Sitting after BBL - can you sit after the first day?

Dear Tina tailor,
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

Hi! Thanks for your question. It’s true that every surgeon has their protocol, but it’s very unusual to be advised to sit immediately after a BBL. Most surgeons recommend avoiding direct pressure on the buttocks for at least 2-3 weeks post-op to allow the fat cells to settle and survive. Typically, patients use a BBL pillow to sit with minimal pressure or avoid sitting as much as possible during early recovery.
If you’re uncertain, clarify this with your surgeon and perhaps seek a third opinion if needed. Following standard recovery practices generally yields better long-term results for most patients.

Thanks for your question. After a BBL procedure, it is crucial to minimize or avoid sitting for prolonged periods. The reason is that the fat has not integrated to your tissues and sitting may cause trauma to the newly placed fat so the process of blood vessel ingrowth, which is necessary for fat survival, may be disrupted. I recommend that my patients minimize sitting for one month and use a donut-shaped pillow (boppy pillow) or a bbl pillow to minimize the trauma from sitting. But one should still minimize sitting if possible. After one month, I allow my patients to sit regularly although many continue to avoid it for several weeks. I suggest you confirm with your plastic surgeon what he or she recommends. Please always consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon. Take care, Moises Salama M.D., Board Certified Plastic Surgeon