Is it normal to already lose some volume 1 week post op from a BBL?

Question

I usually hear people saying they lose volume at 3 weeks, so I'm nervous if I lose a lot more than this. But I have lost a lot of inflammation all over my body (my body is healing fast I guess) I have barely to none inflammation on my back and just some on my waist and stomach. Could it be that I just lost inflammation quicker than most people or will I be losing more volume as time passes ?

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

The results immediately following surgery will be the largest due to swelling and lack of fat resorption.  The buttocks will continue to decrease in size for the first few weeks.   I have observed that between 4 and 6 weeks the buttocks tend to stabilize in volume.  Usually by 3 months, the swelling is minimal and totally resolved by 6 months.  
Kenneth Hughes, MD, ABPS Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Los Angeles, CA

Carolina Restrepo, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question. Healing after liposuction and brazilian butt lift is usually pretty straight forward.  You are likely seeing changes as a result of decreasing swelling.  After surgery there is a predictable swelling process that mostly resolves over two months, when the final result really settles in.  The lateer phase of healing takes place over the 2-3 months after surgery where everything really settles and softens.  It is after this time that we are getting close to the final result, though this varies patient to patient.

Tania Medina de Garcia, MD · Answer

Hello dear!!
Thanks for the question and provided information as well. 
After a BBL, only about 70% of the transferred fat cells will survive, so it is normal to see a minor reduction in your buttocks. If you have any concerns, I suggest you to follow up close with your plastic surgeon.
Good luck :)

Raffi Hovsepian, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for the question.
Yes, you may be losing a lot more inflammation early than the average person which may contribute to the initial buttock volume loss. The standard loss is between 3 weeks (earliest) to 8 weeks (latest) for the buttock. Your surgeon will be able to tell you at your routine follow up visit if it is actual fat loss or actual inflammation reduction.

Wendell Perry, MD · Answer

In my patients I lose most of the volume in the buttocks in the first two weeks.   By three weeks I don't see the size of the buttocks change much after that.  At 2 to 3 months the volume is the same but the shape starts to change as the swelling goes down and the skins softens. 
In my patients I think I lose 20 to 30% of the volume in that first 2 to 3 weeks.  The fat transfer the breast I think I lose 50% of the volume.  For fat transfer the face I don't lose a drop of volume.

Is it normal to already lose some volume 1 week post op from a BBL?

Answers (7)

Answer: Is it normal to already lose some volume 1 week post op from a BBL?

Answer: Is it normal to already lose some volume 1 week post op from a BBL?

Answer: Volume lost after fat transfer

Answer: Volume lost after fat transfer

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Is it normal to already lose some volume 1 week post op from a BBL?

Answers (7)

Answer: Is it normal to already lose some volume 1 week post op from a BBL?

Answer: Is it normal to already lose some volume 1 week post op from a BBL?

Answer: Volume lost after fat transfer

Answer: Volume lost after fat transfer

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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.