Harry_Chapin

[deleted]

I had a different kind of operation - the disc that the joints meet at were completely out of place on each side of my jaw, and I had a natural disk replacement fat graft to repair it. The link is to my surgeon's practice (he also developed the technique). In my case, the fat does reconnect to the vascular system, and my jaw was kept mostly stationary for months (not quite as uncomfortable as it sounds) to allow it to form a strong blood connection and slowly start to make sure it was holding.

I'm nothing close to a doctor, but I think that related info would meet your interests. Whether or not the fat in OP's type of surgery has a permanent, functional use, I couldn't say.