When will extreme swelling (from BBL) in buttocks go down so I feel comfortable leaving the house?

Question

Hi! I had a bbl performed five days ago. The lipo sites are doing fine, but my bottom is so huge that I'm embarrassed to leave the house. I only had 200 ccs in each side, so I know it's swelling and not fat graft making it look huge. My children are laughing at it, my husband is freaked out. I understand that it can take up to a year for swelling to subside, but I want to know when the majority will go down so that I can get back to my life. So worried, considering sitting on it to kill the fat!

Christopher T. Chia, MD · Answer

As your surgeon probably pointed out, more fat is injected than is needed because no matter how carefully and technically advanced the fat is transferred from one place to another, a certain percentage will not survive over the long term. Also, in the short term (as you've noticed) there is swelling simply from the injection of the fat. The swelling is mostly visibly resolved in about 4-6 weeks (although you correctly noted it may take longer for all of it to go away) leaving a reasonably good estimation of the early fat 'take'. The total volume may go down over the next few months then settle in the final volume. Please don't do anything at this early juncture to encourage fat destruction since you have time for everything to settle down and good luck.

Germán Newall, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question. Recovery from liposuction and Brazilian butt lift is usually 1-2 weeks. Patients may experience bruising and tenderness in the areas where liposuction was performed, with very little pain on the actual buttocks.

Tania Medina de Garcia, MD · Answer

Hello dear!!
Thanks for the question and provided information as well. 
You are still early on the healing process, it can take up to six months to see your final results, so please be patient​. After a BBL, only about 70% of the transferred fat cells will survive, so you can expect a reduction in your buttocks. If you have any concerns, I suggest you follow up close with your plastic surgeon.
Good luck :)

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

With 200 cc's of fat to each buttock, that is not alot of fat. More than likely what you are seeing is swelling as well.  Most swelling susually subsides within 3-6 weeks.

Tracy Kayan, MD · Answer

The majority of swelling settles down in the first 2 weeks, and then residual swelling calms down in the following months. Some people simply swell more than others! I sometimes recommend to patients to take it easy, decrease salt intake and increase protein intake, as this can sometimes slightly improve the swelling in the short term. Be patient - things will get better shortly!

When will extreme swelling (from BBL) in buttocks go down so I feel comfortable leaving the house?

Answers (5)

Answer: BBL

Answer: BBL

Answer: Swelling after butt lift

Answer: Swelling after butt lift

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Everything you need to know about Brazilian Butt Lift

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When will extreme swelling (from BBL) in buttocks go down so I feel comfortable leaving the house?

Answers (5)

Answer: BBL

Answer: BBL

Answer: Swelling after butt lift

Answer: Swelling after butt lift

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Brazilian Butt Lift

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.