Do fat transfers last? 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.
Fat transfer results can last 2-5 years or longer, but some fat cells may be absorbed by the body over time and touch-ups may be required. Factors like weight changes, aging, and the patient's overall health can impact results. A qualified plastic surgeon can provide more information on long-term outcomes.
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.
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.
Skin Elasticity
When fat is injected into less elastic skin, it may not hold its shape as well over time. Older patients often notice a quicker decline in the appearance of grafted areas. The skin may sag or develop wrinkles around the grafted fat.
Generally speaking, fat grafting is ideal for men and women of all ages. In fact, people from 18-70 years old may benefit from fat transfer therapies. You are a good candidate if you're in good health, are a non-smoker and do not suffer from medical conditions that may limit your ability to properly heal.
Facial fat grafting is a form of permanent filler. However, retention of the injected fat is approximately 60%. Simultaneous injection of platelet rich plasma or PRP, harvested and processed from your blood, improves fat survival.
Fat Transfer - Associated Costs
Be sure to ask your surgeon what the approximate cost will be for your specific fat transfer surgery during your consultation. The average cost for a fat transfer is $2,085*. *The above statistic comes from the 2021 Aesthetic Plastic Surgery National Databank Statistics.
In fact, only about 50% to 80% of injected fat cells will survive the transfer. The biggest reason for this? Inadequate blood supply. For your transferred fat cells to survive, they must quickly establish a blood supply in their new location.
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.
Your body can't reject the transferred fat since it's your own tissue.
Smaller breast size: Fat transfer increases breast size by one or two cup sizes. If you want larger breasts, you'll need breast implants. Sagging breasts: A fat transfer makes breasts larger, but breasts may still sag. You need a breast lift to get firm-looking breasts.
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.
Truth: While fat transfer offers a natural enhancement, it typically increases breast size by only one cup at most. Unlike implants, which provide a more dramatic change, fat transfer is best for subtle, natural-looking volume enhancement. If you're seeking a significant size boost, implants may be the better option.
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.
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.
There are limits to how much fat can be grafted at one time so multiple procedures are usually needed – two on average -- to get the results you seek. It can take up to six months or more to achieve your final shape.
The fatty cells introduced to the facial area during facial fat grafting are subject to the same biological processes as all fat cells, so they will disappear with significant weight loss.
After fat transfer surgery, it is normal to have a moderate degree of swelling related to the procedure. Initially this swelling is manifest by a certain degree of firmness, which over time, will soften. Long-term, the area should not feel hard.
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.
Immediately after your surgery, you may notice that your face looks fuller than you'd expected. This is a normal and temporary part of having a facial fat transfer.
Fat transfer is a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure. It uses your fat to enhance your lips, breasts, butt or other body parts. Fat transfer can provide a plumper, more youthful look and repair scars. Plastic surgeons also perform fat transfer for reconstructive surgery.