How important is the BBL pillow after the surgery?

I advise all of my post-BBL patients to use the pillow. Once the fat is transferred to your butt, it requires up to six weeks with zero pressure being applied to it so that your new fat can develop the proper blood supply to keep that fat alive in its new home.  Any pressure to that area will alter the body's ability to create that blood supply, thus killing the newly transferred fat cells. This means that you cannot sit (or sleep on your back) for up to six weeks following the procedure.  The BBL pillow makes it possible for you to sit while removing all pressure from your newly enhanced bottom.

Thank you for your questions. The pillow is provided by my office and should be used for siting for the first 3-4 weeks.  Follow your surgeons recommendations and protocols post BBL recovery.  Best wishes!. 

Dear marisolg,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, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Best to ask your plastic surgeon for his/her recommendation.  I recommend that my patients minimize sitting, even with a pillow (boppy or BBL), for the first two weeks.  If they must sit, every 30 minutes or an hour, they should get up and stand for a few seconds to take the pressure off.   This reduces the chance for fat necrosis. I usually recommend about 6 weeks before sitting without a pillow. After 6 weeks, the fat has revascularized; and they will have a very good idea of their final results.  
Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Los Angeles, CA

In my practice, I provide every one of my BBL patients a comfort pillow that offloads any pressure from the buttocks, as well as a surgical garment. Offloading pressure from the buttocks is recommended for two weeks, and each patient will be in a compressive garment for a full month. This special garment is used following liposuction, because compression is important to help with swelling and pain, and to improve overall comfort. It is also really effective in helping to maintain the shape that was achieved during the procedure.
I hope that answers your question on Brazilian butt lift recovery. It's great you're doing your research. I always say that the best patients are informed patients.

Thanks for reading and best of luck on your journey!

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon, Breast and Body Specialist

Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic surgery