When does fat stop dying after BBL? A few weeks into recovery, the transferred fat begins a beautiful transformation, establishing its blood supply and seamlessly blending with the existing fat in the area.
This is due to two main factors: initial swelling that may affect your appearance, and the natural process of fat transfer where some of the injected fat may not survive. It's common for the size and shape of your buttocks to stabilize and become permanent around the 4 to 6-month mark in most cases.
As adipose tissue cells begin to die, you may notice changes in the texture or appearance of your skin in the area. You may feel a lump or a hard node under your skin, or the area may appear red, thickened or bruised.
How Much Fat Survives After a BBL? Approximately 50-70% of the new fat cells survive after a BBL procedure, while your body absorbs the rest. The fat cells take about 3 to 6 months to stabilise and integrate into the surrounding tissue, after which it will become a natural part of your body.
FEED THE FAT:
Eating nutrient-dense foods will provide your body with all the vitamins and minerals it needs to support its recovery. Adding in more healthy fats in your diet will be helpful during your recovery. Try adding avocados, salmon, grass-fed butter, almonds, walnuts, extra virgin olive oil, and coconut oil.
Remember that if you squeeze the newly transferred fat by any means, it may kill or ruin the cells. That is why it is essential to make sure you do not wear restrictive or tight clothes during your recovery process.
In fact, wearing a garment that's too tight can negatively impact your BBL results, says Dr. Franco, who adds that it's a common mistake patients make.
Afterwards, your body will absorb and remove the dead fat cells, while the living cells will connect with the blood supply in the area.
In most cases the body will break down the fat necrosis naturally over time. Depending on the size of the lump, this can take several months and sometimes years. It's important to go back to your GP if you notice any changes to the area of fat necrosis or anywhere else in your breasts.
Your body should fully recover between two and three months after your Brazilian butt lift procedure. It's important to remember that your body is unique, so recovery times may vary. Follow your healthcare provider's instructions on how to manage your pain and discomfort throughout your recovery.
Weight Fluctuations. Significant weight fluctuations after a BBL can alter the results. Losing weight can cause the fat cells transferred to your buttocks to shrink, diminishing the volume gained from the procedure.
Like all balloons, fat cells will expand until they can't expand any more, but unlike balloons, they don't pop (thank goodness).
3 months: Most patients enter the BBL fluffing stage around this time as the residual swelling continues to dissipate. 6-8 months: By this stage, you will see the final results of your liposuction and BBL procedures.
You should be wear some form of compression for 3-6 months after surgery. After 6 weeks you can wear the garment for 12-16 hours/day. The more you wear the garment in the first 6 months, the better the results.
3 Months In: This is typically when many patients enter the 'fluffing stage'. Any residual swelling you might have had should continue to go down, allowing your bum to take on its final, more natural shape. 6-8 Months: By this stage, the full and final results of your liposuction and BBL should be visible.
Fat necrosis is most likely to develop within the initial three months following a Brazilian Butt Lift procedure. This is a critical period as the transferred fat cells are in the process of integrating with the existing tissue and blood supply in their new location within the buttocks.
Breast fat necrosis typically feels like a round, firm lump to the touch. You might experience tenderness, bruising, or dimpling in the area where the breast fat necrosis appears. Sometimes, it can pull in the nipple. When dying fat cells release fluid, your skin may appear red, bruised, or thickened.
Treatment of fat necrosis and oil cysts
As long as doctors are sure of the diagnosis, fat necrosis and oil cysts usually don't need to be treated. Sometimes fat necrosis goes away on its own. If a needle biopsy is done to remove the fluid in an oil cyst, it can also serve as treatment.
The idea is to consume enough calories—and the right kinds of calories—to give the newly transferred fat cells the best chance of survival. It's not just about eating more; it's about eating smart. Consuming nutrient-dense foods can support cell health, which in turn helps to solidify the results of your BBL procedure.
After a BBL, only about 70% of the transferred fat cells will survive, so it is normal to see a minor reduction in your buttocks.At the stage you are in, you are still early on the healing process, it can take up to six months to see your final results, so please be patient.
This is because these areas now have a higher concentration of fat cells due to the fat grafting process. Here's how it works: When fat cells are transferred to a particular area like the buttocks during a BBL, that area essentially gains a larger “storage capacity” for fat.
We typically recommend wearing a faja compression garment for approximately three months. The initial six weeks require 24-hour wear to support fat cell survival and reduce swelling. Following this, patients gradually taper down to 12 hours daily for the next six weeks.
What does fluffing feel like? As you enter the fluffing stage of your BBL recovery, the last bit of swelling will subside and your skin will no longer feel stiff. Your butt will begin to look more natural and take on a rounder shape, and you should be free of any pain or discomfort by this time.
Dents can result from fat necrosis, uneven fat distribution, or improper post-op care. Non-surgical options like fillers or radiofrequency therapy may help with minor irregularities, while more significant dents might require surgical solutions such as fat grafting or revision BBL.