BBL worth it? Will the fat just shrink o go away completely after a couple of years?

Question

I was thinking of getting a BBL but a doctor told me it’s not worth spending thousands of dollars if the fat will just shrink and/or go away completely after a couple of years. So my question is: is it the doctors that don’t know how to perform this surgery are getting these results or all doctors? Is it the patient that are not taking care of their body? I know with weight loss comes loss of fat, that’s not what I’m asking. I’m afraid that without weight loss it completely disappears?

Stan M. Valnicek, MD · Answer

There are a lot of variables that affect fat retention after grafting.  The technique of harvest and purification can affect the viability of the fat.  You can purify and concentrate the harvested fat to remove non fat liquid components using a variety of methods.  1200 cc of harvested fat might be 50% tumescent fluid and injecting this results in only 600 cc of actual fat put in (without processing to remove the fluid prior to injection).  Experts still disagree on the necessity of concentrating the fat prior to injection and on the actual method of doing this (filter systems, centrifuges, etc.)
There is a limit to how much can be injected in an area and expect to survive.  This makes depressed areas like hip dips challenging because the exact region you want to inflate the most has the least tissue to inject into.  If you over inject an area, the fat likely does not survive very well if at all.
There is not a lot of consensus regarding garments, length of time to use them, pressure avoidance on the grafted areas, etc.  and to my knowledge there are no studies that specifically look at this.
In my experience (and I generally place 250-500 cc of concentrated fat per side) the survival is about 50-70% in the subcutaneous plane at one year.  It is not uncommon to have to treat the hip dip area a second time.  I think I get good results with more modest grafting combined with precision liposuction of the hip and back as well as sometimes the lateral thigh area to create a nice curve from trunk to legs.  
I have revised the result on patients who went elsewhere for massive fat injections and ended up with suboptimal contour.  I think those seeking high volume fat graft to the buttock really need to do their research and find a board certified PS with substantial experience in this variation of BBL and a solid track record.  Also (and perhaps because I have been around a long time now) I caution those who seek significant exaggeration of their figure at an early age to be mindful that this can have adverse consequences to their appearance with aging.

Eugene Kim, MD · Answer

Fat is a great filler because it has long lasting results.  After a BBL, some fat will be lost during the first few months but after that it should last long term.  However the size of the buttocks will fluctuate with weight gain and weight loss. However it should not go away completely after a few years.

John L. Burns Jr., MD · Answer

Modern techniques of fat transfer offer long lasting and excellent result.  For safety, BBL fat should always be placed in the subcutaneous/gluteal fat above the muscle.  Fat should be placed under low pressure and not overfilled which can result necrosis.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

My advice would be to find the plastic surgeon with the best credentials who has performed hundreds of BBLs.  I transfer 1200 cc to 1500 cc per buttock after liposuctioning 5 liters.  This inevitably produces outstanding, noticeable results.  Many surgeons do not transfer enough fat, and that is the reason for less than wow results after a year.  I have followed these patients for over a year, and the results last if you follow post-operative protocols.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear BrownCowgirl,
in most cases 30-50% of transferred fat will be lost. 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. 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

BBL worth it? Will the fat just shrink o go away completely after a couple of years?

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Answer: BBL worth it? Will the fat just shrink o go away completely after a couple of years?

Answer: BBL worth it? Will the fat just shrink o go away completely after a couple of years?

Answer: BBL candidate

Answer: BBL candidate

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BBL worth it? Will the fat just shrink o go away completely after a couple of years?

Answers (10)

Answer: BBL worth it? Will the fat just shrink o go away completely after a couple of years?

Answer: BBL worth it? Will the fat just shrink o go away completely after a couple of years?

Answer: BBL candidate

Answer: BBL candidate

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Everything you need to know about Brazilian Butt Lift

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.