How Long Do Fat Transfer Injections Last?

Question

I am considering getting fat transfer injections to my face to fill in hollow areas. What percent of the injected fat will stay? How long will it last? Are there different types of fat transfer methods and what makes one better than the other?

Justin Yovino, MD, FACS · Answer

The survival percentage varies from patient to patient and from body locations.  The range of survival percentage can be from nothing to 90%.

Ron Shelton, MD · Answer

the longevity of fat injections is quite capricious, in fact, it is the most unpredictable aspect of my cosmetic practice. Many patients receive long term correction, but some do not obtain any meaningful correction and it is not possible to predict who those patients would be prior to the injections. There are different ways of injecting, deeply, in the muscle or in the fatty layer. Small cannula, centrifuging the fat prior to injection to separate out the liquid anesthetic are techniques that may help.

Michael Law, MD · Answer

Not all fat that is grafted will survive. In some areas, up to 90% of grafted fat may survive. In other areas, particularly hollow areas without a foundation or scaffolding may require more than a single session of fat grafting in order for acheive the ideal result.If a physician is new to fat grafting, and especially if they are not confident about their instrumentation and technique, then they may tend to over-graft thinking that a large amount of the fat probably will not survive. However if a large amount of that grafted fat does survive, the patient is left with an unnatural and sometimes bizarre look. Another part of the problem can be the physician's aesthetic vision and understanding of facial aging. There are facial areas where adding volume restores a more youthful appearance, but others where adding volume creates a distinctly unnatural appearance.  Balance and overall facial harmony is important as well - for example, overfilling the jawline and lower face will create a heavy, square-jawed, masculine appearance.

Houtan Chaboki, MD · Answer

Fat injections are a good option for natural facial enhancement. Fat injections, however, have a certain degree of variability on the duration of the results. Fat transfer has the potential to have permanent enhancement, but results may be as short as a few months. Fat injections, just as many areas of medicine, are both science and art. Speak with a plastic surgeon to help determine if fat injections are appropriate for you.

Samir Shureih, MD · Answer

Fat injections or fat grafts are injector dependant. The fat need to be cleaned, purified and the injection site need to be optimal for the graft to take or stay.

	Once the fat acquires new blood supply it will stay for long. How long? we do not know exactly, but more than 5 years.

	The amount that stays or take. varies but well done procedure will have at least 80% chance of take

How Long Do Fat Transfer Injections Last?

Answers (7)

Answer: Duration of Facial Fat Transfer

Answer: Duration of Facial Fat Transfer

Answer: Fat injections

Answer: Fat injections

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Everything you need to know about Facial Fat Transfer

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How Long Do Fat Transfer Injections Last?

Answers (7)

Answer: Duration of Facial Fat Transfer

Answer: Duration of Facial Fat Transfer

Answer: Fat injections

Answer: Fat injections

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Recommended reading

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.