Liposuction: Where does the fat go?

Question

What happens to the fat after its removed? If someone decides to have it transferred to another area of their body what does the doctor do to the fat?

J. Jason Wendel, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question about liposuction, liposhaping.The harvested fat is washed and prepared for fat transfer.It survives for the first few days by plasmatic imbibition and then new blood vessels grow into it.30-40% of the fat doesn't survive.To be sure, see two or more experienced, board-certified Plastic Surgeons for a complete evaluation to make sure you are a good candidate and that it is safe for you to have surgery.I hope this helps.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

As the fat from liposuction comes out of the patient it is handled as a biohazardous material. The facility where the procedure was performed is responsible for packing this operative byproduct and disposing of it responsibly.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Liposuction and fat transfer is very helpful in transforming a physique in good candidates.  I
would search for the board certified plastic surgeon who you feel is
most likely to give you the best results and who performs hundreds of
these procedures each year. I would look at patient reviews as well as
before and after photos on that surgeon's website.Kenneth Hughes, MDLos Angeles, CA

Matthew H. Steele, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question.  If you do not transfer the fat then it is simply discarded as medical waste.  If you choose to have it transferred elsewhere, the fat may be washed to remove oils and broken cells and centrifuged to concentrate the cells and remove excess fluid.  The are varying opinions on what if anything needs to be done to the fat before it is injected back into the patient.  I typically wash it with salt water prior to injection.  Good luck.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

The fat is either thrown away or transferred back as grafted fat.Fat is human tissue and needs to be discarded as biohazard material.Fat is often centrifuged prior to grafting. This allows the removal of oil from damaged fat cells and liquid harvested with the fat to be removed.Some surgeons isolate stem cells prior to fat transfer.Best of luck,Mats Hagstrom, M.D.

Liposuction: Where does the fat go?

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