Does fat transfer or butt implants cause hard lumps? Will butt implant edges show or be able to be felt once fat dissolves?

Question

Does hard, lumpy scar tissue form around the edges of butt implants? Or would hard lumps be a result of fat injected to the site? Also, do butt implants result in stretch marks?  If I don’t have much fat to go over the implant, will I feel the edges and will it always feel hard and unnatural?Should it be expected that once the approx. 40% of transferred fat dissolves that I will be able to feel or see the implant edges?

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Lumps after BBL could represent fat necrosis.  This is due to the collection of blood and serum in the multiple tunnels that are created during liposuction. Scar tissue will also form causing some lumpiness. These lumps can last several months before they disappear.  Even after 6 weeks lumps are common.  Massage may help, but time will be the best treatment.  You may not see your long term results for at least 6 months.  Much of this depends upon the extensiveness of the liposuction and the size of the area treated.There is no proven solution to definitely get rid of stretch marks. Stretch marks could result from selecting a gluteal implant to large for your anatomy.  As you state there are potential undesirable aesthetic results including noticeable implant edges and loss of 50% of the fat transferred to the buttocks.

Ryan A. Stanton, MD · Answer

In general, hard lumpy scar tissue forms in the buttock as a result of transferred fat (i.e. BBL) that has melted away (i.e. died).  Buttock implants, like any other body/breast implant, once placed are surrounded by a layer of scar that is very thin and flexible (unnoticeable) in most patients. When buttock implants are appropriately placed into a intramuscular pocket (within the muscle), rarely (~0.5%) does this scar tissue thicken and cause a feeling of tightness, pain, and/or hardening.   Also, selecting the appropriate size and shape buttock implant for each individual patient’s dimensions and tissue quality greatly minimizes postoperative complications, side effects, visibility, and edge palpability.  That being said, there is always going to be a small percentage of patients undergoing any implant surgery that will have suboptimal or less than ideal outcomes...especially complex revision/reconstruction type cases.  Hope this helps.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear WhitneyNeu,
butt implants have a significant possible complications, so it would be better to avoid them. If you want to increase projection of your buttocks and you have extra fat, fat transfer might be a better option. If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to 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

Douglas M. Senderoff, MD, FACS · Answer

if your buttock implants are placed properly by a qualified surgeon you should NOT have lumps and should NOT see the edges of the implant. Please be sure to choose a board certified plastic surgeon who specializes in this procedure and is well know for it.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

All of the problems and undesirable outcomes you described are possible from having gluteal implants.No one can guarantee you that none of those will happen if you choose that procedure.The majority of plastic surgeons in the United States do not offer gluteal augmentation with implants.If it’s a procedure you’re interested in having then I suggest finding plastic surgeons in your area who have extensive experience particularly with that procedure and ask what their experience has been on patience with your body type.This is best done with in person consultations.Best, Mats Hagstrom MD

Does fat transfer or butt implants cause hard lumps? Will butt implant edges show or be able to be felt once fat dissolves?

Answers (5)

Answer: Buttock implant

Answer: Buttock implant

Answer: Drawbacks and problems with gluteal implant

Answer: Drawbacks and problems with gluteal implant

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Butt Implants

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

Does fat transfer or butt implants cause hard lumps? Will butt implant edges show or be able to be felt once fat dissolves?

Answers (5)

Answer: Buttock implant

Answer: Buttock implant

Answer: Drawbacks and problems with gluteal implant

Answer: Drawbacks and problems with gluteal implant

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Butt Implants

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