I had a BBL done a year ago. I noticed a mass on the left glute/hip area while massaging. My post op therapist told me it was normal and it would go away but its been a year and it hasn't. In fact, it's grown a little and it has progressively become more painful. I went to a doctor and got an ultrasound, it's a 4cm mass that's applying pressure on my sciatic nerve. I'm shure I didn't have this pre op. Is this a normal side effect of a BBL? could it be a tumor?
March 20, 2023
Answer: Tender mass after fat transfer Most likely, this represents a fat necrosis from poor surgical technique injecting too much fat in a single area. Fat grafting needs to be done using techniques that stratified grafted fat with sufficient live vascular post tissue to not allow large accumulations of necrotic fat to accumulate. When large amounts of fat are injected into single area large areas of fat necrosis occur, and this usually presents the way you describe your symptoms. this is not typical when the procedure is done correctly. It is an indication of poor surgical technique. I suggest following up with your plastic surgeon and have him or her address your concerns. Realistically, the only way to remove the mass is with direct to surgical excision. Whether excision of the mass is indicated or not, it’s something you’ll need to discuss with your provider. To get more definitive confirmation of what the tissue mass represents consider getting either a more definitive radiological evaluation or having a needle biopsy done. It’s highly unlikely this represents anything other than fat necrosis so spending more resources and understanding the ideology is probably not indicated. Most likely do you need to make a decision if it’s worth having the mass surgically exercised. That is not something we can really help you with. Is that something you’re plastic surgeon and you need to discuss during in person visit. Best, Mats Hagstrom, MD
Helpful
March 20, 2023
Answer: Tender mass after fat transfer Most likely, this represents a fat necrosis from poor surgical technique injecting too much fat in a single area. Fat grafting needs to be done using techniques that stratified grafted fat with sufficient live vascular post tissue to not allow large accumulations of necrotic fat to accumulate. When large amounts of fat are injected into single area large areas of fat necrosis occur, and this usually presents the way you describe your symptoms. this is not typical when the procedure is done correctly. It is an indication of poor surgical technique. I suggest following up with your plastic surgeon and have him or her address your concerns. Realistically, the only way to remove the mass is with direct to surgical excision. Whether excision of the mass is indicated or not, it’s something you’ll need to discuss with your provider. To get more definitive confirmation of what the tissue mass represents consider getting either a more definitive radiological evaluation or having a needle biopsy done. It’s highly unlikely this represents anything other than fat necrosis so spending more resources and understanding the ideology is probably not indicated. Most likely do you need to make a decision if it’s worth having the mass surgically exercised. That is not something we can really help you with. Is that something you’re plastic surgeon and you need to discuss during in person visit. Best, Mats Hagstrom, MD
Helpful