AKA Brazillian Butt Lift

I am a 47 year old mother of two, 5’2 inches, 165 lbs. I had fat transferred to my butt, AKA BBL, or Brazilian butt lift. I wanted to do this in combination with an extended tummy tuck, but was encouraged by my physician to do two separate procedures. I’m really glad I listened to him.
During the procedure, he removed 4 liters (can you believe it) of fat, a total of 8 lbs. I’ve since learned from research that 8 lbs is the most that can be safely removed during any one liposuction procedure. Two liters were removed from the abdominal area, 750cc’s from each flank area aka love handles, and 250cc’s from the back of each thigh. From this removed fat he injected 750cc’s into each buttock and a small portion into some wrinkles in my chin area.
The pain from the liposuction was extremely bad. I have a very high tolerance for pain and let me tell you, IT IS BAD. But it is SO worth it. I didn’t feel any pain in the abdominal area, and didn’t even realize I had a stitch in my belly button until 2 weeks after the procedure when I went in for a post op visit. They probably told me after the procedure, but I was so out of it, I didn’t recall. I do recall waking up in recovery to intense pain in my abdomen, but that was gone after a couple of hours and never returned. I did, however have intense pain in my lower back and flank areas, and also the backs of my thighs, but only when I was moving around or if I had to sit for any reason, like going to the restroom. As long as I laid on my stomach, there was no pain. Getting up and down, however, was excruciatingly painful for the first 4-6 days and gradually subsided.
There was also a lot of swelling, lots and lots of swelling. I felt like my bottom weighed 100 lbs for about 2 weeks. I did sit on it some, but not too much, during the first 4 weeks. I’ve read numerous stories online about it. Some say absolutely do not sit on it at all, others say if the procedure is done properly, it doesn’t matter. I was told to try to refrain from it as much as possible, so that’s what I did. I didn’t have to worry too much about it because I was so sore from the liposuction that I couldn’t sit on it much.
There is a huge difference in before and after and it looks fabulous. I was told that 40-80% of the fat injected will take. In order to know the final result, I have to wait 1 year. Anything after that is mine forever. It has been 4 weeks and so far, and I have to say that I am extremely satisfied.
4 and ½ weeks after the BBL, I had an extended tummy tuck. That was 5 days ago, and I think I am recuperating nicely. I can get up and walk around, I can also go for a short walk. I now understand why my doctor recommended I have two separate procedures. I cannot lie flat or on my stomach and have trouble laying on my side. Also, I needed the fat that was removed to give me the ultimate results for the bbl. I have a lot of swelling and still have the drain tubes from the tummy tuck so I can’t really give an opinion on it yet but I do know that my doctor made the right decision in telling me not to have them at the same time.