Why do some doctors offer face fat grafting over several sessions?

I inject fat in one treatment anticipating fillers or more fat later as maintenance.  When I first learned we did multiple sessions.  either way the results can be good, it all depends on the techniques used to harvest, adding of PRP, purgraft,  and other newer techniques to produce the most pure fat that will have better longevity long term.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Fat does not survive a freezing process so I would recommend the second option since you may be injecting fat cells that will not provide a longterm result.  Nonetheless, see if you can have 2 fat grafting sessions with the fat being harvested and injected at the same time, with the sessions spaced about 6-8 months apart.  This would improve your chances of a long term result.  

Unless the first surgeon has a registered tissue bank, it is against the law in most states to freeze patients' fat and use it later! Check with your local medical society. The second surgeon's approach is appropriate and the way to go. Be sure to consult with a board certified plastic surgeon. Good luck!

I have heard of doctors freezing the fat for later use. This really is like using temporary fillers since the freezing process damages the fat cells. What you want if fat is being used is to have it stay for a very long/permanent amount of time - otherwise why go to the trouble of fat grafting at all. Unfortunately fat grafting in any area, even the face may be complicated by significant loss(death) of the transplanted fat cell during the process of harvesting and transferring them. Therefore surgeons will rightfully tell patients that they may desire touchups at a later time. If the procedure is performed well the need for future injections goes down significantly but still there are patients that want to add more fat at a later date. An important thing to do is to make sure that you ask each surgeon what the success rate is in their hands and why they choose the technique they use. Ultimately you will be rewarded with a more successful result.  Best of Luck   Dr Harrell

I inject fat in one session and tell patients that they may need a future session or more because not all the fat will take. Freezing fat does not work.