I sat on my butt 1 week into BBL, do I still have hope for fat survival?

Question

I sat on my butt for the first week after my bbl for approximately 30 minutes at a time max. I plan on returning to work after only one week however I plan to stand most of the time but I do have to drive half an hour to my job but I plan to use a pillow to refrain from sitting down as best as I can while I drive, I am starting to feel that my fat transfer was a waste because I couldn't refrain from sitting, however I did pay extra for PRP, do I still have hope of fat survival?

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

I recommend that my patients minimize sitting, even with a pillow, for the first two weeks. If they have to sit, it is critical that every 30 minutes or an hour that patients get up and stand for a few seconds to take the pressure off.   This reduces the chance for fat necrosis.  After 6 weeks the fat has revascularized, and you have a very good idea of your final results. Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic SurgeoLos Angeles, CA

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear fattransferpt,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. I instruct my patients not to sit for 2 solid weeks. We provide them a specialized pillow that our patients can sit on during that time. They can sleep on their stomachs or sides. Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS 
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery  
Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgery

Michael Constantin Gartner, DO · Answer

sitting for 30 minutes probably will not break the result. I would recommend you just do the best you can and stay off it as much as possible. I would recommend a rectangular pillow to be placed under the thighs some of these are now called the BBL pillow where there's no pressure on the buttocks. PRP has not as yet been shown to have any proven value in survival of fat cells so paying extra for that at this time may have been a waste of money. I would recommend you follow up with your doctor and address these concerns or recommend you get a second opinion from a board-certified plastic surgeon by the American Board of plastic surgery who has a lot of experience in performing this procedure.Best of luckDr Michael Gartner

Erika Sato, MD, FACS · Answer

There is actually NO literature to support that pressure in the early post op period causing increased fat volume loss or death. I ask my patients not to sit or apply pressure to the buttocks for 10 days because I feel that the shape stays more "round" if they stay off of it. We know that no matter what you do, you will lose ~30-50% of the fat volume that was injected over the first 3-6 months after surgery. Some PS don't even make you stay off of your buttocks after a BBL. If your surgery was done well and a large volume of pure fat was transferred, you should be just fine.

Ricardo Ventura, MD · Answer

Hello, thanks for your question and provided information as well... it will be better for you to sit on a boppy pillow for at least 6-8 weeks from the procedure. It will help your results to last.

I sat on my butt 1 week into BBL, do I still have hope for fat survival?

Answers (6)

Answer: I sat on my butt 1 week into BBL, do I still have hope for fat survival?

Answer: I sat on my butt 1 week into BBL, do I still have hope for fat survival?

Answer: VIDEOS MORE Save I sat on my butt 1 week into BBL, do I still have hope for fat survival?

Answer: VIDEOS MORE Save I sat on my butt 1 week into BBL, do I still have hope for fat survival?

Recommended reading

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.

I sat on my butt 1 week into BBL, do I still have hope for fat survival?

Answers (6)

Answer: I sat on my butt 1 week into BBL, do I still have hope for fat survival?

Answer: I sat on my butt 1 week into BBL, do I still have hope for fat survival?

Answer: VIDEOS MORE Save I sat on my butt 1 week into BBL, do I still have hope for fat survival?

Answer: VIDEOS MORE Save I sat on my butt 1 week into BBL, do I still have hope for fat survival?

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

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.