Do I have enough fat for a BBL? (Photo)

Question

I’m 5ft 2 & 120lbs. Though I’m considered “petite” I carry my weight in the middle. I’m removing my breast implants soon (no replacement) & know this will add to my Apple figure. Ideally I would like to have 360 lipo along with my arms, neck, & (if possible) have fat transfer for BBL. My question is, do I have enough for transfer? If not, can the lipo on its own be enough to help achieve a more pear shape? TIA:)

Donovan Rosas, MD · Answer

Patients interested in BBL often ask questions of the necessary volume for transfer. Ultimately, the answer is two pronged and based upon both patient expectations and the nature of fat graft themselves.
BBL and fat transfer is ultimately dependent upon the long term viability of the fat grafted. That being said the resorption rates of fat transferred can be significant. Clinically this translates to a progressive loss of grafted volume in the months following the procedure.
I tell patients that they can expect resorption or graft loss on the order of 50% (at most; prepare for the worst and hope for significantly better). Additionally some harvest volume is lost in processing the fat graft prior to transfer. Thus I generally recommend that patients seeking even the most minimal volume increase have adequate reserves for grafting of 500 cc per cheek (at minimum).  This means that harvest will usually exceed 1 liter (assuming for processing loss).
However, it important to remember that these are recommendations and can be amended based upon a patient's particular expectations. Some patients only want a subtle change and may be willing to accept a less significant result. But the rule still applies you have to have the fat to transfer the fat.
Ultimately, there are limits both on donor yield and recipient capacity. There is no defined space for filling thus there is a component of stretch and expansion that goes along with transfer. Once the limit is reached, injected fat will extrude from the injection sites. Overfilling will only lead to greater loss and place you at risk for necrosis.
Based upon your photos, you have adequate donor sites for a moderate augmentation. You will benefit from liposuction irrespective of the yield for fat transfer.
As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).

Emmanuel Mallol Cotes, MD · Answer

Based on your photos you appear to be a good candidate for full body intense liposuction to improve your body contour and get better curves especially in your laterals and waist and Dominican Butt Lift transferring the fat that we get to your butt molding and improving your gluteal volume and projection.Respectfully,Dr. Emmanuel Mallol Cotes.-

Marco Carmona, MD · Answer

Hi.
Thank your for sharing your pictures.
I think you are a good candidate for a liposuction BBL. Since you do have fat deposits but not too much fat, a moderate result for the BBL can be expected. I would recommend liposuction on your andomen, sides, lower back and thighs.
Please consult with a board certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon.
Good luck for your medical journey.
Dr Marco Carmona MD

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

Ideal candidates are at a stable weight,  in good health , and have excess fat in some parts of the body and too little in other regions.  Gaining weight before the procedure is to no advantage and when you lose weight again the fat cells will shrink just like the donor site fat cells.  Typically, the transferred fat results in a significant increase in volume of the body site being treated.

Matthew J. Nykiel, MD · Answer

Hello and Great Question.  I appreciate the time you are spending researching this procedure.  My name is Dr. Matthew J. Nykiel.  I am a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, a Fellowship Trained Cosmetic Surgeon, and a Butt Augmentation Specialist.
The amount of fat that you need for a BBL really depends on your goals.  Why?  Because different goals need different amounts of fat.   For example, I will frequently (usually weekly) perform a BBL on Mom that works out a significant amount but still can’t get that last stubborn tummy and flank fat.  She is also unhappy her hips, waist, and the indents on the side of the butt.  She doesn’t want a BIG Butt with a lot of POP.  In this case, I will get more then enough fat to fill in the frame, rounding out the waist/butt/hips and improving the hourglass shape.  The total fat I need for this procedure is somewhere around 320cc-720cc and this can be pretty easy to find high quality fat in that amount from the stubborn fat areas.
Now on the opposite end of the spectrum, if you wanted a big full butt with a lot of POP then you would require a significant amount of fat, at least 1400cc total.  And then we would need a lot of fat to take in order to process and be left with high quality injectable fat.
So what does that mean?  Well depending on your goals you either need a small amount of fat (and almost all patients are candidates for that) or you need a significant amount of fat if you want a BIG butt (And then in order to a candidate you need a decent amount of fat to perform liposuction on).  
Do you have other options beyond fat?  Yes, there are butt implants and medical grade fillers.  And therefore, just about every patient is candidate for some form of torso sculpting/butt augmentation!
I hope that helps!  Best of Luck!
Matthew J. Nykiel, MD#TopREALSELFDoctor#CoreREALSELFDoctorButt Augmentation SpecialistLiposuction SpecialistBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon

Austin Hayes, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Based on your photos, it appears that you are a good candidate for liposuction, but unfortunately I don't think that you have enough fat to contribute to your buttocks. Of course, this depends on the amount of buttock enlargement that you desire. A small enlargement would be possible. Some surgeons recommend gaining weight prior to a BBL surgery, but I would avoid this. If you lose the weight after surgery, you'll lose your results also.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Kcooters1,based on your photos, you look like a good candidate for a BBL. Liposuction of your abdomen, back and flanks should give you more curves and hourglass shape and fat transfer to buttocks should give you more projection. I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon because only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS 
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery  
Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgery

George Marosan, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and photos. Based on your photos, you are a great candidate for VASER Hi Def lipo 360 degrees of your whole back, waist, hips, saddle bags ( minimal shaping), abdomen and arms with fat transfer to the buttocks. This will give you an hourglass figure. I do these surgeries under intravenous sedation in our certified office surgery suite. You don’t have a lot of fat, so this needs to be done right first time. See a board certified plastic surgeon experienced in advanced body sculpting techniques for an in person consultation/evaluation. Good luck.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Thank you for the pictures and question, you are a great candidate for liposuction and fat transfer to your buttocks, an in person consultation would be best with a board certified PS

Israel Manon, MD · Answer

Hello
Based on your pictures you are a great candidate for a Brazilian Butt Lift, this procedure includes liposuction on certain areas of your body mainly to address to obtain the best results possible. 
I recommend you to consult a plastic surgeon and coordinate with him or her which procedures will fit your needs.
Regards
Dr. Israel Mañon
Certified Plastic Surgeon

Do I have enough fat for a BBL? (Photo)

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