I have lost about 60% of the volume I had day one after by BBL, I am at 10 days post op.

Question

My surgeon told me the fat cells will enlarge once they find blood and oxygen supply. Yes I have compared pre BBL photos with the daily ones I have been taking. The doctor actually reviewed them with me yesterday too. I am not reading anywhere that is the case. Will the fat cells re-enlarge overtime without weight gain?

Samir Shureih, MD · Answer

Fat Graft is the most unpredictable surgery plastic surgeons do.A graft can take and survive, or it can NOT take and the graft is lost. This is true for any graft.With so many variables for technique, volume grafted, viability of the graft, suitability of the host, the reality is at optimal conditions only 40-60% of fat transferred will survive. Which means only 40-60% of the transferred fat will stay on the long run, under the best optimal conditions. Patients request 1000cc to 2000cc of fat transfer. There is no way all this fat is going to acquire new blood supply from normal surrounding tissue to survive. One has the proof for that in fat transfer to the face when smaller amounts of fat is transferred, about 30 cc and sometimes all of that fat is absorbed and nothing remains. So fat graft, specially large volume fat graft is unpredictable.Fat cells that survive and take and acquire new blood supply will ONLY enlarge if the fat cell gains weight (Increase in size) only.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Most patients will lose a substantial volume in the first week or two after a BBL.Much of the volume seen initially after the procedure represents numbing solution and swelling. So only part of the volume initially seen is grafted fat. Of the grafted fat a certain percentage will not survive.That fat is slowly absorbed over many months. Most patients will see an immediate decrease in size over the first few weeks then a gradual decrease in size for as long as nine months after the procedure.  i'm not quite sure what your doctor is referring to when he says the fat cells well enlarge  once they obtain a blood supply. It may be that fat cells are temporarily dehydrated and this reverses  once a blood supply has been established.I don't think this  potential growth with the blood supply will represent any significant increase in volume. Very few patients complain that their bottom is too big long term after a BBL. Many wish they would have retained more volume. Best,Mats Hagstrom M.D.

I have lost about 60% of the volume I had day one after by BBL, I am at 10 days post op.

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I have lost about 60% of the volume I had day one after by BBL, I am at 10 days post op.

Answers (2)

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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.