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

Question

I am a pilot and I am interested in getting BBL. I wanted to know how long after surgery am I allowed to fly again. I know it is recommended not to sit after you get this procedure. How would this affect my ability to fly and return to work as a pilot.

Randal Haworth, MD, FACS · Answer

It is generally recommended to avoid sitting directly on the buttocks for a period of 2-3 weeks after a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) surgery. This is to allow the newly transferred fat to establish a blood supply and avoid any pressure on the grafts which could cause damage or reduce the chances of successful grafting.

As a pilot, it is important to consider the potential impact of prolonged sitting on your post-operative recovery. You may want to discuss this with your plastic surgeon and your employer to determine how long you may need to take off from work, or if any accommodations can be made to help facilitate a safe return to work.

It is also important to note that flying may increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and blood clots, especially when combined with prolonged sitting. Your plastic surgeon may recommend that you wear compression stockings and take other precautions to minimize this risk during your recovery period.

Overall, the timing of your return to work as a pilot will depend on a number of factors, including the extent of your surgery and your individual healing process. It is important to discuss this with your plastic surgeon and your employer to ensure a safe and successful recovery.

I hope this helps,
best of luck !

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. It's fantastic that you're doing your research before proceeding with a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL). This shows your commitment to your health, your profession, and the overall success of the procedure.

In general, patients are advised not to sit directly on their buttocks for at least two weeks after a BBL to ensure optimal fat graft survival. Sitting could put pressure on the transferred fat cells and potentially impact the final results.

However, each person's recovery process is unique and can be influenced by many factors, including overall health, the extent of the procedure, and the individual's healing capabilities.

As a pilot, being able to return to work is not only about being able to sit, but also about your overall health and wellness. Flying requires alertness, good physical health, and the ability to handle potential emergencies. It's important that you are fully recovered before getting back to the cockpit.

Considering these factors, it's generally recommended to take at least 3-4 weeks off after a BBL before returning to work, but this timeline can vary. This allows your body ample time to recover and for any post-operative swelling to subside.

However, this is a general guideline, and I would highly recommend that you have a detailed discussion with your plastic surgeon. They will be able to provide a more accurate timeline based on your overall health status and the specifics of your surgery.

I hope this answer was helpful. It's great to see that you're considering all aspects of your recovery. I wish you the best of luck with your procedure and a swift recovery.

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

Finny George, MD · Answer

Hi, thank you for sharing your question. You can return to work and start flying again after 2 weeks. Discuss this with your plastic surgeon.

Gregory Lakin, MD · Answer

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.

Moises Salama, MD · Answer

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

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

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.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear snbernal,
I instruct my patients not to sit for 2 solid weeks. We provide them a specialized pillow that our patients can sit on during that time. They can sleep on their stomachs or sides. Fat viability depends a lot of surgeon technique. The fat has to be placed back into the buttocks as soon as possible so that it has a greater chance of survival. It has to be placed carefully so that not too much fat is placed in only one area.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Geuris Cruz Quiroz, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question dear @snbernal. 
After a BBL procedure is recommend to wait at least 1 month PO to start doing your regular activities and sitting for more longer periods of time. Please keep in mind when you return to work not only your BBL, flight also can increase the risk of thrombosis, that I recommend you to talk with your doctor to give you a treatment during your healing process combine with your compression socks. Before booking your surgery talk with your surgeon avoid the healing time and time OFF he/she recommends and check with your employers to make sure your work can understand your situation. The best of luck!

Frank Lalezar, MD · Answer

After a BBL I typically have patients wait 2 weeks before they sit down. Additionally, after 2 weeks I have them sit down for short periods of time with only a BBL pillow. After 6 weeks I have patients sit down with no restrictions. As a pilot, you will likely need to sit down for long periods of time, therefore, to optimize your results, you should wait 6 weeks before you go back to work. You should see a board certified plastic surgeon and follow their instructions.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

I suggest you look through aviation criteria on the appropriateness and fitness. I’ve safe and appropriate operation of aircraft.
Recovery from surgery is an ongoing process. There’s no set defined amount of time when somebody feels recovered. This changes significantly depending on your definition of recovery, and it varies significantly, depending on how the procedure was performed, who it was performed upon and who did the operation.
Your best option is to talk to your surgeon about when they feel it is appropriate to get back to work or engage in certain activities. Best,
Mats Hagstrom, MD

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