BBL gone - What could have caused this? Where is the fat?

Question

I had a beautiful bbl performed a couple of yrs ago by a very good dr. Now it’s all gone as if I’ve never had it. I lost 30 lbs. What could have caused this? Where is the fat?

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

After the initial resorption phase, the fat that is left is living tissue with a blood supply.  For the Brazilian butt lift, about 50 to 70% of the fat survives long term .  I have seen patients after a year or two and the pictures reveal that the gain is permanent. Perhaps this is due to injection technique, harvest technique, amount transferred.  This will hold stable as long as there is no weight fluctuation.  The fat will not move, but losses in weight will distribute differently. The fat that lives in the buttocks from the procedure will get larger with weight gain and smaller with weight loss.

Dhaval M. Patel, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question! Due to your recent weight loss that has made the fat go down.  If you are able to gain the weight back the fat in your butt should come back as well.  Fat cells either grow or shrink.  Best of luck!Dhaval Patel
Double Board Certified 
Plastic Surgeon
Chicago 
Hoffman Estates 
Orland Park
Oakbrook

Carolina Restrepo, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question. The change on the size is linked to the weight loss. If you gain weight you may see a gain in the size of your buttocks.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear korenashel,
Fat viability depends a lot of surgeon technique. The fat has to be placed back into the buttocks as soon as possible so that it has a greater chance of survival. It has to be placed carefully so that not too much fat is placed in only one area. In most cases, 30-50% of transferred fat is lost after some time. I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment it would be difficult to determine what is wrong. It is best that you visit your plastic surgeon for further assessment. Only after thorough examination you can get proper recommendations and advice.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Arian Mowlavi, MD, FACS (license on probation) · Answer

The loss of the fat from the BBL is likely due to your recent weight loss of 30 pounds. The optimal outcomes fro BBL are achieved with: 1) use of VASER liposuction to harvest the fat, 2) a closed looped system such as Puregraft to process the fat, and 3) strategic micro-packet transplant technique. These three processes have demonstrated over 95% fat graft take. This means that your results will be stable as long as you maintain your weight. As an official VASER trainer, I am routinely referred unhappy BBL patients. One of the most common reasons for disgruntled BBL patients is that patients are not able to accurately communicate their desired buttocks goals to their surgeons.  A buttocks assessment tool can be an invaluable tool to communicate to your surgeon the exact buttocks size and shape you are desiring. A Skype or FaceTime consultation with a BBL specialist can help you get an accurate recommendation and pricing. 
Respectfully,
Arian Mowlavi MD,FACS
Realself 100 Hall of Fame Inductee

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

your BBL was comprised of fat. When you lost weight the fat shrunk.  If the change happened within the first nine months then I was most likely simply related to absorption of fat that did not survive the fat transfer.  If you gain weight you will probably regain your gluteal volume.  Best, Mats Hagstrom MD

Manuel Belen, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Hello,
  
Thank you for sharing the information, it is a pleasure for me to answer your question.
  
It is difficult to evaluate the options without seeing photos,
It is advisable to consult with a certified plastic surgeon, for a good evaluation, to provide you with all the information you need to know about the appropriate recommendations, so that you can achieve the desired goals in your body.
  
I hope this answer will help you
  
My best wishes for you...

BBL gone - What could have caused this? Where is the fat?

Answers (7)

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