BBL recovery - still swelling almost 2 years post-op. Advice?

Thank you for your question regarding persistent swelling and pain in your buttocks two years post-Brazilian Butt Lift. It's crucial to note that the symptoms you're experiencing are not normal for this stage of recovery. I strongly recommend revisiting your plastic surgeon. It may be necessary to have an MRI or ultrasound of your abdomen and buttocks and potentially some blood work to better understand the underlying issue. I hope you find this advice helpful, and I wish you the best of luck in your recovery.

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

I would suggest that you see your surgeon back for a follow up, as it is not normal to not be healed after so long a time. It sounds like could may have something called fat necrosis, which can cause areas to feel hard and painful following surgery.

Dear Glorious772100,
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, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Hello @Glorious772100, thank you for your question. It is important to take into account several aspects among which is the surgical technique applied, and to evaluate if there is something else at a systemic level. The best course of action is to consult one or several board certified plastic surgeon for more information and options tailored specifically to your needs. 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)

Sorry for your postop continuing issues following a lipo 360/BBL You did not even post photos?? Plus was the surgery done at a CLINIC setting vs private practice boarded PS? After 18 months of what you describe as fat necrosis, fat cysts, fibrosis/seromas I recommend immediate ultrasound or MRI c/ contrast of your buttock & abdomen. These tests might offer some answers to your on going postop issues. Next schedule virtual consults with only boarded plastic surgeon whom offer revision BBL operations.... My over the Real Self internet dx guess is you had clinic setting surgery with energy based lipo or J-Plasma used! These types of lipo and transfers cause these described postop issues, BTW.

At two years, your body is completely healed and has been for a long time. In other words waiting longer isn’t going to change your outcome. Having surgery has certain risks including undesirable side effects. Sometimes these can be addressed from a surgical perspective, and sometimes they cannot. Some conditions may have treatment options that are non-surgical and sometimes there are no non-surgical options available.
Sometimes having an understanding of what the underlying problem is, can be reassuring to patients, even though there is no easy solution for it. Firmness after fat transfer is most likely due to fat necrosis related to poor surgical technique. Removing fat necrosis, especially deep in the gluteal area may not be possible. Doing so may end up leaving you in a worse condition. surgeons vary in their approach, including skill and experience. Whenever patients have surgery, they need to recognize that there are acceptance risks that come with the procedure. These are some of the risks and side effects that come with the procedure you had. They may or may not be related to how the procedure was performed, but most likely technique had some impact on your outcome.
Ultimately your surgeon is responsible for the outcome of your procedure and you are responsible for choosing that surgeon. Sometimes there are no surgical options and patients need to accept that. That is the outcome of the procedure. Patient should take having surgical intervention as a serious decision that has potentially negative consequences.
The recommendation is always going to be to follow up with your provider. If your provider doesn’t give you useful information or doesn’t address your concern, then your next step would be to get a second opinion consultation. For a second opinion, consultations always come prepared to bringing with you copies of your previous medical record especially all before and after pictures and preferably a copy of your operative report.
There are no easy explanation for treatments for what you described. Healing and did a long time ago, and while your condition may potentially improve overtime, you should not expected to do so in the near future. Further surgical intervention may or may not be appropriate for you. Likewise, it may or may not be appropriate to do radiological evaluation’s to get some idea of what the tissues look like inside you.
Follow up with your provider or schedule second opinion consultations.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom, MD