Is recovery for fat transfer to hips different than a BBL?

Question

Hello, I’m interested in getting fat transfer to my hips, to fill out my hip dips and to give me a more hourglass shape. I don’t want a BBL, as I don’t have enough fat to have a butt and hip augmentation. What will recovery be like for hip dip lipofilling? Is it the same as a BBL in the sense that I have to wear a faja, have to only sleep on my stomach, have to sit with a special pillow ect, or will recovery be easier and shorter?

Ryan A. Stanton, MD · Answer

Allow me to answer your question as best i can without any photos. However, please keep in mind that an in-person consultation with physical exam is first necessary before any legitimate evaluation or final surgical recommendations are made.

In general, cosmetic hip implants are the most reliable, predictable, and permanent option for filling in the hip dips and creating more of that feminine hourglass figure, whether slim or not.  Typically hip implants are best custom designed and created for each individual patient’s anatomy. Because an extremely few number of board-certified plastic surgeons perform this procedure, make sure you seek consultation with a reputable and experienced cosmetic hip implant specialist.  You may have to travel a long distance from home to find this particular surgeon.  On the other hand, fat transfer to the hip area tends to survive quite poorly in most patients and thus produces only short term results (often less than 10-12 months). Glad to help.

Rafael Arenas, MD · Answer

Either Fat transfer to the hips or BBL will requiere to obtain the fat with liposuction and this Post op care will me equal. The care where the fat is injected ( hoops) will requiere the same care than BBL. An evaluation with a board certified plastic surgeon where the post op care he/she recommend ( garments, way to sleep, etc) it will be the best choice according to his/her experience..

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Fat grafting to the contour abnormality may be the best alternative, but an exam would be necessary to examine quality of skin and nature of the deformity. Compression garments play an important role in proper healing after liposuction. Sleeping on the sides would put pressure on the hips. Recovery should be shorter and easier than with a BBL.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear anom13580,
I instruct my patients not to sit for 2 solid weeks. We provide them a specialized pillow that our patients can sit on during that time. They can sleep on their stomachs.Fat viability depends a lot of surgeon technique. The fat has to be placed back into the hips as soon as possible so that it has a greater chance of survival. It has to be placed carefully so that not too much fat is placed in only one area.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Is recovery for fat transfer to hips different than a BBL?

Answers (4)