My butt keeps shrinking after a BBL, what can I do to avoid further shrinking?

There are two stages of shrinking of the buttocks right after the fat grafting to the buttocks.

Right after surgery not only has the fat been added, but there's a great deal of soft tissue swelling.  Much of this soft tissue swelling will resolve in about 3 to 6 weeks, that's only the beginning.

The second phase of shrinkage occurs as the body decides how much of the fat that has been injected will take on a new blood supply be maintained. Fat that does not take on blood supply from the surrounding tissues will ultimately be absorbed by your body, and this can take 6 to 12 months.

Do not be discouraged yet, what you're going through is  a part of the normal healing process.  Areas where the fat has been removed will also be shrinking as well and this can help to accentuated the areas where the fat has been placed.

Because a certain percentage of the fat is reabsorbed after surgery most surgeons will overcorrect from the get go.  If , after a year, you feel that you need more enhancement, additional fat grafting can likely be performed.

Best wishes

 

The shrinkage you're experiencing in the first 3 weeks is due to resolving edema (swelling) after any surgery, including BBLs! The next few months will have additional "shrinkage" due to an expected reabsorption of approximately 30% of the fat that was transferred. There is no way to affect these two parts of the healing process even if you follow your surgeon's directions perfectly.

Hello and thank you for your question. 3 weeks after surgery this "shrinking" is likely a combination of two factors: some of the transferred fat in BBL does not survive and postoperative swelling gradually resolves with time in the first few weeks. We expect approximately 60% of transferred fat to survive, and this is affected by many things. Luckily it sounds like you are diligently following postoperative instructions. Just be sure to also avoid extreme heat or cold and to avoid any substances that may decrease blood flow to the surgical site such as excessive amounts of caffeine or any nicotine including second-hand. That and making sure that you are eating a balanced diet are the only things that I would add to the things you are doing postoperatively.

I try to advise my BBL patients that everyone experiences postoperative swelling. The first week postoperatively, when you have all of the transferred fat and your body is swelling because of the surgery, is when you are most swollen. Gradually this swelling goes down with time. I would expect around 6 weeks postop is when you can see the permanent new shape of your body. At three weeks your body is still healing and changing. Your surgeon likely fat grafted as much as was safely possible at the time of surgery. Best of luck.

Thanks for your question...Most of the volume patients see is swelling, as well, not all fat cells will survive. By 3 months you should see your final result. Try to keep a stable weight post BBL.You can learn more on our social media (Instagram and Snapchat): @realdrsix.

Regards,

Brazilian Butt Lift results can last a lifetime. However,  around 30% of the fat won't survive the transfer. However, the remaining fat will remain alive because blood vessels and capillaries from the surrounding soft tissue of the buttocks will grow into the transferred fat. The blood vessels growing into the transferred fat will supply oxygenated blood for the fat to survive. The transferred fat will feel normal and should stay in place for years to come.

After BBL the swelling is maximal 1-2 days after surgery and will diminish for six months. Most of the swelling resolves in the first two months. That is different than fat absorption. The fat that does not live will be absorbed by your body over the next six months. The living fat will remain permanently, and will increase or decrease if your weight changes in the future, just like the rest of your fat cells.

Thank you for your question. I would suggest to keep following the post op advice provided by your board certificated plastic surgeon with experience in this procedure, to get the best desired results.
Kind Regards,Dr. Emmanuel Mallol Cotes.-

hello thank you for your question and provided information as well. based on your question, it is normal that after a bbl shrinks a little because you must resorbable a percentage of fat, ie 60-70%.

Usual resolution of shrinking occurs at 3 months. This all depends on how much of the fat has taken to the new area that it was put. Each case is different but on average the new area keeps 60-70%. If shrinkage does occur, a second procedure can be done to liposuction and fat transfer again. Please make sure to have a discussion with your plastic surgeon to have appropriate expectations, so they can overfill to the right level!

Thank you for your question!  After having performed a large number of Brazilian Butt Lifts, I have had the opportunity to follow numerous patients long term post-operatively.  There are many factors that seem to assist in maintaining volume and then there are some things that may be more patient dependent.  I have found that first off, I don't combine BBLs with other procedures.  For example, I focus only on the body contouring using liposuction technique followed by fat transfer.  This would seem to preserve volume post operatively due to not sitting on your butt because it was not combined with a tummy tuck or breast surgery.  I explain to patients that fluid hydration is extremely important to prevent dehydration and provide an optimal environment for recovery.  Normally, I request that patients only walk without getting their heart rate elevated and not perform "light cardio" until about 6 weeks.  Also, the location where the fat is injected also makes a difference.  Fat injected into the hip region has a lower likelihood of living whereas fat injected to the prominence of the butt, has a greater chance of survival.  Now, for some patients fat transfer works amazingly well and they have a high survival of fat regardless of the location injected.  Some patients don't seem to hold onto the fat as much.  This is what I mean by results varying with each patient despite performing a similar procedure.  Overall though, Brazilian Butt Lifts are highly successful and a real "game changer" for improving one's contours whether you are a man or woman undergoing the operation.  I hope this helps!!

Thanks for your question. You're not dong anything wrong. Shrinkage is normal after a BBL as the swelling is subsiding. After the shrinking phase, the fat will start to grow and the buttocks will get bigger. So just be patient and always consult with your plastic surgeon.
Take care,
Moises Salama M.D., Board Certified Plastic Surgeon