What precautions should you take after fat grafting?

Author: Ardith Lynch  |  Last update: Sunday, March 30, 2025

NO heavy lifting, pushing or pulling of 10 lbs. or more for 6 weeks. Approximately 6-8 weeks post op strenuous activity will be allowed. NO HOT or WARM compresses. NO COLD or ICE compresses to the area.

What not to do after fat grafting?

It is important to avoid any heavy lifting over 5 lbs, strenuous activity, and exercise for one month following surgery. Please avoid bending over and lower at your knees when reaching downward. Any activity that increases your heart rate and blood pressure increases your risk of bleeding and increased swelling.

What are the post op instructions for fat grafting?

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. Remember to start easy and build back up to your previous exercise levels.

How long does it take to recover from fat grafting?

The recovery process following fat grafting lasts approximately six weeks. You will only need to take one to two weeks off from work depending on whether you work an office job or your job is physically laborious.

How do I take care of my face after fat transfer?

After a facial fat transfer, follow your surgeon's instructions. This may include using cold compresses and sleeping with your head elevated. Staying hydrated, avoiding smoking, and refraining from putting pressure on the treated areas are also important.

Fat Transfer Post Operative Instructions | Dr. Kristina Tansavatdi

How do you maximize fat survival after fat transfer?

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.

How do you sit after fat transfer?

Use a pillow: you can keep pressure off your buttocks by placing a pillow on the chair or seat. Cylindrical pillows are the best alternative when you need to sit down for specific activities like driving. Sit on your thighs: you can also try sitting on your thighs while leaving your butt suspended in the air.

Can I sit after fat grafting?

In addition, blood must flow to the treatment site to provide oxygen and nutrients to the grafted fat cells. You should avoid sitting or lying directly on your buttocks for at least eight weeks after the surgery.

What is the downtime for fat grafting?

Some people can return to work and regular activities after a week, while others need two weeks or more. Talk to your plastic surgeon about recovery and what to expect for your specific fat transfer procedure.

How do you sleep after fat grafting?

Keep your head elevated about 30 degrees when possible and keep a pillow between your legs when on your side for the first week. For fat transfer to the face or other areas stay on your back.

How long do you wear compression garment after fat grafting?

You should wear your compression garment 24/7 in the initial three to six weeks post-op as guided by your plastic surgeon, even while you're sleeping.

What to eat after fat grafting?

It is imperative you continue to eat a healthy diet to protect your results now and long into the future. It is important to drink plenty of fluids so that you do not become dehydrated. A higher protein intake is recommended to help your body heal. Consider adding protein bars, powder, or shakes to your daily intake.

When can I sleep on my side after fat transfer to hips?

You will be able to sleep on your back and your side after six weeks. Until then, you will need to sleep on your stomach to avoid putting pressure on the fat grafted areas. We cannot emphasize enough how important it is to adhere to these post-op aftercare and sleeping instructions. Dr.

How to sleep after fat dissolving injections?

For the first 24 hours after your fat dissolving injections, you should avoid:
  1. Intense exercise.
  2. Excessive alcohol.
  3. Smoking.
  4. Sleeping to vertically (1-2 pillows is fine)

Can I drink coffee after fat grafting?

Avoid alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine, for these will dramatically slow the healing process.

What are the stages of fat graft take?

Fat graft undergoes acute repair phase until 3 months and chronic absorption phase from 3 to 12 months. The balance between the rates of lipid resorption, necrosis, and successful adipocyte replacement plays a prominent role in determining final graft volume retention.

How do you maximize fat grafting?

4 Ways to Maximize Fat Survival After Fat Transfer
  1. Adjust your sleeping position. Putting pressure on the treated area (i.e., the area where the fat was re-injected) can prompt fat reabsorption. ...
  2. Avoid smoking and alcohol. ...
  3. Eat a healthy diet. ...
  4. Listen to your body.

Should I massage fat grafting?

Discourage massage and excessive facial animation immediately following fat grafting. These restrictions are to prevent migration of fat away from the desired areas of treatment.

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.

What are the hard lumps after fat grafting?

While lumps after fat grafting can be concerning, they aren't cancerous, nor do they increase breast cancer probability. Nevertheless, they should be checked and removed, as they can be painful and cause the breasts to appear misshapen.

Can fat grafting gone wrong?

However, it also carries with it some risks that patients should be aware of before undergoing the procedure. The most common side effects include swelling and bruising, infection, necrosis, complications from anesthesia, fat embolism syndrome, calcification of grafted fat, nerve damage, and unsatisfactory results.

How much fat survives after fat grafting?

Typically, fat graft survival is approximately 60%, which means the transferred fat will go on to survive in its new location. As such, Dr. Daugherty may graft more fat to promote optimal results. Some patients may require multiple fat transfer grafts to achieve their desired results.

Does fat transfer sag?

It is unlikely that a fat transfer will cause the skin in that area to sag later in life. The skin will sag due to the effects of gravity and aging, not due to the volume restoration that you can achieve with fat transfer.

What happens if you lose weight after fat transfer?

Is it safe to lose weight after a fat transfer? It is safe for people to lose weight after fat grafting in Edgewater, NJ. But as we mentioned, significant weight fluctuations can affect your results and make your features droop again.

What is the recovery process for fat transfer?

Commonly, you can expect some feelings of recovery to occur within 48 hours of the procedure. Normally, and every patient responds differently, you should expect a full recovery within four to six weeks after your procedure. With more intense procedures, or in certain cases, full recovery may take up to four months.

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