Kenneth Hughes, MD

The thinner patient requires an expert at liposuction to remove as much fat as possible while leaving the skin smooth. There is tremendous difference in skill level among plastic surgeons in fat removal and fat transfer skills. This is a question of proportion between your buttocks and hips and your thighs and legs. A BBL performed by a board certified PS who has a wealth of experience can enhance your overall proportions by improving balance between your upper and lower body. The key in many of these cases is to remove as much fat from the areas of excess like the abdomen, sides, lower back, and bra rolls to reduce these larger dimensions. The fat harvested can then be transferred to the buttocks and hips to help balance this further.

Experience and qualifications of your surgeon: A board-certified plastic surgeon with many years of experience may charge more than a provider who is newly in practice or not plastic surgery board certified. Type of liposuction: This includes the technique used and how many areas where fat will be harvested. Facility: You may face higher costs if the procedure is performed in a hospital instead of an outpatient facility or an office-based surgery suite. Follow-up care: Make sure your follow-ups are covered in the price of the surgery. Also make sure the price includes surgeon's fees, board-certified anesthesiologist fees, CST fees, RN fees, cost of surgical supplies and medication.

Given the pictures, you are likely a good candidate for tummy tuck as the skin will not correct itself with exercise or weight loss. A short scar tummy tuck would remove loose skin, tighten the muscles, and remove the stretchmarks below the navel with a short scar. The shorter scar it leaves is the same length as that of the mini tummy tuck. Ideal patients have to be in general good health and somewhere close to their ideal body weight. A healthy lifestyle is a must, both before and after the procedure.

Why not follow your PS's post operative guidelines? He/she is the one performing your surgery and will know if you can fly within 24 hours of your fat transfer from various parts of your anatomy to the buttocks. There are no hard and fast rules on when to fly after this procedure. Most would recommend a week or two before flying. The main risk is related to development of a blood clot in the legs that can then migrate to the lungs. Sitting for long periods of time puts you at higher risk due to being stationary. Sitting and pressure on the buttocks and hips should be avoided for 6 weeks. However, the patient may use a BBL pillow or similar after surgery when sitting on a plane or when sitting is required as when driving.

Radiologists have confirmed that any calcifications caused by fat grafting can be distinguished from any calcifications associated with malignancy. Therefore, this triumph has overcome the concern that fat grafting could possibly lead to more biopsies secondary to mammographic calcifications. In addition, breast fat transfer has not been shown to increase breast cancer risk.

This is a question for the plastic surgeon who performs your TT as plastic surgeon preferences for types of compression garments and length of wear vary. I recommend that my patients wear an adjustable abdominal compression garment for six weeks. This compression garment does not cover the buttocks or the hips.

A mini TT involves removal of a small amount of skin and fat below the belly button that addresses only the lower portion of the abdomen. No plication or muscle tightening is performed and belly button remains attached and unchanged. This procedure applies to very few patients and is appropriate only for patients who have loose skin at the inferior aspect, or bottom, of the abdomen. If patients have loose skin above the belly button or muscle laxity, a short scar or full TT would be more appropriate.

A mini TT involves removal of a small amount of skin and fat below the belly button that addresses only the lower portion of the abdomen. No plication or muscle tightening is performed and belly button remains attached and unchanged. This procedure applies to very few patients and is appropriate only for patients who have loose skin at the inferior aspect, or bottom, of the abdomen. If patients have loose skin above the belly button or muscle laxity, a short scar would be more appropriate.

A mini TT involves removal of a small amount of skin and fat below the belly button that addresses only the lower portion of the abdomen. No plication or muscle tightening is performed and belly button remains attached and unchanged. This procedure should work for you.

A mini TT involves removal of a small amount of skin and fat below the belly button that addresses only the lower portion of the abdomen. No plication or muscle tightening is performed and belly button remains attached and unchanged. This procedure applies to very few patients and is appropriate only for patients who have loose skin at the inferior aspect, or bottom, of the abdomen. If patients have loose skin above the belly button or a muscle laxity, a short scar or full TT would be more appropriate. A physical exam would be necessary to determine what procedure is most appropriate for you to achieve the results you are seeking