I lost 5 lbs, 4 months post BBL, and lost size in my butt. If I gain weight, will my butt return to pre-weight loss size?

Thank you for your question regarding changes in your body size after losing 5 pounds of weight, especially in the context of a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL). Your concerns primarily pertain to whether your buttocks will return to their original size before your weight loss. I understand this may be disappointing, but I am afraid the process isn't quite as straightforward.

During a Brazilian Butt Lift procedure, fat is harvested from certain parts of your body, purified, and then transplanted into your buttocks. This procedure is designed to enhance the shape and volume of the buttocks. Following the transplantation, the fat cells need to recruit a new blood supply to survive in their new location. Once they establish this blood supply, the transplanted fat cells will become a part of the existing tissue and grow or shrink according to the overall weight changes in your body.

When you lose weight, whether it's 5 pounds or more, you lose fat globally throughout your body. This includes the fat that was transplanted into your buttocks during the BBL. Therefore, if you lose weight post-procedure, it is expected that your buttocks will also reduce in size.

Unfortunately, the lost volume is not likely to return to its pre-weight loss size if you gain those 5 pounds back. The fat cells that died off during your weight loss won't resurrect. Thus, the reduction in the size of your buttocks due to weight loss is typically permanent.

If you wish to regain the size and shape of your buttocks after your weight loss, there are a couple of options. First, you might want to consider certain types of exercises that target the gluteal muscles, such as squats, lunges, and bridges. These exercises can help tone and strengthen the gluteal muscles, which can result in a more lifted and firmer appearance of your buttocks.

Alternatively, you might consider another fat transfer procedure. This option involves a similar process to your initial BBL, where fat is harvested from other parts of your body and then transplanted into your buttocks. However, this decision should be made in consultation with your plastic surgeon, as it involves surgical risks and considerations.

Thank you again for reaching out with your concerns regarding changes in your buttock size following weight loss. I hope this response provides a clearer understanding of your situation.

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

Dear Gentle254140,
I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment, it would be difficult to determine what went wrong. It is best that you visit your plastic surgeon for further assessment or ask for a second opinion. Only after a thorough examination, you can get proper recommendations and advice.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Thanks for your question. Weight loss, weight gain and exercise do affect BBL results. The fat transferred to your buttocks is affected in the same manner as when you normally lose weight or gain weight or exercise. Hope this helps. Please always consult with a board certified plastic surgeon. Take care, Moises Salama MD, board certified plastic surgeon

Thank-you for your question! Weight loss after a Brazilian buttock Lift can certainly impact on the results of your procedure. Some of the weight you lost from the buttocks could be from swelling and some from the fat being absorbed. Once you gain weight the size of the buttocks, will generally increase in proportion to your current fat distribution, and not preferentially in your buttocks. Please discuss your concerns with your Plastic surgeon before your next procedure. All the best!

Hi Gentle254140,Weight loss for anyone (post-surgery or not), will impact the whole body and not a specific area in particular. After a lipotransfer procedure such as a BBL, a percentage of the fat will be loss causing a decrease in the initial volume seen soon after the surgery. Also, 4 months after surgery, the initial swelling has decreased significantly. Discus with your surgeon your concerns. Maybe an additional round of fat grafting is necessary to achieve your desired volume. Good luck and thanks for sharing.

Thank you for your question. It's important to remind you that if you gain weight you will not just gaining weight in your desired area, your body gaining weight in all the areas: arms, abdomen, back, thighs, etc. And as you are still in recovery time from a BBL procedure, 5 Lbs. can be due to the inflammation, your fat still have time to grow so I will not recommend to have a gain weight diet in your healing time. Hope this help.

Hello @Gentle254140, thank you for your question. Doctor criteria vary from specialist to specialist. Taking on additional weight before a liposuction procedure would alter the results, so I don't recommend it for my patients. When you gain weight before a procedure what happens in the fat cell is that it enlarges, not that more fat cells are created inside the body. What is really important is that fat seeding is optimal so that the fat cells that are grafted to the buttocks remain attached and do not die. Here is a video that sheds more light on the topic. wishes! Alan Gonzalez MD, FACS. American Society of Plastic Surgery Member (ASPS), Colombian Society of Plastic Surgery member (SCCP), International Federation for Adipose Therapeutics and Science” Member (IFATS).

It's difficult to say what caused the decrease in the size of your buttocks. Typically a five pound weight loss or gain would not cause noticeable changes. It could be related to decrease in swelling or loss of a portion of the grafted fat.

No posted before or after photos? Only 5 pounds weight loss, but you did not mention your height & weight? I believe the limited weight loss is not the reason of your BBL's volume decrease. It is fat cells dying. Or maybe the fat injected was hyperdiluted with saline? Best to virtual consult with...

Weight loss will reduce your overall amount of fat in your entire body. It doesn’t just affect one area.
The majority of grafted fat after BBL will be lost during the first six months.
A 5 pound weight loss is not that significant. It would have a subtle impact on your BBL result but considering that everybody would also reduce in size it is probably not the primary reason for lack of results.
Without the pictures we can’t make an assessment. I recommend always including proper before and after pictures if you want an assessment on the outcome of your procedure.
Most people fluctuate by a few pounds on an almost daily basis.
Personally I do not recommend people gaining weight for the purpose of having fat transfer.
If you need more fat for fat transfer than other areas should be treated with Liposuction for the purpose of grafting fat.
Consider getting a few in person consultations or a second opinion consultations.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD