Have I killed a lot of fat cells In buttocks? (photo)

Question

I am 16 days post op from full body lipo and fat grafting to butt and hips with breast lift with 400 ccs implants.. I was advised to sleep and sit on butt .. I've been sleeping & sitting (with boppy) however scared I killed fat I see the flattening on where there should be projection although buttocks is still extremely hard. I'm laying down for first time using breast pillow which is a bit uncomfortable (so was sitting Am I causing harm to my implants/stitches? How should I sleep (sides hurt)

Matthew Schulman, MD · Answer

Post op care and positioning are vital to a good BBL result. Pressure on the newly transplanted fat cells will kill them and can be the difference between 20% loos and 60% loss.  I have a very specific protocol that I review with my patients before and after the procedure. The protocol your surgeon uses will depend on exactly how he/she harvested the fat, processed the fat, and injected the fat. Give your surgeon a call and discuss this with him/her. We are always willing to speak with our post-op patients who have questions. It is no bother at all.

Carolina Restrepo, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question. Every surgeon will have his/her own preferences as to recovery for specific procedures. Postoperatively, no specific position is indicated and we do not have any sitting restrictions.  The pressure caused by sitting is not sufficient to affect viability of the fat cells and so the postsurgical position depends basically on comfort and any other operations that have been performed.

N. Bill Aydin, MD · Answer

The proper position for best fat survival is to sleep with a donut pillow and sleep on side to side.  As far as sitting, need to lean forward to avoid pressure on the buttock.  There is always going to be some fat that will not survive and time will show how much will take.

Karl William Schwarz, MD · Answer

Personally I prefer to separate breast and BBL surgeries to allow patients to focus on not sitting or laying on their butts. Every surgeon is different but I think something that is universally accepted by all surgeons is that there should not be any pressure on the buttocks for at least the first two weeks following surgery. I would call your plastic surgeon and review their protocol just to make sure you are allowed to sit on your butt.Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, Florida Medical Association

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

You should always ask your surgeon first. In general for my patients especially if they had their breasts done as well, they should find a position that is comfortable for them if it is on a side just don't stay in one position.

Have I killed a lot of fat cells In buttocks? (photo)

Answers (5)