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2 Weeks Post Fat Grafting Question. Could most swelling be gone at 2 weeks?

I'm 2 weeks post fat grafting to malar, buccal areas in cheek and temples. Doc and I agreed to transfer 30cc of purified fat, which he ended up using on my face. I feel like most of my swelling is gone: 1) Could most swelling be gone at 2 weeks? 2) Is this close to my final result? I know I'll lose some fat over next few months but how much is lost after 2 weeks? 3) Would 30cc give me a substantial (noticeable) correction? I asked for that and hope to see a "fuller" version of myself. Thank you.

Doctor Answers 6

February 28th, 2017

Fat transfer to the face

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30 cc is a substantial amount of fat for the face and should give you a noticeable difference. The amount needed is dependent on how much volume loss you have and what exactly you are trying to achieve. After  2 weeks, most of the immediate swelling is reduced but there will be an inflammatory wound healing process going on for the next few months. In this process fat lobules will shrink as they attempt to reconnect to the facial vasculature. Once there is vasularization, then the fat cells can absorb lipids from the blood and enlarge. This whole process can take up to one year to come to fruition.

Omeed Memar, MD, PhD


Chicago Dermatologic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 38 reviews

September 12th, 2016

Facial Fat Transfer

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After facial fat grafting, it usually takes 2 weeks for swelling to resolve.  After that, over the next 2 to 3 months, the fat will continues to heal in its new location.  Your retention should be approximately 50 to 75%.  Whether this is an adequate volume will depend on how much volume depletion you had prior to surgery.  Thank you for your question.

Joseph C. Berardi, MD
July 25th, 2015

Swelling Post Fat Grafting

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Thank you for your question. Swelling typically dissipates six weeks post surgery. If you have any concerns please follow up with your board certified plastic surgeon directly. All the best. 

Learn more: http://www.careplasticsurgery.com/

Brian Coan, MD, FACS
July 21st, 2015

Fat grafting and swelling

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Dear Anonymous59,

Thank you for your clinical post. Fat grafting to the face can be an excellent way to provide volumization and shape to deflated or developmentally under projected and volumized areas of the face. Everybody heals differently from surgery, however, one would not expect the swelling from the fat grafting to be gone at 2 weeks, but rather most swelling following this procedure can take between 6 and 12 weeks to resolve. Generally most of the swelling is gone at 3 months and any fat cells that were going to survive, pick up a blood supply and thrive in the recipient area would have been stabilized by 3 months. I would anticipate a more long-term result will be visualized at this 3-6 month mark. Any contour shape enhancement of your face at this point should be stable fat grafts then will grow or shrink depending upon your metabolic and caloric status.

From a quantitative perspective it is a very common number 33 cc’s of fat grafting to multiple facial areas and in general we would anticipate between 30-70% fat graft survival depending on the technique deployed and a number of factors related to the recipient and donor site.

It would be important that you maintain contact with your operative physician as they are in the best position to understand how the procedure was performed and what the endpoints of your fat grafting outcomes should be.

I hope this information has been of some assistance and best of luck.

For more information, please review the link below.

R. Stephen Mulholland, M.D.
Certified Plastic Surgeon
Yorkville, Toronto

Learn more: https://www.spamedica.com/cosmetic-plastic-surgery-toronto/fat-grafting/

R. Stephen Mulholland, MD
July 5th, 2015

Fat grafting and swelling

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Everyone heals differently, but I doubt that your swelling is almost completely gone by two weeks. This often takes 6-8 weeks minimum and often residual swelling can last 4-6 months.

Learn more: http://www.stevenwallachmd.com/non-invasive-procedures/fat-injections/

Steven Wallach, MD
July 4th, 2015

Fat transfer to face

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Thanks for question but hard to answer completely without pre and post pictures to see if 30 cc of fat is enough. As far as swelling, it would be unlinkely that ALL of your swelling has resolved by 2 weeks.  Everyone's body reacts differently to surgery so we usually talk in general.
I tell my patients to wait at least 3 months to see their final result.
Khashayar Mohebali, MD, FACS

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.