Fat Grafting Survival Rate?

Thank you for your question!  Fat survival depends on many different things.  The method of removing the fat from the areas we do not want the prominence and placing the fat into the buttock can be performed many different ways.  The post-operative management is crucial to fat survival.  Sitting on the butt too early can kill otherwise healthy fat detracting from the post-operative result.  The technique to process the collected fat and filtering the unwanted elements from the liposuction can also predict the success of fat survival.  So, in my experience, if each of the different factors are addressed in the overall plan to care for the patient fat survival can be very successful and lifelong.  Hope this helps!

Dear cherryzz,


The percentage varies between surgeons, but the long term results is what you want to look for

You just want to look good, and a good fat transfer will last 10+ years

Touch ups (additional procedures) need to be done in about 20% of patients, but this depends more on how slim the face is before surgery

In the end, it is a great procedure that looks natural and lasts in the proper hands


Best regards,

Nima Shemirani

Fat grafting is an evolving field and we are learning how to make the procedure more reliable, but one thing is true: not all of the grafted fat will survive. There are a variety of factors that effect fat survival. I would caution against any estimate of fat volume survival that are not supported by MRI volumetric calculation. In my practice, I tell all patients that there is a good chance they might need a revisionary fat grafting procedure to obtain a balanced and satisfactory result.

I am sorry that this is such a confusing topic.  Fat grafting does work.  There are several techniques currently being used in various aspects of the procedure.  Fat grafting in my hands has a 70 to 80 percent survival rate. There are certain guidleines that I follow.  I have performed these case since 2005 and am comfortable with the tecniques involved.