Is it possible to get a fat embolism 5+ years after a BBL?

Question

Is it possible to get a fat embolism 5 plus years after getting a bbl?

Semih Yildiz, MD, FEPOBRAS · Answer

A fat embolism from a BBL is an acute surgical complication, meaning it would typically happen during surgery or in the very early postoperative period, not 5 or more years later. Once the transferred fat has healed and established its blood supply, it does not suddenly enter the bloodstream years later in the way a perioperative fat embolism occurs.

Years after a BBL, patients can still have other issues such as firmness, fat necrosis, oil cysts, asymmetry, or contour changes, but those are different from a fat embolism.

That said, if you are asking because you currently have symptoms such as sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, fainting, rapid heartbeat, coughing blood, confusion, or severe leg swelling/pain, you should seek emergency care immediately. Those symptoms need urgent evaluation for serious causes such as a blood clot in the lungs or other medical problems, regardless of your BBL history.

If you have a new lump, firmness, pain, or contour change in the buttock area years later, see a board-certified plastic surgeon for an exam and possibly imaging, but a new fat embolism 5 years after BBL would be extraordinarily unlikely.

Ryan Rebowe, MD · Answer

It would not be possible to get a fat embolism that far out. Fat emboli are caused by direct injection of fat into a vein during the procedure. There is no way that fat could migrate that far out from a procedure. However, symptoms of shortness of breath, chest pain, or other signs and symptoms of fat embolus can be a sign of other medical problems and may require immediate medical attention depending on their severity.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear skershaw123,
fat embolism can occur at any time. However, it is unlikely that BBL will be the cause of fat embolism after 5 years. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination, you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Jonathan A. Schwitzer, MD · Answer

Hello, while anything is possible, it is unlikely to have a fat embolism 5+ years following a BBL. Fat emboli during a BBL, while exceptionally rare, can occur during a BBL. When they do occur, they would likely occur during the actual fat injection into the buttock, and/or during the liposuction aspect. Fat emboli can occur from injuries to veins (blood vessels). Following injury, negative pressure in the veins can lead to fat entering the veins and circulation. When this occurs during the fat injection aspect of the procedure, this can be dangerous as there are large veins in the buttock deep to the muscle which could allow large fat particles to enter circulation. This is why fat should never be injected deep to muscle. Fat embolism are unlikely to occur many years later because any injured vessels from the procedure will have either healed or clotted off (no longer functional) soon after surgery. If you are having any symptoms concerning for a fat embolism I'd recommend contacting your surgeon if symptoms are mild. But, if you have any serious symptoms such as many petechiae, respiratory issues, confusion/agitation...I'd recommend being evaluated quickly.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

All individuals are at all times at risk for things going wrong. Fat embolism are most commonly associated with long bone fractures or pelvic fractures.
Fat embolism’s that happened during surgery present themselves with immediate symptoms making people extremely sick within the first few days.
Best, 
Mats Hagstrom, MD

Is it possible to get a fat embolism 5+ years after a BBL?

Answers (5)

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