Cellulite after BBL? Need some clarity on what this is, what could it be due by and if there is a procedure to fix it. (Photos)

Cellulite can definitely be caused by fat transfer and has often made worse by having a BBL. It’s rare that patients develop severe cellulite if they truly had none before the procedure. Typically cellulite is simply made worse by having fat transfer. Obviously having two rounds of fat transfer and gaining weight is going to simply double up the problem.

Cellulite is caused by connective tissue that pulls the skin down to the underlying muscle fascia. It’s a bit like furniture with tufted buttons creating indentations in stuffed pillows or sofas. The human body has an abundance of this connective tissue in areas that can take a lot of pressure. This includes the back of the thigh, the back and lower part of the buttocks, soles of the feet and palms of the hands.

The best analogy is using the hand. If you pinch and lift the skin on the back of your hand you can easily do so. If you tried doing that in your mid palm you’ll realize you can’t pinch and lift the skin in this area. The reason is that connective tissue is anchoring the skin to the underlying fascia. The same is true for your buttocks. The connective tissue does not stretch when the volume is added and a tufted cellulite appearance is created.

This should always be discussed during in person consultations before the procedure in patients who have cellulite to start with. There’s no great treatment for cellulite but avoiding excessive fat transfer is probably the first step.

The only real treatment option is a procedure called Subsicion. This can be done with a device called Celfina. It can give partial improvements.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom MD