Losing fat more than 6 months after BBL. Will I need a round 2? (Photo)

Question

I had Lipo/BBL to my hip dips in 2021. There were a few imperfections but for the most part I was pleased with the results as 70-80% of my fat seemed to have survived. I got pregnant in Nov 2022 and had a baby in 2023. As result of breastfeeding I started losing weight in my hips, butt and thighs. If I begin to gain weight again will I gain in those areas as well or is the fat on those areas gone forever? It’s starting to look as if chunks of fat have been bitten out. Will I need a round 2?

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Avad84,
it is hard to predict but you should reach goal weight and maintain it for some time to see the final results. You can always get revision surgery, in case you lose too much fat. 
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

John L. Burns Jr., MD · Answer

Pregnancy and the consequent weight fluctuations can impact the results of a BBL.  More fat can be added to your BBL in a revision.

Ryan A. Stanton, MD · Answer

Allow me to answer your question as best i can based upon your photos. However, please keep in mind that an in-person, or at least a virtual, consultation with physical exam is first necessary before any legitimate evaluation or final surgical recommendations can be made.

Based purely upon your photos, I would argue that you actually lost at least 80% of the fat in the hip dip area soon after surgery in your postop photo.  You are in good company with many others who had high hopes for BBL but instead received disappointing results (lumpiness, unevenness, lack of projection in the central and/or lower buttock, insignificant hip augmentation, post-deflation sagging, fatty necrotic cyst or scar tissue, etc.) as most of the fat melts away. It is not quite as much the quality of the doctor nor liposuction technique but rather the quality of the procedure that is a large part of the problem.  Thus, going back for additional rounds of BBL most often produces the same disappointing results but at another financial loss.   Beware, if a surgeon asks you to purposely gain weight (i.e. fat) before BBL, know that the fat you lose first as you get back to your baseline weight after surgery is that very same fat that was transferred into your buttock, hence your new buttock shrinks first, the fastest, and the most...so please do not fall victim to this recommendation.

Fillers, such as Sculptra and hyaluronic acids,  for augmentation of the buttock/hips are a rip-off, period!

Buttock/hip implants, however, provide a more reliable, predictable, relatively safe, and permanent result, especially for adding projection to the hips and central buttock, and often help smoothing out lumpiness. Occasionally a lower buttock tuck may be advantageous for lower buttock fold asymmetries and/or sagging.  When considering buttock implants make sure that the surgeon is going to be placing the implants within gluteus muscles , (a.k.a. “intramuscular pocket”), and that they are using anatomically correct, oval-shaped implants, such as Stanton Anatomic ®️ implants. 
Please keep in mind that an extremely few number of board-certified plastic surgeons specialize in these buttock implants so be sure to consult with one that is reputable and experienced. Unfortunately you may have to travel long and far away from home to find this particular surgeon. Glad to help.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Personally, I see no advantage in gaining weight. If You will do so it will follow your current fat distribution.
If you have concerns about the outcome of your procedure, I suggest you follow up with your plastic surgeons.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom, MD.

Losing fat more than 6 months after BBL. Will I need a round 2? (Photo)

Answers (4)

Answer: Gaining weight

Answer: Gaining weight

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Losing fat more than 6 months after BBL. Will I need a round 2? (Photo)

Answers (4)

Answer: Gaining weight

Answer: Gaining weight

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Everything you need to know about Brazilian Butt Lift Revision

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