Is fat grafting to lips permanent?

By 6 weeks, you should see much of the final result, but it may take 3 to 6 months to realize a stable result.  In general, fat grafting has a permanence in the face of greater than 50%.Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

Dear michelle MM W,
I perform a lot of lip injections with fillers such as juvederm and it works great. Many times I need to put more in one side than the other to attempt to even out the vermillion border (The red line of the lip). This helps provide more symmetry at times.
For patients looking for a more long lasting result, I recommend fat grafting. That is, using your own bodies fat to make your lips naturally look more shapely. The bonus is that the results last many many years.
In general, I avoid using permanent prosthesis because I find that the lips are such dynamic and sensitive structures, the end result is not natural.
Daniel Barrett, 
MD Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon

Yes, fat grafting is permanent. Keep in mind, fat transfer technique is important for successful fat transfer. I recommend water-assisted fat harvesting which gives pure fat to transfer and combine with platelet rich plasma (PRP) to get the most viable and sustainable fat cells. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with an expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Fat grafting, especially into the lips, does have some unpredictability which translates into the need for multiple sessions. Usually 3 sessions will achieve a lasting result with your own, living fat.  If you expect to get a nice permanent lip augmentation after one session of fat grafting, you will be disappointed.  So PLAN on getting 3 (on average) sessions.  Trying to do it in one or two session is tempting fate by stuffing too much fat into the lips at one time.  This could cause excessive bruising and swelling at best. At worst, it could cause lumpy fat necrosis or giant ridiculous lips if an unexpected amount actually survived!

Hello Michelle MM W,Fat grafting involves harvesting fat from one part of the body and injecting it in another part of the body.  There are different techniques used with some using small (nano) fat and others more structural components.  These can be combined with other products like PRP.  As far as the longevity not all of the fat that will transfer will survive.  On average it ranges from 30-70% graft take rate.  What does end up taking does tend to be permanent. I hope this helps and good luck.  

Thank you for your question. All fat grafting is technically permanent - however, in practice, fat grafting to the lips is very tough to obtain worthwhile results because the fat doesn't seem to take as well in this area. It may be because the lips swell so much, or maybe because they are constantly moving, but in this region patients typically need multiple treatments to obtain the results they are looking for. Best of luck!