Methods To Maximize Fat Survival After a Brazilian Butt Lift?

Fat survival after a Brazilian butt lift is mainly dependent on the surgical technique. There are many things that the surgeon can do to increase the survival of the fat and for subsequent long-term results.


1. Use small cannulas to inject the fat. A cannula should not have more than 3 mm diameter.
2. Inject the fat in multiple passes.
3. Inject the fat in different layers. The muscle layer has a better blood supply so the chances for fat survival will be higher.
4. Avoid excessive blood in the fat.
5. Do not not irrigate the fat with saline or any product.
6. Avoid the fat from being exposed to air for a long period of time.
7. Mix the fat with platelet gel. This is basically your own growth factors mixed with fat. It will improve angiogenesis. (Growth of vessels)
8. Avoid pressure on the buttocks that can damage the fat by not sitting for 10 – 14 days.
9. No smoking.
10. Use low power suction during liposuction and a liposuction machine that does not injure the fat.

About 60% of fat from the transfer is retained and the size will change with your weight just as the rest of your body does. In other words, the fat acts like it was naturally there. You can get a good idea of the final result after 6 months.

The best way to ensure fat survival is to refrain from sitting on your buttocks as much as possible. I advise my patients not to sit on their rear ends at all for the first week. After then they may sit for short periods of time with a pillow under your legs above the knee for 8 weeks and some patients use a special BBL pillow to alleviate pressure on the buttocks. I would not recommend sitting normally without a pillow or working out for 8 weeks. Good luck!Kamran Azad MD, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Thank you for your question!  Avoid sitting on you but for about 2-3 weeks after,   200 cc is not going to give you much of a desired result. Seek a plastic surgeon who performs hundreds of these procedures, has great reviews and photos, and is an expert in this field. Best of luck!Avoid sitting on it but in general 200 cc is not enough. Seek a plastic surgeon who performs hundreds of these procedures, has great reviews and photos, and is an expert in this field.

The Brazilian Butt Lift utilizes your own natural fat for
the augmentation. One of the keys of the
fat transfer is that it is incorporated and becomes your fat just in a better
place!



The key is how do we maximize the amount of fat that is
going “take” or survive for the augmentation.
One of the things that can help increase the amount of fat that stays
after the transfer is preventing any trauma to the buttock area, that includes
sitting. The pressure of sitting can be harmful to the fat for the first couple
of weeks after the transfer.



I typically have patients avoid sitting for two weeks after
the surgery. They can walk and sleep on
their belly, just no sitting. After the
first two weeks they can sit for an hour with a 10 minute break in between
sitting sessions. After six weeks they
can return to all of their normal routines.



There are special pillows that patients can purchase that avoids any pressure
on the buttock in the post-operative period so that they can sit at work and
still protect their fat transfer procedure.



I hope this helps, be sure to discuss this with your board
certified plastic surgeon.

It’s important to realize that fat cells are very fragile in
the immediate post-operative period.In
fact, 20-40% of fat cells may not survive fat grafting.This situation doesn’t improve until fat
cells have re-established blood supply with the surrounding tissue.In most cases, this takes about two weeks.At this point, fat cells become less
sensitive to the effects of pressure and are less likely to be damaged by
sitting or lying on the buttocks.Several
steps can be taken to increase fat cell survival.For instance, we limit sitting or lying on
the buttocks to one hour intervals for the first two weeks following
surgery.When patients do sit in a
chair, they should rest their weight on their posterior thighs, away from their
buttocks.In addition they should
utilize an inflatable pillow whenever possible.When sleeping they should lie on either their side or abdomen to avoid
pressure on the buttocks.These
routines place obvious limitations on physical activity for post-operative
patients. Unfortunately, failure to comply with these recommendations can
result in cell damage from pressure.This can result in contour irregularities and a less than optimal
result.

Hi there-

Because there is variability in the techniques among surgeons, and because many of us have varying regimens for postoperative management, you should ask your surgeon what they prefer for you to do and not do after surgery.

The most important things are for you to choose your surgeon (outcomes!) carefully, and that you follow thier instructions very carefully.

Don’t go on a diet to reduce calories.  Give the fat cells food and eat a higher calorie diet of excess of 2,000 calories a day with good fats…olive oil, nuts, walnuts, pecans and,  almonds for a time to be determined by your surgeon.  But first discuss this plan with your surgeon who should be involved in your activities and recovery.  They may want you to follow another plan and that is what you should do.

Good surgical technique by your plastic surgeon is the best way to ensure the highest survival of the fat cells during a brazilian buttock lift. The fat is typically injected quite deep into the gluteal muscle and deep soft tissue where the best blood supply exists. You should also avoid sitting for a few weeks after surgery to increase your fat cell survival.

A board certified plastic surgeon can examine you to determine if you are a good candidate for this or if you need to gain weight before surgery.

Best wishes,

Dr.Bruno

Different surgeons have varying post-BBL protocols for their patients. However, most doctors recommend not applying pressure to the fat grafted areas between 2 and 5 weeks post-procedure.  A BBL requires fat to be harvested from one area of the body and injected into the buttocks area to increase volume and enhance shape. The newly injected fat cells must re-establish a blood supply from the new environment so they can become more durable and assimilate to the surrounding area. This time frame of 10-14 days is fragile and it is critical to follow the post-procedure instructions that will be provided by the plastic surgeon you select. If the fat cells are exposed to adverse conditions during this healing period, they may not develop their own blood supply and die. Pressure is one of the top factors that cause the fat cells to die or relocate to areas where they are not wanted, which can result in unsatisfactory results.

I recommend speaking with the surgeon who will be performing the procedure about what protocol they recommend for optimal results. Most surgeons have a special pillow they recommend to their BBL patients that is designed to ensure that unnecessary pressure is not applied to the fat grafted areas.