BBL with pre-existing butt implants - will it cause an infection?

Question

I understand that some surgeons believe butt implants cause a higher risk of infection for future procedures and why is that? I don't see how the implant can cause infection when the implant is placed inside the muscle. Since it's placed inside the muscle, wouldn't an infection only occur if my butt muscle is breached with unsanitary instruments?

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

The size and placement of the implant has a lot to do with possible complications. The key to this surgery is to select an implant that is not so large that the muscle cannot cover it reliably. You want a nice result, but you want to avoid the complications (need for removal, infection, extrusion, fluid collection, implant migration, implant visibility, and capsular contracture among others). Studies have demonstrated that sizes above 350 cc have a greater rate of complications, but most women choose an implant volume in the 350cc to 400cc range. The intramuscular placement also reduces the risk for capsular contracture and sciatic nerve damage.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Sociable850521,
it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you 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

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Great question, too bad you did not post photos? Only very few boarded PSs offer to do fat grafting if have previous sub muscular implants. Yes, you are correct that the % of potential infections with required removal of butt implants is slightly higher than not implanted patients. Expect fees in the $8,000 ranges.

Arian Mowlavi, MD, FACS (license on probation) · Answer

If ultrasound assisted liposuction is performed, you can avoid injury to the implant and not have an increased risk of infection for future procedures. Here at Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Institute we use Safe California Assisted Buttock Augmentation (SCUBA) technology to minimize risk of injury as well as potential formation of a fat emboli.

The optimal BBL outcomes are achieved with: 1) use of VASER liposuction to harvest the fat, 2) a closed looped system such as Puregraft to process the fat, and 3) strategic micro-packet transplant technique. These three processes have demonstrated over 95% fat graft take. This means that your results will be stable as long as you maintain your weight. As an official VASER trainer, I am routinely referred unhappy BBL patients. One of the most common reasons for disgruntled BBL patients is that patients are not able to accurately communicate their desired buttocks goals to their surgeons.  A buttocks assessment tool can be an invaluable tool to communicate to your surgeon the exact buttocks size and shape you are desiring. A Skype or FaceTime consultation with a BBL specialist can help you get an accurate recommendation and pricing.

Respectfully, 
Arian Mowlavi MD, FACS
Realself 100 Hall of Fame Inductee

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Even doing sterile procedures never illuminates 100% of all bacteria.

Even after skin prep and using sterile towels there is bacteria deep inside skin pores that are exposed when making surgical incisions.

Developing surgical infections is not simply a matter of contamination but is due to multiple factors happening at the same time.

One of the things that increases the risk of developing a postoperative infection is the presence of a foreign body. Orthopedic surgeons are perhaps the most diligent about sterile technique and know all too well about foreign bodies becoming contaminated eventually infected and needing to be removed.

Bacteria adherent to a foreign body has a natural safe place and the number of bacteria required to cause a surgical infection when a foreign body is present is substantially smaller than when the bacteria is surrounded by live vascular tissue.

Perhaps the increased risk for infection is theoretical but surgeons often get a little cautious when things are outside of the routine.

Most patients who have gluteal implants do not come seeking at BBL and so doing a BBL on someone with implants represents something that most plastic surgeons have limited experience with.

Despite claiming to place implants intramuscularly in reality most gluteal implants are in fact not placed in the gluteus muscle. The number of providers who actually do true intramuscular implants is limited and even in these cases the entire implant may not be covered by the muscle.

If you’re interested in having a BBL and are happy with your gluteal implants then I suggest scheduling multiple in person consultations at which time you’ll hear firsthand which each provider has to say about your candidacy and doing the procedure with implants in the place.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom MD

BBL with pre-existing butt implants - will it cause an infection?

Answers (5)

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