How surgeons use donor fat for cosmetic procedures

Donor fat, from cadavers or a patient’s own body, serves as a natural cosmetic filler alternative to synthetic products for adding volume. Two types exist: off-the-shelf products made from sterilized donated tissue require no harvesting, while autologous transfer uses liposuction to move the patient’s own fat. Donor fat suits smaller corrections or patients lacking sufficient fat. About 50-70% of transferred fat survives long-term, with natural-looking results lasting five to ten years. However, it remains surgery, carrying infection and bleeding risks, and final results require two to three months to settle.