2 years PO I am having pain after a fat transfer to buttocks around a hard, fat lump that isn't visible. Should I see a doctor?

Question

It’s not unbearable and it’s only just started acting up recently when I’m active. I was told after the surgery it’s common to have hard lumps that if were not massaged away, to be permanent. It feels like the pain is coming from this mass about the size of a golf ball but it’s been there since the surgery. It’s not visually noticeable either. Should I be worried?

Daniel Zeichner, MD · Answer

Hi and welcome to our forum!As you are 2 years post surgery, the mass has been present since surgery and hasn't changed in size, it most likely represents an old area of fat necrosis which has developed into scar tissue. As it has become symptomatic, I recommend you undergo reevaluation by your plastic surgeon.Best wishes...

Johnny Chung, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. Hard lumps after BBL are areas of fat necrosis. These do typically go away on there is own, but having one the size of a golf ball may require excision. I recommend following up with your PS or consult with another one. There are some nonsurgical way to possibly decrease the size . Best of luck with your recovery.

Douglas Taranow, DO, FACOS · Answer

Sorry to hear about the nodule.  You should definitely should follow up with your Plastic Surgeon.  You may ask about having a steroid injection or if palpable, have it excised.  Best of luck.Dr T

Israel Manon, MD · Answer

Hello
I will recommend you to visit your surgeon to disregard a possible seroma, he will confirm what you will need to do to treat it.
Regards
Dr. Israel Mañon
Certified Plastic Surgeon

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

let's get something straight. Hard lumps after fat transfer are not normal. They don't happen when the procedure is done correctly. The buttocks should never be massaged after a BBL.  The doctor is giving you a bunch of BS to cover there in adequate results. You can see a doctor for your pain if you want to. It depends how much it bothers you and if you're willing to have some intervention but don't expect an easy fix unless the pain is not related to your BBL.  removing a golf ball size of fat necrosis is going to most likely require open surgery.  Does your pain bother you enough to do that?  If so you should see a plastic surgeon who may be able to help you.  It may also be worthwhile to have a pain expert decipher to make sure the pain is not related to something else.  Sciatica is not uncommon and is usually caused by nerve compression in the lower back.  None of my patients get massages and they don't have golf ball size lumps. No question I've had a couple of patients develop a small area so fat necrosis but there are more the size of a pea. When that happened I owned the outcome I took responsibility and said it was related to how the procedure was performed. Blaming patients for bad outcomes in cosmetic surgery has to be the oldest trick in the book.  Best, Mats Hagstrom MD

2 years PO I am having pain after a fat transfer to buttocks around a hard, fat lump that isn't visible. Should I see a doctor?

Answers (5)