Pilot seeking BBL. How soon will I be able to fly again?

Thank you for your question. Returning to work after a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) can depend on several factors, including your body's healing progress, the complexity of the surgery, and the nature of your work. Given that your job as a pilot involves extended periods of sitting, you might need a longer recovery period before you can return to work. Generally, I recommend avoiding prolonged sitting for about two to three weeks post-surgery to allow the transferred fat cells to establish a blood supply and ensure the best possible aesthetic results. Once you return to sitting for prolonged periods, using BBL pillows that shift weight off the buttock area can be beneficial to avoid pressure on the newly transferred fat cells. Regarding flying, it is usually safe to fly short distances after 2-3 weeks post-surgery. Please note that these are general guidelines. Always consult with your plastic surgeon for personalized advice based on your individual situation and health status.

Thanks for your question. In a Brazilian butt lift, fat is transferred from various parts of the body to the buttocks to re-shape and augment the buttocks. After the procedure, it is crucial to minimize or avoid sitting for prolonged periods. The reason is that the fat has not integrated to your tissues so the buttocks may flatten or lose projection. Further, sitting causes trauma to the newly placed fat so the process of blood vessel ingrowth (which is necessary for fat survival) may be disrupted. So, I recommend that my patients minimize sitting for one month. If you have a sitting job, you can use a bbl pillow to minimize the trauma from sitting. After one month, I allow my patients to sit regularly although many continue to avoid it for several weeks. Please always consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon. Take Care, Dr. Moises Salama, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Why not follow your PS's post operative guidelines? He/she is the one performing your surgery and will know if you can fly within 24 hours of your fat transfer from various parts of your anatomy to the buttocks. There are no hard and fast rules on when to fly after this procedure. Most would recommend a week or two before flying. The main risk is related to development of a blood clot in the legs that can then migrate to the lungs. Sitting for long periods of time puts you at higher risk due to being stationary. Sitting and pressure on the buttocks and hips should be avoided for 6 weeks. However, the patient may use a BBL pillow or similar after surgery when sitting on a plane or when sitting is required as when driving.