Yes, fat transfer results are permanent but not all fat will survive. It's important for the plastic surgeon undertaking your treatment to be experienced in the surgery and have a good understanding of how to optimise the fat uptake.

Between 50 - 70% of the transferred fat is retained long term, and will last just like normal fat, including growth with weight gain. With time, however, it will begin to naturally reduce alongside your other fat deposits. However, this will take many years.

Some factors will impact the longevity of your results:

• The skill of your surgeon: How the fat was harvested and purified, and how and where it was injected all impact longevity. The more skilled the surgeon and the better his/her understanding of the technique, the longer-lasting the results.
• The technique employed: A process called micro fat grafting, although labour-intensive, is the best way to ensure that the highest percentage of grafted fat will take.
• How well your body adapts to the transferred fat: The injected fat must establish a new blood supply from your body and receive the nourishment it needs for survival. When this happens, results can and often are permanent; however, there may be a percentage of fat that does not take, which is why additional procedures are sometimes necessary. Lifestyle factors such as smoking can impact this.

Generally, fat survives best when put into areas with its own abundant blood supply. The face, which is so well vascularised, picks up a new supply quickly and the majority of the fat survives. Results are often at their best I the facial region, as a result.

There are a few side effects to watch out for when undergoing a fat transfer, although the procedure is generally safe there will always be a few underlying risks. These fat transfer side effects include, but are not limited to:

• Minor bruising and swelling
• Small scars which usually fade through time or with over the counter products
• Temporary numbness
• Loss of some fat from the injected area