7 months post-op, what could be the cause of this BBL dent? (Photo)

Hi and thank you for your question regarding a dent in your buttocks after a BBL. It looks like the fat in that area did not survive, therefore leaving you with the dent. Causes of this could be pressure applied to that area, lack of blood supply, fat that wasn't positioned correctly during the BBL. If you have remaining fat, you can get another BBL to fill in the dents. If not, you can get liposuction of the protruding areas and have that fat transferred to the dents. I hope this helps answer your question about the dents in your buttocks after a BBL.

Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. (“Verified” Plastic Surgeon, President of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, and International College of Surgery, and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)

Hello @racheljr15, thank you for your question and showing you pictures. It is important to take into account several aspects among which is the surgical technique applied and to ask the specialist that performed the surgery. Best wishes! Alan Gonzalez MD, FACS. American Society of Plastic Surgery Member (ASPS), International Federation for Adipose Therapeutics and Science” Member (IFATS), Colombian Society of Plastic Surgery member (SCCP).

You are in good company with many others who had high hopes for BBL but instead received disappointing results (lumpiness, unevenness, lack of projection in the central and/or lower buttock, post-deflation sagging, etc.) as most of the fat melts away. It is not quite as much the quality of the doctor nor liposuction technique but rather the quality of the procedure that is a large part of the problem. Thus, going back for round 2 BBL most often producmmhes the same disappointing results but at another financial loss. Buttock implants indeed provide a more reliable, predictable, relatively safe, and permanent result, especially for adding projection to the buttock and often smoothing out lumpiness. Occasionally a lower buttock tuck may be advantageous for lower buttock fold asymmetries and/or sagging. Please keep in mind that an extremely few number of board-certified plastic surgeons specialize in buttock implants so be sure to consult with one that is reputable and experienced. Unfortunately you may have to travel long and far away from home to find this particular surgeon. Glad to help.

It is my undertstanding that you had BBL, which includes both liposuction and fat transfer to buttocks/hips? I am sure that you have been told before surgery, that fat transfer is not completely predictable procedure. In order words, about 50-70% of transfered fat would survive. It does not have to be symmetric, and more tissue may be lost in one site, area, than another. Dents due to a fat necrossis, in particular if that happens close to the surface, may be visible and will need additional correction. I would encourage you to wait few more months until process stabilize and mature, and consider new fat grafting procedure (with scar release) of the area in question. Hope this helps. Good luck.

Hello and thank you for posting. This is probably due to over injection on an area that was a bit too tight. You probably had a dent (or at least tighter skin) in that exact same spot before. The surgeon tried to fill it out but the connective tissue holding the skin tight was not released. Therefore fat will push up on the skin that is looser but it does not have enough strength to push the part of your skin with tighter connective tissue. This dent is usually accentuated after the fat has thrived and the bbl starts to show its end result and true size. Releasing the connective tissue with a special canula usually helps. This is best done during the BBL but can also can be done after the BBL.

Best of luck,
Dr. Miguel Mota

Thanks for your question. Can be a lot of reason for a dent after liposuction, fat necrosis is the common one, My recommendation is to do a follow up with your doctor and get some testing and evaluations for better answer and proper recommendations. Hope this helps

Dear racheljr15,
I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment, it would be difficult to determine what went wrong. It is best that you visit your plastic surgeon for further assessment or ask for a second opinion. Only after a thorough examination, you can get proper recommendations and advice.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

A Brazilian butt lift (BBL) is a cosmetic surgery procedure that enhances the shape and size of the buttocks by transferring fat from other areas of the body: Brazilian butt lift (BBL)ProcedureFat is removed from other areas of the body, such as the thighs, hips, lower back, or belly, and injected into the buttocksGoalTo improve the shape and volume of the buttocks, and sometimes to create an hourglass figureResultsMore rounded and fuller buttocks, and sometimes a smaller-looking waistRisksExpensive, can be dangerous, and there are no guaranteed resultsRecoveryPain is usually minimal, and full recovery takes about six monthsMaintenanceResults should last for many years, but it's important to maintain a stable weightA BBL is different from a traditional "lift" procedure, like a breast lift or facelift, because it doesn't improve sagging or excess skin. A BBL is also different from other butt lift techniques because it doesn't use implants. Candidates for a BBL should have good skin tone in their buttocks and hips, be in good health, and not have medical conditions that would impair healing.

Nice posted 1 photos of lateral buttock denting. Most likely due to fat cell death or necrosis. I wonder did you have some pre operative denting? Pre op photos would be helpful. Only either: more fat grafting; injection of Radiesse/Scultpra/HAs; combo of bth can effectively improve the denting. Best to virtual consult with....

Form the one photo, it appears that the dent is either from the lack of fat transferred to that area or several bands connecting the skin to the muscle below. A revision procedure with release of these bands and fat placement should fix it.
Best wishes.
Dr. Taranow