I am scheduled for an LBL and am also considering a BBL at the same time. How do you recover from both?

Question

I know it is done often simultaneously to prevent the “flat butt”. I have only 2 weeks off work and a 45 minute commute one way each day. Is this a realistic option for me?

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for questions regarding undergoing a lower body lift as well as BBL at the same time. It is possible to undergo a BBL and lower body lift at the same time. During the lower body lift, an incision is made across the top of the buttock, carried over the hips, and to the front of the abdomen. Fat can be harvested from your abdomen, hips, thighs, and other parts of your body.  This fat is  purified and then injected into your buttocks. The recovery would require that you have no pressure on the buttocks for 3 weeks. That would either mean, you would have to lay on your side (and put pressure on the body lift incision) or that recover is such a way that there is no pressure on the buttock.  For my patients, I make a special customized mattress just for this purpose. In my opinion,  a better alternative would be a gluteal auto-augmentation, or island flap, or propeller flap. During gluteal auto-augmentation, your buttock skin and fat which would otherwise be thrown away from your lower body lift is used to augment and reconstruct your upper buttock. Usually, this gluteal flap or island flap does not require you to have a BBl. In my opinion, I think that the gluteal auto-augmentation yields far better results than a BBL done at the same time as a lower body lift. Also, fat transfer to the buttock or BBL does have potential complications if the fat is injected into the gluteus muscles. Whether you have the lower body lift with the propeller flap or the lower body lift with the BBL, plan on a 2 to 3 week recovery. If you have a 45 minute commute one way each day, that is a lot of time on your post-operative buttocks.  If you are considering a BBL, I am afraid you may kill many of the fat cells that would be transferred. Therefore, in my opinion in regards to your case I would undergo the gluteal auto-augmentation with the propeller flap. You will achieve more volume, better shape, and have an easier recovery.  Thank you.  I hope that I have answered your question regarding undergoing a lower body lift and BBL or gluteal auto-augmentation at the same time. I specialize in reconstructive plastic surgery after weight loss.  If you have any more questions regarding the lower body lift, 360 circumferential lower body lift, belt lipectomy, belt abdominoplasty, or belt dermolipectomy please contact my office. Since the body lift is a big procedure, please seek an experienced, board certified plastic surgeon with significant experience performing the lower body lift. Do your research.  Make sure they have performed at least 100 circumferential lower body lift surgeries and have the before and after pictures to prove it.  Carefully examine their before and after pictures and check their reviews on RealSelf.   If you cannot find an experienced, lower body lift surgeon in your neighborhood, consider traveling out of state if you must. Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. (“Verified” Plastic Surgeon, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, and International College of Surgery and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Hello, thank you for your question. I think it really depends on the types of procedures, the length of time of the combined procedures, it is probably safer to do less than 6hrs of surgery than to do 12hrs of multiple surgeries. Since longer surgeries have more blood loss and potential complications. But every surgeon approaches this differently, I recommend you to schedule a consultation with a board certified plastics surgeon.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Ginbo,
Some plastic surgeons may want to split this into two operations depending on the time needed.Its best to see a board-certified plastic surgeon to determine your options and whether it would take too long, more than 4 hours, to do all.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

I am scheduled for an LBL and am also considering a BBL at the same time. How do you recover from both?

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I am scheduled for an LBL and am also considering a BBL at the same time. How do you recover from both?

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about Body Lift

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