How permanent are the results of a BBL?

Hello Kelseyy_93,
It’s a pleasure to answer your questions! Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) is proven to be a safer procedure in comparison with buttock implants. In fact, patients who have implants can experience pain and infection, and have trouble sitting on their buttocks for a longer period of time. Moreover, implant patients are more likely to develop seromas (lumps caused by an accumulation of serum within the tissue), and experience dehiscence and capsular contracture. Also, since BBL utilizes autologous fat (fat from your own body), the chance of allergic reactions to foreign substances, such as dermal fillers and implants, are reduced and the results are longer lasting. Recovery is also better with buttocks augmentation with fat grafting. BBL’s patients can usually return to work as short as one week after surgery, as opposed to those who receive buttock implants and would need at least two weeks to resume their regular activities. One of the main considerations when evaluating a patients’ candidacy for Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) surgery is whether they have enough fat stored in their body, so the surgeon can harvest enough fat cells to use during the fat transfer phase. For patients with insufficient fat deposits, plastic surgeons may advice weight gain before the BBL to qualify for the procedure. For a more voluptuous rear, I would suggest gaining at least 10 lbs. prior to your surgery. Several factors affect fat resorption such as patients’ anatomy, history of smoking, non-compliance with post-op protocols, etc. However, Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) successful results can be permanent. Usually, a highly skilled and experienced plastic surgeon will achieve around 65% to 85% survival rate of the fat cells. Patients can actively contribute on the success of the procedure and longevity of the results by following their surgeon’s recovery recommendations. I typically suggest my patients avoiding cigarettes and heavy drinking because these habits reduce circulation throughout the body, leading to the degradation of new cells. Another fundamental measure is wearing specialized compression garments around the clock (except for showering) for six months, to reduce swelling and help their skin contract smoothly to their new body’s contours. Additionally, at least ten lymphatic drainage massage sessions are required, starting 24 hours after the procedure, to eliminate excess lymph fluid, alleviate swelling and discomfort, and also prevent complications such as seromas (fluid collection) and contour irregularities (indentations, and/or fibrosis). In my experience, patients who successfully avoid sitting or putting pressure on their buttocks or stretching for the first 8 weeks after BBL surgery are much more likely to have long-lasting results than patients who fail to follow this advice. I wouldn’t recommend doing squats and lunges during the first 8 weeks following BBL surgery because it can cause the resorption of the newly transferred fat cells. Since every case is different, consult with your plastic surgeon to assess your candidacy for BBL surgery and discuss your specific needs and concerns. Best wishes! Dr. De La Cruz.

About 60% of fat from the transfer is retained and the results are permanent. The size will change with your weight just as the rest of your body does. In other words, the fat acts like it was naturally there. You can get a good idea of the final result after 6 months.

hello thank you for  your question and provided information as well.. based in your question , the bbl its permanent depending how many do you conserved.

The majority of the fat injected during a BBL procedure is permanent (about 60%). It takes a few months to see your final results. Gluteal implants can be added for extreme sizes but have more complications associated than fat transfer alone.Best wishes,Dr.Bruno

After the initial resorption phase, about 50 to 70% of the fat survives long term.  I have seen patients after a year or two and the pictures reveal that the gain is permanent.  Perhaps this is due to injection technique, harvest technique, amount transferred.  An exam or pictures would provide a better way to evaluate you for the procedure.

Dear Kelseyy_93,it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

The controversy surrounding the "permanence" or "temporary" nature of the results buttock augmentation via autologous fat grafting speaks to the variable nature of fat grafting as a technique.Technically speaking the results of fat grafting should be permanent in the sense that grafted fat which has becomevascularized should not disappear several months post op.
However, there is an initial period, immediately post op where some of the grafted fat is lost. It is during this period that some may sense that their aesthetic outcome is fleeting. Every patient reaches a point after which the grafted fat which has become vascularized is permanent and the fat graft which has not will have undergone resorption. This is typically reached by 3-4 months post op. 
For some patients, the graft take vs loss ratio will be favorable and for others less so. There is no question that there is both variability in techniques as well as outcome.With regards to your specific question, once healed the results are permanent. Prior to that point there is some variability. Implants give a more consistent result. However, the less natural feel makes these options less desirable.
As always, you should seek a board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS) who is experience in both the science and art of autologous fat grafting to help you understand the procedure and provide a reasonable idea of what to expect both immediately post op and long term.

Kelseyy_93 HI There , Thank you for your Question Many surgeons, including myself, offer online virtual consultations where you send us your photos and we can estimate the cost. I, like many surgeons, also offer free consultations so that you can be examined and given the most accurate quote.to answer your question on this procedure you are getting your own fat transfer , that means , if you gain weight you will gain weight on your buttocks too and if you loose weight you will lose weight on your buttocks as well so pretty much depends on you . please watch the video . 

Fat cells are harvested from donor areas and injected into the areas we want to enhance during the BBL procedure. It takes an estimated 3 to 4 weeks for those transferred fat cells to "take" and grow their own blood supply. Your surgeon will provide you with specific protocols for sitting, sleeping and wearing a compression garment. It is critical to adhere to these guidelines to achieve optimal results. Your results are permanent, and fat will not melt away. However, keep in mind that bodily changes such as weight fluctuations, pregnancy and the natural aging process can affect its appearance over time. These factors can alter your result, but the overall shape will remain.

Thank you for your question. It is difficult to evaluate your candidacy for BBL with no photos. I would recommend a virtual (we offer free consultations) or an in person consultation to assess how much fat is available for the transfer. Fat can be harvested from different areas such as abdomen, flanks, back, inner thighs, arms....Fat that has been introduced to the buttocks will act in unison with the rest of the fat in a patients body and should respond proportionally to any fluctuations in weight that can result from diet and/or exercise. If you lose weight, the fat will also shrink proportionally with your body. I do not recommend gluteal implants due to high complication rate.Seek a plastic surgeon who performs many of these procedures, has great reviews and photos, and is an expert in this field.