Fat Necrosis and Fibrosis After Buttock Augmentation? (photo)

Question

I under went BBL a year ago (June 2011) and I have two areas of hardness and a lump on my right cheek. Initally after the surgery I was informed that this was normal however now after research and a year of healing, I think that this may be contributed to the MD technique. Currently I am undergoing meso therapy as well as acoustic wave therapy for dimpling and hardness in my buttock. Is there any other treatments for fat necrosis? and is it safe to undergo BBL procedure again ?

Jeff Angobaldo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  Fat necrosis can occur after any fat transfer surgery.  Fat necrosis may improve over time, but there can be some areas that will not absorb.  Discuss your concerns with your surgeon.  Best wishes.

Dhaval M. Patel, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question! You will have many questions post BBL, just make sure you address these issues with your plastic surgeon.  Best of luck!Dr Dhaval PatelDouble Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Chicago Hoffman Estates Oak Brook

Mehmet Veli Karaaltin, MD · Answer

The treatment of fat necrosis might be challenging but breaking the fibrosis and caveating the area would be the only solution. on the other hand, a second round would proceed

Scott Chapin, MD, FACS · Answer

Fat necrosis is not uncommon after Brazilian Butt Lift. As with any fat transfer surgery, where fat cells are harvested from donor areas and injected into the areas we want to enhance, not all the fat cells survive. The fat cells that are unable to create new blood supply die and are absorbed into the body.
In your case, if the lumps and hardness you feel are due to fat necrosis, you may require liposuction or a surgical excision to remove them. A Brazilian Butt Lift may also be repeated to perform the necessary correction and further augmentation, if you desire it. I recommend speaking to your surgeon regarding your concerns and what they advise for correction.

Karl William Schwarz, MD · Answer

Fat necrosis probably happens in 100% of patients undergoing fat grafting in any part of the body regardless of the surgeon performing the task as it is impossible for 100% of the fat to survive but most of the time it can only be seen on an MRI and not visible to your eye or to the touch.Other times there can be fat necrosis for a variety of reasons that is visible or you can feel it and in my experience it can take many years to disappear and other times it will not resolve on its own and needs to be excised or cut out.I don't have experience with mesotherapy directly, but from what I know, I would just be careful as that treatment can also cause fat necrosis! Also, it is designed to kill fat and not necessarily remove dead fat. The dead fat is calcified and may best be removed directly.

Fat Necrosis and Fibrosis After Buttock Augmentation? (photo)

Answers (7)