There are several different procedures that have emerged as ‘catch-all’ justifications for someone suddenly looking a whole lot different, though perhaps none is as readily floated as ‘fat transfer.’ Tabloids and social media users alike often refer to the surgery when speculating what kind of nip or tuck a celebrity may have undergone—who would say no to recontoured curves?
Dr. Goretti Ho Taghva, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Newport Beach, California, believes the popularity of fat transfer lies in its two-for-one approach: eliminating unwanted fat by redistributing it to other areas. She also notes that there’s a lower risk of complications than with implant-based procedures as well as a more natural feel and result.
Of course, the problem with fat is that depending on your body type, it’s either easy to lose or easy to gain, which means making your fat transfer go the distance requires proper maintenance. New York City board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. David Shafer reveals that the natural average for fat survival is 60–80%, with results varying from patient to patient based on the recovery. Luckily, there are some key steps that can help you achieve optimal fat retention. Here’s how to get the best results post-fat transfer.
1. Compression garments are crucial
Immediately after surgery, Dr. Shafer says patients can experience bruising and swelling around grafted areas, and compression garments can be effective in areas of removed fat to help smooth the skin. “Reducing pressure on the areas of grafted fat is also important so the precious fat cells have time to incorporate into the surrounding tissues.” Typically, doctors recommend wearing compression garments 24/7 (yes, even while sleeping) for at least two to three weeks; after that, you should try to wear them as often as is comfortable until you’re fully recovered. This means you’ll likely need to buy a few different sizes of shapewear as your body adjusts.
2. Avoid massage
While it may be tempting to massage your newly placed fat, Dr. Ho Taghva strongly advises against doing so, as it disrupts the new blood supply to the transferred tissue. On that note, she also clarifies that a good doctor will not inject too much fat in one session, to avoid fat resorption: “The reason some fat survives and some gets absorbed is that the fat cells are all competing to establish blood supply with surrounding tissues. [With subsequent sessions] the newly added fat can build upon the blood supply from the previously transferred fat.”
3. Hydrate like crazy (and don’t smoke!)
Reestablishing the blood supply to your transferred fat is essential to its survival—and this starts with hydration. If you’re not a huge water drinker, work electrolytes into your diet for the first couple of months post-op, to move nutrients around your body. Additionally, if you stopped smoking in the weeks before your surgery, now is the worst possible time to pick the habit back up. Cigarettes can affect the flow of said nutrients as well as oxygen in your bloodstream, which means the quality of blood is affected and your recovery, ultimately, hindered.
4. Avoid weight loss
Both Dr. Ho Tagva and Dr. Shafer claim patients often ask if they should gain weight prior to surgery, but a good candidate should be a healthy, active person who has enough redistributable fat for visible results. On the other side of surgery, patients should also attempt to maintain their weight—any fluctuations can have a significant impact on your newly grafted fat, since weight loss doesn’t discriminate. Moreover, weight can accumulate in areas you may not have experienced high fat levels before (such as arms or love handles).
5. Be careful how you sit
While facial fat transfer patients need to avoid driving only for a couple of days and breast fat transfer patients should hold off for a week, those who’ve undergone Brazilian butt lifts should leave the car at home for anywhere from two weeks to two months. Sitting squishes your newly transferred fat (also try sitting on your thighs rather than buttocks, via a towel or back roller), and using pedals only makes it worse. You want to keep that blood flowing as much as possible; sitting keeps it stagnant.
6. Maintain a healthy diet and don’t overindulge
The million-dollar word when it comes to your post-op diet: protein. Dr. Shafer says a balanced diet is certainly key but that protein supplementation is beyond essential. Protein and fats are necessary to keep your body nourished, so stock up on lean meats, fish, nuts, and beans. A protein shake with an acai bowl can make for an ideal breakfast, since healthy carbohydrates and fructose can also be helpful for general weight maintenance.
7. Stay active—but don’t do anything strenuous
“Moderate exercise is encouraged, but one should hold off on high-intensity exercises the first month after the procedure,” explains Dr. Ho Taghva. Walks, swimming, light calisthenics, Pilates or yoga can help the flow of fluids and blood around the body and aid in blood supply to transferred fat, plus sweating also helps to eliminate toxins. Running or particularly “bouncy” sports can have an impact on facial fat, so they should be avoided for at least two months. Above all, it’s important that strenuous activity be avoided so as to not burn off any fat from the treatment areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fat transfer surgery involves removing unwanted fat from one area of the body and redistributing it to another to enhance contours. It is popular because it offers a natural feel and appearance, reduces unwanted fat, and has a lower risk of complications compared to implant-based procedures.
On average, about 60–80% of the transferred fat survives, but this can vary depending on individual recovery and how well post-operative care instructions are followed. Proper maintenance is essential to maximize fat retention.
Compression garments help reduce bruising and swelling in areas where fat was removed and smooth the skin. They also reduce pressure on grafted fat, allowing fat cells to integrate with surrounding tissues. Patients are usually advised to wear them 24/7 for two to three weeks and then as often as comfortable during recovery.
No, massaging the transferred fat is discouraged because it can disrupt the new blood supply essential for fat survival. Proper blood supply helps the fat cells establish themselves and prevents fat resorption.
Hydration is crucial because it supports the reestablishment of blood supply to the transferred fat, which is vital for its survival. Drinking plenty of water and electrolytes helps move nutrients throughout the body, promoting healing and fat retention.
Smoking negatively impacts blood flow and oxygen delivery, which are critical for healing and fat survival. Resuming smoking after surgery can hinder recovery and reduce the quality of blood supply to the transferred fat.
Maintaining a stable weight is important because weight loss can reduce the volume of transferred fat, while weight gain may cause fat accumulation in unintended areas. Significant fluctuations can compromise the longevity and appearance of the results.
Patients who have undergone Brazilian butt lifts should avoid sitting for two weeks to two months to prevent pressure on the newly transferred fat. When sitting is necessary, using a towel or back roller to sit on the thighs rather than the buttocks helps protect the fat and maintain blood flow.
A balanced diet rich in protein and healthy fats is essential to nourish the body and support fat survival. Including lean meats, fish, nuts, beans, and protein supplements like shakes can help maintain weight and promote healing.
Moderate exercise such as walking, swimming, light calisthenics, Pilates, or yoga is encouraged to improve blood flow and aid recovery. However, strenuous or high-intensity activities, especially those that are bouncy or impact facial fat, should be avoided for at least one to two months to prevent fat loss.
