BBL (fat transfer) or Smart Lipo and filler injections?

Question

Hi, I'd like a fuller bum and slimmer flanks. I've been thinking about having the fat from my flanks transferred to my butt, but I know the risks are high and recovery process is long. As an alternative I'm thinking I could have smart Lipo to the flanks and filler injections (by a dr/ nurse) in my butt for a similar effect. Hoping to get some advice of what might be the best option. My issue with the BBL is that I'm concerned about recovery and having to go to work after 10-14 days Thanks

Emmanuel Mallol Cotes, MD · Answer

injections often involve the use of non-medical grade substances, such as silicone or industrial-grade materials, which can lead to severe health complications. These substances are not intended for use in the human body and can cause infections, tissue damage, chronic pain, and even life-threatening complications.

While filler injections may seem more affordable initially compared to surgical procedures like the BBL, BBL offers dual benefits by not only augmenting the buttocks but also contouring other areas of the body through liposuction. Excess fat is removed from areas such as the abdomen, flanks, or thighs, creating a more sculpted appearance overall.

Because the BBL uses the patient's own fat tissue, there is a lower risk of rejection, infection, or other complications.

Overall, the Brazilian butt lift is often considered the best option for buttock augmentation due to its ability to provide natural-looking results, customizable outcomes, minimally invasive nature, long-lasting effects, and reduced risk of complications compared to other augmentation methods.

Sincerely, 
Dr. Emmanuel Mallol

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Tina Garratt,
if you are looking to have but augmentation, then injections are not the best option. Fat transfer is the gold standard for this. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination, you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

This response was dictated. My apologies in advance for any potential grammatical errors.
I suggest patients racist temptation of making their own assessments and prescribing their own procedures.
Instead get find the highest level of care and get a quality assessment, and better understanding of treatment options, including your candidacy for various procedures.
Without seeing pictures, we can’t begin to make an assessment.
If you want to get some idea if you’re a good candidate for Liposuction with or without fat, transfer the trip posting including pictures
To get an idea of what we need look at how plastic surgeons take before and after pictures.
 Adding fat transfer does not make the recovery any longer than having Liposuction alone.
If anything fat transfer is less invasive and that’s an easier recovery than removing the fat. 
Fillers are not a realistic option for body contouring for most people.
The volumes required become cost prohibitive.
Unfortunately, there are no high-quality injectable fillers available in the volumes required at cost that are feasible for people who work for a living.
To start the process I recommend patients begin by making a list of local sports certified plastic surgeons seem to have extensive experience with both Liposuction and fat transfer a.k.a. the BBL procedure.
Delivering consistent quality, liposuction and fat. Transfer results is more difficult than most people realize.
The number of plastic surgeons who mastered these procedures is fairly small.
If patience are not careful about provider selection, the outcome can be catastrophic including permanent disfigurement.
Never assume somebody knows how to do a procedure well until you’ve seen clear evidence that they have the skill and experience necessary to deliver consistent quality outcomes.
Once you have a list of potential providers, I suggest patience schedule in person consultations with each of the providers on the list.
I generally do not recommend people rely on virtual consultations, but instead make the effort to meet with the provider in person.
 During each consultation, ask each provider to open up their portfolio and show you their entire collection of before, and after pictures of previous patients who had similar body characteristics to your own.
I suggest patience bring pictures of body, taking the same way plastic surgeons take before and after pictures to use as reference during the consultation.
 Did not rely on memory, or having to look in the mirror while reviewing before, and after pictures
Being shown a handful of pre-selected images, representing only the best results of a providers career may be insufficient to get a clear understanding of what average results look like in the hands of each provider.
 It’s also important that you specifically ask to see results of patients who have the same level of surgery candidacy as your own.
Not everybody seeking Liposuction or fat transfer is a good candidate for the procedure.
Variables that affect potential outcomes include things like skin city, Thin layers of subcutaneous, fat, muscle separation from previous pregnancy, excess visceral, fat, and age.
An individual who is an excellent candidate for a plastic surgery procedure has the potential of having an excellent outcome.
They also have the potential of having a poor outcome if the procedure is not done well.
A patient who is not a good candidate for a circle procedure does not have the potential of getting a high-quality outcome regardless of who does the procedure.
 in my opinion and spaniel plastic surgeon should have no difficulty showing you to before and after pictures of at least 50 previous patients.
Highly experienced surgeons should have access to hundreds or preferably thousands of before and after pictures to choose from.
The review of before, and after pictures is one of the most important steps and selecting the right provider.
 to get this right it’s important that patients begin to understand what quality results should look like and what poor results look like.
This is not always easy or straightforward because candidacy, has a major part in what the procedure can or cannot accomplish.There’s no correct number of consultations needed to find the right provider.
The more consultations you schedule the more likely you are to find the better provider for your needs.
One of the biggest mistakes I see patients make is scheduling only one consultation and then scheduling surgery.
Having only one consultation, more or less eliminates the ability to choose a better provider.
 The second biggest mistake is patience assuming that being board-certified in plastic surgery with years of experience, and an overall good reputation means that somebody knows how to do liposuction well.
This is not an accurate assumptions and patience should generally be more selective regarding provider selection than they may think is necessary.
 The results from these procedures are permanent and irreversible.
If done, poorly patients can be left permanently disfigured for life.
You’ll be reminded of the outcome every day for the rest of your life.
The time to be critical of plastic surgeons is during the vetting process while having in person consultations.
Doing these procedures, well, on a consistent basis, including the ability to make accurate assessments and deliver predictable outcomes is more difficult than most people recognize.
Having cosmetic surgery with the highest chance of high patient satisfaction, and having an overall positive experience, requires a substantial effort on behalf of the patient.
In my opinion I don’t think you can accurately select providers by using Internet search tools, reading, reviews, or providers websites.
It may be a good place to start making the initial list, but in the end the time and potential financial outlet in person consultations is a well worth endeavor.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom, MD

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