Can Fat Transfers Cause Unwanted Fat Redistribution (As Liposuction Often Does)?

Question

Considering that only ~ 40% of fat survives in regular procedures and only a minor % is used in total of high-density fat transfers, out of the 100% fat suctioned does this mean that (if calorie intake is the same) the unused or absorbed fat will increase the likelihood of unwanted fat distribution? I'm considering a fat transfer to reverse bad fat redistribution from a ultrasonic lipo procedure but the risk of increased visceral fat concerns me. I'm 124lb, 5'3". http://tinyurl.com/7apdwn6

Michele A. Shermak, MD · Answer

Liposuction and fat grafting have not been scientifically shown to change fat distribution in the body. Areas treated with liposuction may not attract fat as readily because the fat cell number is reduced and scarring develops, but this does not mean other areas are more prone to attracting fat. Areas treated with fat graft have been shown to become more full with weight gain.

Jon F. Harrell, DO, FACS · Answer

In your case the amount of fat needed will probably not pose a problem. Any fat that doesn't survive the transfer is simply cleaned up and disposed of by the body. The main issue with fat redistribution is in patients gaining significant weight after liposuction. Since a large amount of fat cells have been removed by liposuction the body will store the newly accumulated excess fat in areas that may not have stored as much fat previously. This may be good if the fat goes to the breast or buttock area or not so good if it goes to an area you would not like to see more fat in. Hope this helps  Dr Harrell

Daniel P. Markmann, MD · Answer

The idea of "Fat Redistribution" is a commonly talked about issue.  People who have liposuction who think that just because they finally have the shape that they have always wanted, that they no longer need to diet or exercise, and they tend to gain weight.  Now, if they have had liposuction to remove their problem area of fat which was where they always saw their weight gain first, then when they gain weight, they will see it in other places where they typically didn't see it before.  When you have liposuction, your weight should drop by about 2 pounds per liter of fat that was removed (or about 1.5 lbs per liter of aspirate). 
	I don't know what your weight was prior to getting this done, but you should have been several pounds heavier than you are right now. Our bodies are solid.  Fat cells cannot move around our bodies.  "Fat Redistribution" may occur over many years with hormonal changes, but not over a short period of time. 
	I'm really not sure what you mean by "40% survives in regular procedures" Typically 70-80% of fat survives in Fat Grafting procedures.  Nor do I understand what you mean by "only a minor % is used in total of high density fat transfer" ???  I have been doing fat grafting for over 14 years, and don't understand what your point is.  Liposuction has NEVER been shown to increase visceral fat!

Peter A. Aldea, MD · Answer

As one gets older, decreasing metabolism, increasing demands from work and less available time  make it HARDER to focus on cutting fats and carbohydrates make it harder to keep the weight down. The fat content in our fat cell storage system is a reflection of our long term caloric balance. Unlike our increasing national debt which is caused by huge spending without commensuratew increases in revenues, we are fat and gain weight because we STILL eat much more calories than we consume by physical activity.

	For many people, Liposuction is a Monopoly "Get Out of Jail" which is interpreted as a license to eat more and exercise less. We have all seen it in some of our patients. The article you refer to basically reaches the same conclusion citing Nobel laureate Milton Friedman's famous line "There is NO Free Lunch".  If you are NOT willing to continue burning calories after the liposuction, and are thinking of slipping back into eating high carb high fat items maybe you should not have liposuction. Doing so CAN force excess calories you ingest and you fail to burn to be directed into still existing fat storage cells elsewhere in the body.

	Liposuction is just a sculpting technique to help you with a change in habits YOU are responsible for.

Can Fat Transfers Cause Unwanted Fat Redistribution (As Liposuction Often Does)?

Answers (4)

Answer: Liposuction and Unwanted Fat Distribution - The Facts

Answer: Liposuction and Unwanted Fat Distribution - The Facts

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Can Fat Transfers Cause Unwanted Fat Redistribution (As Liposuction Often Does)?

Answers (4)

Answer: Liposuction and Unwanted Fat Distribution - The Facts

Answer: Liposuction and Unwanted Fat Distribution - The Facts

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Everything you need to know about Facial Fat Transfer

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.