Is Fat Injection to the Legs Permanent, and What Are the Results?

What Is Fat Injection to the Legs?

Fat grafting involves harvesting fat via liposuction from areas such as the abdomen, waist, hips, or inner thighs, purifying it, and injecting it into the calves, thighs, or other leg areas.

It is commonly used to:

• Add volume to thin calves
• Balance asymmetry between inner and outer thighs
• Improve overall leg contour
• Enhance feminine curves or athletic appearance
• Serve as a natural alternative to implants

Is It Permanent?

Fat transfer is considered partially permanent:

• About 30–50% of the injected fat is reabsorbed by the body within the first 3 months
• The remaining fat integrates with surrounding tissue, becoming permanent
• When performed correctly, results can last for many years

Factors Affecting Permanence:

• Blood supply in the treated area
• Patient’s metabolism and lifestyle
• Smoking, infection, or trauma may reduce fat survival
• Use of compression garments and limiting high-impact activities in recovery

Note: In some cases, a second session may be performed after 6–12 months for additional volume.

How Is the Procedure Performed?

• Anesthesia: Local with sedation or general
• Step 1: Fat Harvesting – Fat is extracted with thin cannulas
• Step 2: Purification – Fat is filtered or centrifuged to remove impurities
• Step 3: Injection – Purified fat is injected in thin layers for uniform volume
• Duration: 1.5–2 hours
• Hospital stay: Same-day discharge or overnight stay

Recovery and Aftercare

• Temporary swelling, bruising, and discomfort are normal
• Use of compression garments or support stockings is essential for 3–4 weeks
• Return to daily activities: in 3–7 days
• Avoid strenuous exercise for 3–4 weeks
• Final results become visible after 2–3 months

What Are the Benefits?

• Uses your own fat, eliminating risks of rejection or allergic reaction
• Provides dual benefit: slimming the donor area and enhancing the legs
• Scarless or minimally invasive
• More natural in look and feel compared to implants
• Customizable to each patient’s needs
• No need for foreign materials or permanent implants

Who Is an Ideal Candidate?

• Individuals with volume loss or asymmetry in the legs
• Those seeking a natural alternative to calf implants
• Patients with sufficient body fat for harvesting
• Healthy adults over 18 years old

Not suitable for very thin individuals with insufficient fat reserves