How Long Does a Fat Transfer Last?

Restoring areas of the face and body where you notice lost volume in the skin typically means using dermal fillers or lifting techniques to address your concerns. However, if you want to enjoy long-lasting and natural-looking results, you may want to consider a treatment such as a fat transfer at Nuance Cosmetic Surgery in Folsom, CA.

In general, the results of a fat transfer treatment can last for several years or even a lifetime, depending on the specific treatment you have. A body-contouring fat grafting procedure can last for decades, while a fat injection to the face can last for over two years or even longer. One important factor in determining how long your results will last is the amount of fat being transferred and the severity of your volume loss.

That said, even if the results in your treatment area last a lifetime, other parts of your face or body may experience age-related volume loss in the future. This means you may want to have additional fat grafting treatments to maintain your desired youthful appearance.

The best way to help your results last longer is to maintain a steady body weight after your treatment is complete. The fat that has been transferred to your face or body will be highly dependent on your body weight, which means that if you lose a significant amount of weight after your treatment, your results will gradually fade.

Using good skincare products and protecting your skin from the sun can also be important for maintaining long-lasting results. Even areas of your body that have been treated with a fat grafting procedure should be protected from potential UV damage so the transferred fat can be preserved for as long as possible.

There are several areas of the face and body where fat grafting treatments can prove highly effective. For the face, the most common treatment areas include the under-eyes, lips, cheeks, nasolabial folds, jawline, and even the chin. Fat injections for the face can be used to correct certain types of scars, such as deep scars from acne or previous skin trauma.

For the body, transferring fat from one area to another can be great for body contouring goals. Breast augmentation with fat injections, a Brazilian butt lift, and other fat injections can transform the shape of your body so you can finally achieve an hourglass shape.

Typically, the fat used for fat injections is harvested from areas of the body where there is already abundant fat. Areas such as the abdomen, hips, and thighs are ideal for fat harvesting. Removing unwanted fat from these areas can help with your body contouring goals, particularly because your surgeon will remove substantial fat to harvest enough viable fat cells to survive the transfer process.

The technique used to harvest unwanted fat is liposuction. Today’s liposuction is gentler than ever before, which means it causes less trauma to the body and the fat cells that are being harvested. You can speak with your surgeon about using liposuction on multiple areas of the body during your procedure so you can achieve your body goals.

The procedure for this treatment can take a few hours to complete depending on the extent of your treatment. First, fat cells will need to be harvested with liposuction, which is a procedure that can take up to two hours. From there, the harvested fat will need to be processed and purified to separate living fat cells from dead cells and unwanted fluids. Then, the fat will be injected into your desired treatment areas.

There are several things you will need to do to prepare for your fat grafting procedure. For two weeks before your surgery, you will need to stop any sun tanning or sunbathing activities, along with certain medications, vitamins, and supplements that can cause blood-thinning side effects. You will need to stop smoking or using tobacco products for at least one month before your procedure.

On the day of your surgery, you should not wear any body lotion, perfume, makeup, or body jewelry. It’s likely that your procedure will require general anesthesia, so you will need to follow your surgeon’s instructions about not eating or drinking for at least eight hours before your treatment. You will need to arrange for transportation home after your procedure.

After your surgery, you may not be able to return to work for one to two weeks. At home, many of your activities will be restricted, such as vigorous exercise and sunbathing. You should rest as much as possible, stick to a soft food diet, and take all of your prescription medications as prescribed. You will also need to follow directions for dressing the surgical site and attend any required follow-up appointments.

Because your treatment will involve liposuction, you may need to wear a compression garment for several weeks. The compression garment will reduce swelling and speed up your recovery time. Depending on your treatment, you may need a compression garment for the liposuction surgical site and a compression garment for the fat injection site, such as a compression bra.

The best candidates for a fat transfer are people who have a moderate amount of excess fat that can be used to harvest fat for the treatment. You should be within your healthy weight range for your age, gender, and height. You may need to complete labs and exams to verify that you are eligible for this surgery.

The results of a fat grafting procedure or a fat injection treatment can last for several years. Unlike dermal fillers, which are gradually broken down by the body, healthy fat cells transferred to a new area of the body can last a lifetime. If you think this treatment is right for your aesthetic goals, contact Nuance Cosmetic Surgery in Folsom, CA.