Fat transfer to the buttocks is among the most popular procedures that patients resort to with the aim of enhancing the appearance of the buttocks. Unlike butt implants, fat transfer can’t provide an impressive augmentation in the projection of the buttocks. Butt implants are inserted into or under the gluteal muscles, so this means they augment the upper part of the buttocks, hence creating a significant projection. Fat is transferred to all areas of the buttocks to create a beautiful shape, a lifting effect, and add more volume. Keep in mind that we can’t add an unlimited amount of fat cells to the buttocks as complications can occur, and there are also limitations associated with the procedure itself.
When fat transfer to the buttocks is performed, the plastic surgeon will actually perform a 2-in-1 procedure. The procedure starts with liposuction on the donor areas to collect the fat cells necessary for the transfer. Once enough fat has been collected, the plastic surgeon will put it through a complex purification process to get only pure and healthy cells for the transfer. Fat transfer is performed in the last stage of the procedure. During this time, the plastic surgeon will inject small quantities of fat cells into different areas of the buttocks and at different depths. The surgeon will also inject fat inside the muscles of the buttocks.
The injection of fat is an important step of the procedure, and the success of the procedure is highly dependent on this. This is why it is essential to have your fat transfer performed only by an experienced, talented, board-certified plastic surgeon to ensure the best results are achieved and complications are avoided.
Just like any other procedure, there are side effects that can be experienced after fat transfer to the buttocks. The procedure is rarely associated with severe complications; however, it is not unnatural for patients to experience a certain level of pain and discomfort in the operated areas after the procedure. Usually, the pain is more present in the fat donor areas that were treated with liposuction more than the buttocks, but it is not out of the ordinary to feel pain in the buttocks too.
Pain in the buttocks after fat transfer is not intense and can easily be alleviated with analgesic medication that your plastic surgeon will prescribe. If the pain is more intense than you expected and also associated with other symptoms such as high fever, you should see your plastic surgeon as soon as possible or go to the hospital as you might be dealing with an infection. However, it is also important to mention that infections are very rare after the Brazilian butt lift.
Any abnormal side effect that you notice after the BBL, make sure to discuss it with the plastic surgeon.