Is BBL recovery noticeable/visible after 3 weeks?

Question

I want to get a BBL but do not want my current boyfriend (we live together) or roommates to know. If I go out of town for the surgery and stay out of town for 3 weeks post op, will the swelling and bruising have gone down enough to not make the surgery obvious? How long until the incisions/ swelling / bruising is no longer obvious or visible? After 3 weeks, is it possible to only wear the compression garments for 8 hours each day (while at work)?

Matthew J. Nykiel, MD · Answer

Hello and Great Question.  I appreciate the time you are spending researching this procedure.  My name is Dr. Matthew J. Nykiel.  I am a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, a Fellowship Trained Cosmetic Surgeon, and a Butt Augmentation Specialist.I perform a number of Fat Transfers (BBL) on College Students and Professionals.  These are individuals that also are required to sit for the majority of their day.  For the 1st week, I only want you to sit when going to the bathroom.  After the 1st week, you may sit on a pressure off loading pillow.  The college students and professionals do it all the time and they are very satisfied with their results.

I utilize a 4 week sitting protocol.  Again, the 1st week I like you to be off your butt as much as possible in the early stages of healing.  The protocol is: ◦ Week 1: Sitting for the bathroom ◦ Week 2: Sit as usual with the assistance of a pressure off-loading pillow. If you do not have a pillow then: 15-30 minutes at a time, then standing up to shift your weight. ◦ Week 3: Sit as usual with the assistance of a pressure off-loading pillow.  If you do not have a pillow then:  30-60 minutes at a time, then standing up to shift your weight. ◦ Week 4: Sit as usual with the assistance of a pressure off-loading pillow.   If you do not have a pillow then:  1-2 hours at a time, then standing up to shift your weight. ◦ Week 5:  No Sitting Restrictions.  Sit as usual.  Unless otherwise directed.

WORK:  Most of my patients are back to work in 1 week or less.

ACTIVITY:  After 1 week you can Run/Jog or go to the gym.  Prior to 1 week, I want you walking around as much as possible.

GYM:  After 1 week you can go to the gym.  You can do any upper body work out and/or Run/Jog.  No lower body squats or any activity that requires you to place pressure on your Butt/Gluts (i.e. Leg Press, Back Row etc) until after 4 weeks from surgery.  Best of Luck!  Please reach out if you have any further questions or concerns.

Matthew J. Nykiel, MD#TopREALSELFDoctor#CoreREALSELFDoctorButt Augmentation SpecialistLiposuction SpecialistBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon

William Bruno, MD · Answer

The obvious bruising of liposuction and fat transfer may be gone three weeks after surgery but you results will be noticeable. The incisions can take months to fully heal and fade. For best results you should wear the garment at all times for about one month. It's unlikely that you will be able to conceal this type of surgery from close friends.Best wishes,Dr.Bruno

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

You may be able to look presentable in 3 weeks, but there is some variability in healing and resolution of bruising.

Nicholas A. Flugstad, MD · Answer

When having significant surgery like liposuction and BBL, best advice is to have the help and support of those close to you while you recover. Ideally, your shape will be quite different and improved so those that you live with will probably notice. It's best to wear compression most of the time during the the first 4-6 weeks.

Arian Mowlavi, MD, FACS (license on probation) · Answer

The answer to your question depends on your body's healing as well as the observation skills of your boyfriend. At 3 weeks, bruising should also be gone for most people. The incisions made during BBL are very minimal and should be pretty well healed up at 3 weeks as well. Scars can take several months to fully resolve.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Most people who get a BBL want to look differently different after the procedure.

At three weeks your bottom will be substantially larger than what you're started unless you're having a tiny amount of fat drafted in which case it makes no sense to have the procedure.

You will also have openings or scars or the fat was harvested from and where the fat was grafted.

Often as many as nine.

Unless your boyfriend has little recollection of what your body looks and feels like and the lights are completely out when you're exposed he will for sure know you had that procedure done.

The scars take 9 to 12 months to fade out where they will match your skin color.

Depending what you're wearing your roommates may or may not notice.

Each plastic surgeon has her own protocol for wearing compression garments.

You should check with your surgeon but the protocol you describe is reasonable with in my practice.

Honesty is generally the best policy this includes having surgery.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom M.D.

Is BBL recovery noticeable/visible after 3 weeks?

Answers (6)