Fat Transfer to Buttocks

I have had much experience in fat grafting to the buttocks for Brazillian Buttock Augmentation in Los Angeles. I have had patients from 105 lbs to more than 200 lbs. the best results were in those that had much fat available for harvesting. In my experience depending on the technique of harvesting, processing, and injecting the fat, at least 90% of the volume can stay. I have had several patients who have retained more than 90% of their buttock volume despite having had pregnacies, working out, and after more than 5 years.

Fat transfer to the buttock has become an extremely popularprocedure as it has the ability to enhance the entire body shape. It cantransform a woman’s body from a square appearance to more of an hour glassshape.

The amount of fat that needs to be transferred varies frompatient to patient. The ultimate resultscome from the combination of liposculpting and the augmentation of thebuttock. In the majority of woman aminimum of 400cc of fat needs to be transferred to each buttock cheek (thus atotal of 800cc of fat) to see a real difference, however on average patientstypically have 800cc placed per side in the buttock for an augmentation.

Fat cannot be compared to breast implants. 800cc of augmentation for a buttock is notthe same as an 800cc implant for a breast augmentation. Fat is softer and thus takes more volume toaugment the buttock.

In general there is not a said limit on the amount of fat that can be transferred into the buttock.  However like most things in plastic surgery, two things in particular deserve attention here.  Firstly, the best aesthetic outcomes are those that create symmetric and proportionate results.  Secondly, "the enemy of good is better" or bigger/more in this case.  in other words, frequently when we try to produce excessive results complications more frequently happen.  Best of luck and try to keep it proportional...RAS 

Hello, and thanks for the question. I completely understand your concern regarding the eventual size of your buttock after fat transfer. Many of my patients also want a result that is as full and round as possible. Sometimes this can be limited by the amount of fat that we can harvest, since, after removing the fluid and any unusable portions, the amount of pure, usable fat is only about 30-40% of what we originally remove with liposuction. You did not send any photos, but it is likely that, with your measurements and weight, this will not be a problem.Other issues that could limit your size include the overall dimensions of your buttock and how much tissue you have currently. The fat is injected in very small amounts throughout the muscle and the overlying fat. Each droplet of fat has to be surrounded by your natural tissue in order to receive oxygen and survive. Fat cannot be crowded, or placed under extreme pressure, because it won't survive under those conditions. So there is a definite "endpoint" for every fat transfer based on how much initial tissue there is to inject into. A board certified plastic surgeon with experience in fat transfer to the buttock would be able to give you a better idea of how large you could be after a physical exam.Severe dimpling or cellulite of the buttock may also limit the size of your buttock, due to the fact that the skin is held onto the muscle surface by fibers called "septa". The overlying skin may not expand easily if you have severe dimpling. Some of the fibers can be released (cut using a special cannula under the skin), but only a few, or the skin could lose support and sag off of the muscle, creating major contour problems. Again, an exam by a board certified plastic surgeon would be the best option.I hope this helps, and best of luck!

This is a common question and depends on several factors such as the amount of fat available for harvesting, the size of the patient and the recipient site (buttocks) among other things. The good news is that there are many advancements in BBL which allows larger amounts of fat to be harvested as well as transferred to maximize your results than not so long ago. Of course, there are limitations to the amount and this is something that you should discuss with your plastic surgeon during the consultation. Thanks for the question and good luck. 

The amount of fat that can be transferred to your buttocks during a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) depends on your body type, the fat available for harvesting, and your aesthetic goals. For patients with more body fat, surgeons can typically harvest between 500 to 1,500 cc per side, though some patients may be able to receive even larger amounts. On average, around 1 to 2 liters of fat in total can be transferred, but the exact amount will depend on individual factors like skin elasticity and the surgeon’s technique. It’s important to note that about 30% to 50% of the fat may not "take" or reabsorb, which is why it’s common to err on the side of transferring a bit more fat to account for this loss.
Patients who are interested in achieving significant volume increases should consult with an experienced plastic surgeon who can evaluate their body composition, skin elasticity, and desired outcome. A plastic surgeon will consider how much fat is available for removal through liposuction, typically from the abdomen, thighs, or flanks, and will then determine the appropriate amount to inject into the buttocks to achieve a proportionate and natural-looking result. Always keep in mind that while more fat transfer might seem like a good idea for a larger result, there are limits to how much fat can be harvested from liposuction and also how much fat the buttocks can safely accommodate.
Krishna Vyas, MD, PhD, MHSHarvard, Hopkins, & Mayo Clinic Trained Aesthetic Plastic SurgeonNew York, New York

Depending on which state you get the liposuction, the limit for liposuction can be either 4000cc or 5000cc. In my hands, approximately 80% of this fat is usable for transfer. Ideally, 80% of 5000cc here in Nevada would result in 4000cc of transferrable fat harvested, meaning 2000cc of fat into each buttock. Approximately 30% of that fat will be reabsorbed resulting in a final total of 1400cc in each buttock. This volume will certainly make a big difference in the appearance for your buttocks.

Thank you for your question. 50-60% will survive if it is grafted appropriately. I would advise you to schedule a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon for a detailed examination to discuss all possible treatment options and what your expectations are. 

Thanks for your question. It is hard to advice you without seeing photos or doing an in person evaluation. When planning a Brazilian butt lift, patients can look forward to a double benefit: reducing areas of unwanted fat while gaining a perkier, rounded posterior.  Each procedure must be planned according to the individual needs of patients, harvesting fat from target areas of the torso, thighs or knees and transferring it to create smooth, attractive contours optimized for each person.The amount of fat transferred depends on the quantity available and the extent of buttock augmentation each patient desires.  Sufficient body fat for a buttock augmentation is very patient-specific, depending on an individual’s body shape and proportions as well as their expectations.  That said, you definitely have to choose your surgeon correctly and make sure that he/she has the training and experience to meet your goals with absolute safety.  Best is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with specialized expertise in this procedure.

There are 2 areas of limitation when it comes to how large your butt can be after surgery...1) how much fat can we take, and 2) how much fat can we put in.
For the first part, even though you did not post photos, based on your height and weight you would have plenty of fat to be able to take in my opinion. The relative limit on how much can be removed and send you home the same day safely is about 5 liters of liposuction/fat. I think you would easily be able to get to this upper limit based on your height and weight.
For the second part....it depends where your butt is starting at. There is a point in which there is too much pressure in the butt that no more fat can really be injected. Pressure kills the fat cells (which is why you cannot sit on the butt for a few weeks after surgery). It also means that we cannot just keep injecting if the gluteus has fully expanded and is not able to take any more. If you are starting with a small butt.....there is a smaller limit. If you are starting with a medium sized butt.....there is a bigger limit. I like to use power assisted "vibration expansion filling" to really push the boundaries of how much fat can be injected into the buttocks. This helps to expand the buttocks on the table and get more fat into more stubborn areas. Typically, even for smaller girls, I will inject at least 1000ml per side (and up to 1600ml for larger girls). After this, as you have probably read, 30-50% of the fat will either reabsorb or "not take". However, with the removal of a large amount of fat around your midsection combined with careful technique and contouring of the butt and hips, we can make a very large difference in your overall proportion. Best of luck to you!
Ramsen Azizi M.D.
Double Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Chicago

Deciding how much fat to transfer to a patient’s buttocks is a decision made by the surgeon that takes safety, cosmetic result, and patient’s goals into account. I recommend reviewing your goals of surgery, by showing photos, or performing Vectra imaging in office, with your surgeon and listening to their recommendations for the safest, best-looking results possible.