What is the risk of a fat embolism after a BBL? Can it happen weeks or months after the procedure?

Question

A Fat embolism has me nervous because it’s one of the worst things that can happen. Once you make it out of surgery can this still happen ? Can it be weeks or months after the procedure and this still occur? Or is this a during procedure risk only ? So basically I'm asking once you make it out of surgery is infection or blood loss the only things you really have to worry about?

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Hello, thank you for your question. Fat emboli have been reported from a wide range of procedures including orthopedic procedures, long bone fractures, liposuction, fat transfer procedures and other procedures as well. The risks of a fat embolism after BBL is very low but not zero. It is very rare and not well understood. Find a BBL expert who performs hundreds of BBLs each year and has great reviews and great before and after pictures.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear candies517,
every surgery has possible complications. As long as your surgeon knows them and follows instructions, the risk is low. In case of fat embolism, it can occur during the procedure or shortly after it but it won't occur months after surgery. If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Robert J. Paresi Jr., MD, MPH · Answer

Thanks for the question.  The highest risk for fat embolism in a BBL procedure is either during the procedure or in the week after the procedure.  The risk decreases significantly after that.  In most cases, the fat embolism is a result of an injury to the veins in the gluteal area during the procedure.  Steps can be taken during the procedure to limit these risks including:  use of blunt cannulas during injection, superficial injection of the fat, and avoidance of certain higher risk anatomical areas during injection.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

The number one concern patients should have before contemplating cosmetic surgery like the BBL is botched outcomes with disfigurement.

That is realistically some thing that happens quite frequently and is highly regrettable.

It’s also something that is avoidable  if patients do their homework and properly select a competent provider.

Serious medical complications are fairly rare with this procedure. With new improved safety measures fat emboli you are not really as much of a risk as previously believed.

Should a fat embolism happen then it will happen during the procedure and symptoms will occur Shortly after the procedure.

Typically within hours to  days.

Postoperative infections are fairly uncommon with liposuction and fat transfer procedures. Infections typically present 3 to 5 days after surgery but can occur later as well.

Other serious complications include perforation of intro domino or intrathoracic organs.

These complications show symptoms immediately to within a few days after surgery.

The most important decision is choosing the most experienced and talented provider.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom MD

What is the risk of a fat embolism after a BBL? Can it happen weeks or months after the procedure?

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