How Long Do Fat Grafting Results Last?

I am not a fan of fat grafting to the face at all.  It is impossible to control or predict whether the fat will stay or gradually resorb.  Even worse it could leave lumps that are hard to remove.  It’s an operation with a low rate of satisfaction.  Unfortunately cheek implants aren’t really much better.

Fat grafting is one of my favorite procedures. Most studies estimate that about 30-50% of the fat lives and is permanent. This is great news. The main issue is that we have to over inject people to get the results we want. It is not uncommon that people require two fat grafting sessions because once some of it absorbs they want that fuller look back. 
The facebook video below explains some of the benefits of fat transfer. I also included a video of periorbital rejuvenation because I just made it haha. 
Hope this helps.
Best of luck,
DrC

This is a very common question as patients want the result
to last if they are going to undergo surgery.




The Brazilian Butt Lift is so popular because it enables
your plastic surgeon to transform your entire shape. Liposuction is performed over several areas
depending on the individual patient needs, but typically of the flanks,
abdomen, back and thighs. So this is
going to change your entire shape.



The results tend to last for years to come if your weight is
stable. Just like any liposuction procedure,
this does not prevent your body from being able to put on weight.



With the fat transfer patients typically lose about 30% of the
fat that is initially transferred however the fat that is present six months
post-op will remain as long as your weight is stable. If you lose weight you can lose some of the transferred
fat, and if you gain weight you can increase the size of your buttock. The benefit of the fat transfer is that the
fat is your own and acts just like the fat in other parts of your body.



If you are at a healthy weight and maintain that you will be
able to enjoy your results for year to come.
The Brazilian Butt Lift is one of the procedures that patient are almost
universally extremely happy with after surgery.




When considering this procedure it is very important that
you have your procedure performed by a board certified plastic surgeon.



I hope this helps.

Fat grafting can last up to six weeks without the body naturally absorbing the fat. The fat that survives continues to exists like living tissue and sometimes a small amount of fat can gradually be reabsorbed. For the best results consult with a board certified plastic surgeon. 

Fat transfer results are permanent, but not all fat will survive. Harvesting is important to fat transfer. I use 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. This can be combined with Sculptra, depending on the treatment area, to improve the outcome. Volume and contouring of the cheeks can be created with well-placed fillers (Voluma, Radiesse, Bellafill) and Sculptra. Implants or fat are both alternatives. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with a facial sculpting expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Hello,
Usually 50-60% of fat survives, and that fat stays with you indefinitely. I do it in less than an hour in my office under local anesthesia only. There is minimal pain and minimal swelling. The fat that lives will stay forever. Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions.

Mark G. Albert, M.D.

NYC Aesthetic Surgeon

Fat grafting results can be permanent and long term results can usually be seen after 4 to 6 months of healing.  Fat does provide a soft and natural looking volumizing effect in face contouring treatments.  A careful evaluation of your face with help decide between cheek implants vs. fat, or both in some cases.  Fat survival can be unpredictable and in some cases, may require more than 1 treatment to obtain the desired result.

Thank you for asking the question....
Fat grafting may be a permanent option for areas..I advice you to discuss the procedure with a plastic surgeon board certified .
Good luck 
Güncel Öztürk MD

Fat transfer is a wonderful way to naturally and beautifully restore lost facial volume. Although there are numerous options to revolumize, fat transfer has some major advantages: it is the longest lasting option to restore volume in the face, functioning essentially as native facial fat once it is transferred; it is your own fat being used, thus is 100% biocompatible; there is an abundant amount available on almost everybody, so there are no limitations to getting the volume you need and achieving full correction; fat is one of our best sources for stem cells, called adipocyte derived stem cells, which yield additional benefits due to the growth factors contained and their effects collateral tissue growth that extends well beyond just the zone of transferred fat, helping contribute to a global improvement in the facial aesthetic.
An extensive amount of planning goes into the fat transfer process, with a comprehensive look at the balance and proportion of the face being blended with the aging changes and anatomy of each individual patient.
The procedure itself is performed utilizing local anesthesia with or without sedation. Fat can be acquired from numerous sites, but choosing a site is usually best planned to help contour the body in the process, thus the abdomen, thighs, and waist are commonly utilized. 
After the fat is acquired, it is processed and prepared into micro- and/or nanofat, which have different properties and are chosen based on the desired areas to be treated. Transfer is then performed with blunt tipped cannulas, as opposed to needles. Different providers will likely have different processing protocols, but I prefer to maximize the stem cell content of my fat, further magnifying it’s benefit. This is a time-consuming and intricate process, thus some people take shortcuts, but the long-term benefits are well worth the extra effort in the preparation process. I also utilize other regenerative medicine modalities, such as platelet rich plasma, to improve the outcome from the fat transfer and expedite the recovery time.
Recovery from fat transfer includes swelling and some firmness that is subtle and can last several weeks to months after the procedure. The transferred fat establishes a blood supply in its new location, a very favorable process which contributes to that inflammation and swelling. 
It is key that the physician performing the fat transfer is well-versed in panfacial volumization, allowing an equal balance and harmony to be created and maintained in the face. Fat should not just be utilized in large volumes in a few spots, but instead utilized in strategic volumes over multiple areas of the aging face.
Overall, fat transfer provides an incredible option to restore volume that is very natural, long lasting and has the added benefit of a healthy dose of stem cells to rejuvenate aging tissues. 
To ensure you are receiving the highest level of care, seek out a modernly trained, new-school dermatologic surgeon, oculoplastic surgeon, facial plastic surgeon or plastic surgeon who is board certified and fellowship trained in one of these “core four” cosmetic specialties. Membership in organizations like the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery help to identify a highly trained surgeon.
Cameron Chesnut
#realself500 Physician

Fat transfer, or fat injections, use your own fat from another part of your body by using a blunt cannula (tiny hollow rod) and syringe or suction machine, and then processed to remove its local anesthetic that was injected to the "donor" site prior to the procedure. The fat cells are then injected into the desired recipient area but the fat cells need to receive a constant new supply of oxygen to live. If the volume of fat is too great, then the center of the mass of fat won't get the new oxygen as its further away from the surrounding host tissue that has the blood flow because oxygen can only travel from cell to cell so far. The center of the mass of new fat may die and get resorbed and rarely cysts form. Newer techniques involve injecting smaller aliquots (tiny dots of grouped fat cells) along tracts delivered in different planes so that the cells are surrounded by more host tissue and can get more oxygen by diffusion until new blood vessels grow into the area. The living fat cells usually last indefinitely but of course continue to age as the rest of us. Risks exist with all procedures including fat injections so be sure to discuss this with your physician in consultation.The information provided in Dr. Shelton's answer is for educational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice.  The information provided should not be relied upon as a substitute for consultations with a qualified health professional who may be familiar with your individual medical needs