What's the average pain level for a BBL postop? The ability to move & function timeframe?

Question

Ive done tons of research & have read somewhat mixed reactions in regards to pain & time off needed. After my preop w/ my surgeon, he seemed confident in my abilities to be ok for work w/in just a few days. Based on that, I will be back that coming Monday. In total, my "down time" to recover would be 3 days (surgery day included). As a nurse in the particular department I'm in, I do not sit, unless it's for lunch or random admin duties, but never longer than 20mins at a time. Thoughts?

Matthew J. Nykiel, MD · Answer

Hello and Great Question.  I appreciate the time you are spending researching this procedure.  My name is Dr. Matthew J. Nykiel.  I am a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, a Fellowship Trained Cosmetic Surgeon, and a Butt Augmentation Specialist.
Each Surgeon has a slightly different postoperative recovery protocol.  This is my specific recovery protocol.  It should give you a general overview.  Please be sure to check with your surgeon for specifics.  
A Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) is typically done as an outpatient procedure (you go home after surgery the same day).  
ANESTHESIA:     The surgery can either be performed with you awake or sedated (mild, deep, or general anesthesia).  What are the benefits of awake vs sedation?  Awake liposuction is well tolerated procedure when performed correctly.  Typically, awake liposuction has a faster wake-up period after surgery.  What are the negatives to awake vs sedation?  While I think awake liposuction is tolerated well.  Awake fat transfer to the Butt is better tolerated when asleep.  Why?  Because to get a great result in a BBL some fat needs to be placed deep and that simply is not possible when you are awake because you will feel it.  Therefore, in my experience, awake fat transfer to the butt gets you an inferior result.
PROCEDURE:  A BBL has two types of recovery:  1) Recovery from Liposuction 2) Recovery from Fat Transfer to the Butt.  
Let us begin by discussing recovery from LIPOSUCTION RECOVERY:  • Bruising, Swelling, and Firmness are expected for the recovery. Bruising typically takes 1 to 2 weeks to subside. The swelling takes longer and begins to decrease at 3 weeks after surgery. It will typically take a total of 6 weeks for the majority of the swelling to be gone.  However, this does not mean that you won't see the results.  You will see results by day #1 and these results will only continue to improve as the swelling goes down!  • Firmness is also expected. This is partially due to swelling and partially due to the liposuction.  Think about when you sprain an ankle, it gets bruised, swollen, and firm.  It also take at least 6 weeks to 3 months to soften. For some people it is less time and for others it is longer.  Starting at 1 week after surgery; I want you to massage daily to soften the areas.  In my opinion, this a KEY step to faster recovery.   • Compressive garments (Medical Grade Spanx) are placed on you immediately after surgery.  You will keep the garment on for 48 hours initially after surgery.  Then, the garment is worn for 6 weeks, at all times, except when showering. The garment helps to decrease the swelling, bruising, and firmness.  The garment also helps to shape the torso into the hour glass.   
FAT TRANSFER TO THE BUTT RECOVERY • I utilize a 4 week sitting protocol.  The first week I like you to be off your butt as much as possible in the early stages of healing.  The longer you can be off the butt, the better the results.  The protocol is: ◦ Week 1: Sitting for the bathroom ◦ Week 2: Sit as usual with the assistance of a pressure off-loading pillow. If you do not have a pillow then: 15-30 minutes at a time, then standing up to shift your weight. ◦ Week 3: Sit as usual with the assistance of a pressure off-loading pillow.  If you do not have a pillow then:  30-60 minutes at a time, then standing up to shift your weight. ◦ Week 4: Sit as usual with the assistance of a pressure off-loading pillow.   If you do not have a pillow then:  1-2 hours at a time, then standing up to shift your weight. ◦ Week 5:  No Sitting Restrictions.  Sit as usual.  Unless otherwise directed.
WORK:  Most of my patients are back to work in 1 week or less.
ACTIVITY:  After 1 week you can Run/Jog or go to the gym.  Prior to 1 week, I want you walking around as much as possible.
GYM:  After 1 week you can go to the gym.  You can do any upper body work out and/or Run/Jog.  No lower body squats or any activity that requires you to place pressure on your Butt/Gluts (i.e. Leg Press, Back Row etc) until after 4 weeks from surgery.  I hope that helps!  Best of Luck!
Matthew J. Nykiel, MD#TopREALSELFDoctor#CoreREALSELFDoctorButt Augmentation SpecialistLiposuction SpecialistBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

I have watched thousands of patients recover from this procedure and I think that average return to work time is usually one week, but it can be sooner.  Please select a board certified plastic surgeon with great pictures, reviews, and credentials.Kenneth Hughes, MDLos Angeles, CA

George Marosan, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. This brings up several issues in my mind. What type of liposuction is done, sedation or awake, how skilled is your surgeon in his skills and creating a beautiful shape and hourglass figure? These should've been discussed during the consultation and preop. 3 days is overly optimistic or he's not planning to sculpt your body into an hourglass figure. The sculpting part is almost more important than the amount of fat that is transplanted to the buttocks. The fat grafting to the buttocks is less tender or painful than the areas liposuctioned. I use the VASER Hi Def Lipo technique for the fat collection and sculpting. I place my patients on Gabapentin for one month postop. If you are happy with your surgeon, proceed, but if you have doubts, see a board certified plastic surgeon experienced in advanced body sculpting techniques for an in person consultation/evaluation. Remember, a secondary procedure is less rewarding than one done well for the first time. You should concentrate on the long term results and not how fast you can recover. Healing takes time, but you should be functional in about two weeks. Good luck with your surgery.

Austin Hayes, MD · Answer

In my office, I recommend my patients use a special pillow (Booty Buddy) when sitting for the first month. The pillow allows you to sit by putting pressure on the back of the thighs, without putting pressure on your buttocks. For an active job, such as nursing, I recommend that they take at least one week, but preferably two weeks off of work.

What's the average pain level for a BBL postop? The ability to move & function timeframe?

Answers (4)

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