What causes fat cells to shrink/die after a Fat Transfer to buttocks? (photos)

Congratulations on your result.  Don't worry that additional fat cells are dying as there is no real reason for this to happen.With Brazilian butt lift we transfer fat from one area of the body to the other. These fat cells are transferred in microinjections throughout multiple planes in the buttock tissue so that they can gain new blood supply and live in their new home, providing increased volume and shape to the buttocks.You are likely seeing changes as a result of decreasing swelling.  After surgery there is a predictable swelling process that mostly resolves over two months, when the final result really settles in.  

Lack of oxygen and nutrients to the transplanted fat will cause them to die. We always expect 1/3-1/2 of the fat to get absorbed so sometimes it's worth considering a staged operation where more fat is injected into a vascularized bed. This means that the already-integrated fat cells can help maintain the viability of the new cells in a second stage procedure.

At 12 weeks you should have your final results. Once the fat has ¨installed  and has new blood supply it will stay permanently .  Your results seem  very nice. You can also gain 5 pounds and the fat cells will also increase on their size ;)Best wishes 

Based on your photos I believe the improvement is excellent. Fat does not have a direct blood supply, it survives by fluid percolating past and through it. The fat pull in what it needs and therefore survives. In fat grafting, not all the fat survives. I am certain this was discussed with you before surgery. Over the next weeks this will stabilize and those fat cells that survived will start a growing process. I think you will be surprised and happy with the overall results.Good LuckStephen M. Davis, MD, FACSGreen Hills Plastic Surgery

Your results are excellent; you may notice loss of swelling which is not related to fat cell death; reason for fat cell death can include placing too much fat which then can compete for blood supply or it can be a technical error during surgery when handling the fat cells. Over all though, you look great and I believe that your loss in volume is related to resolution of swelling.