Does BBL cause a smell if fat necrotizes?

Question

At first this question sounded ridiculous to me but it has recently been gaining hype on social media & forums to the point it has become a concern to me now ack.. So some say that when you get a BBL you have a smell, it’s unclear whether this is a long term thing, a permanent thing or what… It got me to thinking if the fat that doesn’t take - and necrotizes - creates a smell that comes from the body? Or something besides just a temporary healing-wound smell that i would’ve already expected.

Rajaie Hazboun, MD, MBA · Answer

Thank you for posting your question here!Fat necrosis on its own does not smell , but if you qcquire an infection in that area , you might develop a smell in addition to other symptoms such as redness , pain...etc, if you are having those issues I would encourage you to contact your surgeon.There is the other issue of inability to clean up the area well, wether due to discomfort early on or in individuals with multiple BBLs or massive fat transfers then due to the size of the buttocks etc , in that case it would be a hygiene issue rather than fat necrosis.I hope this helps, best of luck!

Ajaya Kashyap, MD · Answer

Thank you for your query. There is a short lived surgical smell of the antiseptics and tissues in the immediate post op period but unless there is an infection, necrosis of skin or an open wound there is no long lasting smell after fat transfer. Please discuss this with your experienced board certified Plastic surgeon if you are planning on this procedure. All the best!

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear jasmineH,

BBL surgery will not cause smell and also fat necrosis doesn't cause smell that you can feel. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination, you will get more information and recommendations.

Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Oliver Pope Simmons, MD, FACS · Answer

I have read this recently and discussed this with my 2nd rounders. The only thing that I get from my patients is there is a smell associated with body contouring when a patient had either HIdradenitis Supparitiva or possibly from the bbl is the cleft (butt crack ) is over accentuated from the procedure. These are body odors that occur when there is retention of sweat or body fluids. There can be minimized by the use of hibiclens and by judicious use of body powered and deodorants. There are nothing related to fat necrosis or anything that's occurring underneath the surface of the skin.

Mathew A. Plant, MD, FRCSC · Answer

Excellent question! Fat necrosis itself does not come with a smell unless it is associated with an infection. The BBL smell that is being talked about on social medial right now isn’t associated with fat necrosis it is associated with hygiene issues. The problem is in patients who have multiple rounds of BBL to the point that the size of their glutes makes it difficult to properly clean themselves after going to the bathroom. It can also be an issue with sweat collecting and causing a smell because the area between the glutes cannot ventilate properly. It is the same issue that can happen with hygiene in obese people because transferring that much fat to the glutes essentially creates the same anatomical situation in that area that an obese person suffers from due to weight gain in the area. If you are not seeking an overly exaggerated look or multiple rounds of fat transfer then you are unlikely to experience this issue but obviously proper hygiene is critical to avoid smelling whether you have no BBL or an extreme BBL. Hope that helps!

Mustafa Aydinol, MD · Answer

I totally understand why you’d be worried about something like this&mdash;it sounds like one of those things you hear about online that just makes you pause and ask, “Is this really going to happen to me?” Let’s break it down in simple terms.
What’s Going On?During a Brazilian Butt Lift, fat is taken from one part of your body and injected into your buttocks. It’s pretty normal that not all of the fat “takes” (i.e. establishes a new blood supply) and a certain percentage may die off. This is what we call fat necrosis. The key thing here is that while fat necrosis can create small, sometimes firm lumps or slight changes in the skin’s texture, it generally doesn’t cause a strong, lasting smell. ￼
So, Where Does the Smell Come From?After any surgery, including a BBL, you might notice a mild odor as part of the normal healing process. This is often due to: • Wound Healing Fluids: Small amounts of fluid (like what you’d see with any healing incision) can sometimes have a slight smell. • Hygiene Factors: If the area isn’t kept clean, bacteria can build up and produce an odor. Think of it like a damp gym bag&mdash;it’s not the material itself that smells, but the bacteria that love a moist environment. ￼
However, if you ever notice a strong, unpleasant smell that sticks around&mdash;especially if it comes with other signs like redness, swelling, pain, or even a fever&mdash;this isn’t normal. In those cases, the smell might be coming from an infection rather than just the normal healing process or fat necrosis. An infection is a different matter and should be checked out by your doctor right away. ￼
Bottom LineFat necrosis after a BBL is a common and usually harmless part of the process&mdash;it doesn’t typically lead to a bad smell. A mild odor during the healing phase can happen, but it’s usually temporary. If the odor becomes strong or is accompanied by other concerning symptoms, that might signal an infection, and you should get in touch with your surgeon.
Your surgeon should give you detailed aftercare instructions and be there to answer any questions along the way. It’s all about keeping an eye on the normal signs of healing and knowing when to ask for help. Stay safe and don’t hesitate to reach out to your healthcare team if you’re ever unsure about what you’re experiencing.

Karl William Schwarz, MD · Answer

The talk about BBLs smelling is false. I have performed thousands of BBLs over the last 15 years and I never once had someone complain or personally notice any odor after a BBL. It is a social media myth.

I think the idea comes from someone getting a monstrous butt and it is too big for the patients to reach around and clean their butt. I guess that might be true in an extreme case but that's just not what happens in real life.

Agustina Hilario Duran, MD · Answer

Fat necrosis after a BBL can sometimes cause a smell, but it’s not common. When fat doesn’t survive, the body typically absorbs it over time without major issues. However, if a significant amount of fat dies and becomes trapped, it can form lumps (oil cysts) or hard nodules. In rare cases, if there is an infection or liquefied fat drains through incisions, it may produce an odor. A foul smell, especially with redness, pain, or pus, could indicate an infection that needs medical attention.

David Gray, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Not at all. Some portion of the fat injected during a BBL will necrotize and then be absorbed by your body, but there is no smell associated with this. An infection can cause an odor and should be addressed by your plastic surgeon immediately. I suppose an odor is possible if tenderness in the area prevents adequate cleaning after using the facilities, but this shouldn’t really be an issue. I have never had a patient complain of this problem. Further, good hygiene is an important part of preventing infection after plastic surgery. If wet wipes or frequent showers are necessary for a few days after your lift, so be it.

Does BBL cause a smell if fat necrotizes?

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