What should you know about fat transfer revision?

Revision does not always mean adding more fat. Depending on the finding, a clinician may discuss observation while tissues settle, removing or reducing excess volume, adding grafted fat to a hollow, or combining approaches for contour balance. Fat may change as the treated area heals, and the final plan depends on the location, available donor tissue, scars, and your health history.

Bring details of the original procedure, including the date, treated sites, donor sites, technique if known, and any healing problems. Photos from before treatment can help show how the shape changed.

Arrange an in-person review once your clinician considers healing sufficient for assessment. Share medicines, allergies, smoking or vaping, previous reactions, and any current swelling, tenderness, lumps, or skin changes. Ask whether imaging or a staged plan is needed, what result is realistic, and how long another recovery period may last.

Avoid arranging a second procedure solely from an early photograph or a temporary change in swelling. Follow the original aftercare instructions until reviewed, and do not massage or inject the area unless your treating clinician directs you.

Contact the treating clinic promptly for worsening pain, spreading redness, increasing warmth, drainage, fever, sudden skin colour change, or swelling that is rapidly getting worse. Seek urgent medical help for trouble breathing, chest pain, fainting, or sudden weakness. These symptoms need assessment rather than a routine revision appointment.

Ask what has healed normally, which issue you are correcting, whether waiting is safer, and whether revision could require more than one stage. Clarify the likely scars, restrictions, follow-up schedule, and warning signs after treatment.