How do you keep fat alive after fat transfer?

Author: Johanna Oberbrunner Sr.  |  Last update: Sunday, August 3, 2025

Before and after the procedure, refrain from smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. Both can compromise blood flow and hinder fat cell survival. Eat a healthy diet. Following your fat transfer surgery, we recommend you adhere to a nutrient-dense diet based on healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals.

When do you stop losing fat after fat transfer?

The good news is that the amount of fat your body maintains after fat transfer will not decrease any further after the initial first 4 weeks, and will last forever since it's your own natural tissue.

How much fat survives after fat transfer?

Why Fat Transfer Care Matters. It's important for body contouring patients to know that some of the grafted fat won't make it. In fact, only about 50% to 80% of injected fat cells will survive the transfer.

Can you lose all the fat from a fat transfer?

Results from fat transfer are permanent. However, not all fat cells survive the procedure, so you may not achieve the volume you want. It takes about six months for the injected fat cells to develop a new blood supply and to see final results.

Does fat grow back after fat transfer?

Fat removal is permanent, and while fat cells removed with liposuction will not come back, it is possible to regain weight in that area. After a fat transfer, the fat cells will permanently stay in their new home. However, you may see a proportional change in the volume of fat if you have dramatic weight changes.

Maintenance after fat grafting/lipofilling

How do you retain fat transfer?

Maintain a healthy diet – By adhering to a healthier diet and consuming nutrient-dense calories, you can help maintain an effective bond between your body and the newly transferred fat with proper vitamins and minerals. Examples of appropriate foods include avocados, salmon, and coconut oil.

What is the downside to fat transfer?

Firmness, lumpiness, or asymmetry may occur also. If some of the fat does not survive the transfer, it may actually “die” and become firm and cause discomfort. Cysts may form at the transfer site and require a procedure to remove. A symmetrical body appearance unfortunately may not result from a fat transfer procedure.

How long does it take for a fat transfer to look good?

The treated areas will probably be quite bruised and swollen for a few weeks. You may want to take a couple of weeks off work. It can take up to 6 months for a surgical fat transfer to fully take effect, as some of the injected fat may be reabsorbed by your body during the first few months after the procedure.

How does a BBL look after 10 years?

Year Ten. Ten years after your BBL surgery, you can expect to have the same desired butt from your cosmetic procedure. However, you should stick to a healthy weight and avoid any drastic changes to ensure your butt stays plump and perky and your body remains proportional.

Can your body reject a fat transfer?

Your body can't reject the transferred fat since it's your own tissue.

What is the ideal weight for fat transfer?

There is no specific weight requirement for fat transfer procedures; however, patients should ideally be within a healthy weight range; it's also acceptable for fat transfer patients to be slightly overweight.

What happens if you don't have enough fat for a fat transfer?

Ho offers several solutions to this challenge: Evaluating multiple donor sites: Fat can be harvested from various areas of your body, including the abdomen, thighs, and back. Combining donor fat: If necessary, fat from multiple sites can be combined to accumulate enough for the transfer.

Why do I weigh more after fat transfer?

The transferred fat cells continue to live in the area where they were injected. If a patient has significant weight gain or loss, these fat cells could expand or shrink, affecting the overall results of the procedure.

When do you see final results of fat transfer?

It can take up to six months to see the final results. During this time, the fat cells settle into their new places, where they remain for life.

How do you reverse fat transfer?

Fat transfer reversal involves the removal of previously injected fat to correct issues like overfilling, asymmetry, or unnatural appearance. This procedure can help restore a more natural look and correct the aesthetic imbalances caused by the initial fat grafting.

What can you not do after fat transfer?

ACTIVITY AFTER FAT TRANSFER TREATMENT

Physical Activity: Normal daily activity may be resumed a few days after surgery. Avoid bending, lifting, or straining for one to two weeks. Be extremely careful if wearing any “pull-over the head” clothing. Exercise: Light physical activity may be resumed 2-3 weeks after surgery.

How do I make sure fat survives after BBL?

The idea is to consume enough calories—and the right kinds of calories—to give the newly transferred fat cells the best chance of survival. It's not just about eating more; it's about eating smart. Consuming nutrient-dense foods can support cell health, which in turn helps to solidify the results of your BBL procedure.

What is the cut-off age for BBL?

The ideal age range for BBL is generally between 20 to 40 years, but older patients can still achieve great results with proper planning and medical evaluation. Older patients should consult with their healthcare provider to consider any health changes that may impact the surgery and recovery process.

What happens to BBL when you age?

Factors That Influence BBL Results

Aging: As we age, it's common to experience effects such as volume loss and sagging skin. The overall shape and volume of your BBL should remain consistent, but you may experience sagging with age.

What is the best age for fat transfer?

Ideal candidates for fat transfer should be between the ages of 30 and 65 and in good general health with no circulation problems. You should also have realistic expectations about what the procedure can achieve.

How can I increase my fat transfer success?

Here are 10 things you can do after surgery to help more fat survive:
  1. Wear Compression Garments. ...
  2. After Fat Transfer Surgery, Feed the Fat! ...
  3. Get to Sleeping the Right Way. ...
  4. Don't Go Driving. ...
  5. Sit on Your Thighs. ...
  6. Absolutely No Smoking. ...
  7. Start Exercising (At the Right Time) ...
  8. Stay Hydrated.

What are the cons of face fat transfer?

Cons: Fat transfer can cause some bruising and swelling that may last longer than after a filler injection. The liposuction itself may require an anesthetic, whereas fillers are injected without them. And lastly, the fine lines around the mouths are harder to fill with fat transfer.

Can your body reject your own fat transfer?

Since your own tissues are used, there is no risk of rejection. The biggest benefit of fat transfer is the ability to improve results from other procedures. It creates smoother lines and better contours when paired with buttocks implants or breast augmentation.

Does fat transfer go away if you lose weight?

Weight loss should not have to compromise your fat transfer results. The Kaplan Center for Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery can help enhance the shape of your face through advanced techniques in facial fat grafting. Enjoy fuller cheeks and more defined lips when working with a board-certified doctor, like Dr.

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