Body

We are all born with a finite amount of fat cells. As we gain weight they increase in size and when we lose weight they decrease in size.

Thus, once removed fat will no longer be able to be stored in the area of fat removal. However, weight gain will be in other areas of the body where the fat was not removed.

Yes! By performing liposuction first (fat removal only) will not preclude having a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) at a later date.  A tummy tuck will remove any additional unwanted fat and the excess and stretched skin as well as repair the stretched or separated (diastasis recti) abdominal muscles usually found after pregnancy or significant weight loss.

Both remove unwanted fat but in different ways.

Liposuction will remove fat by extracting the fat through a cylindrical tube (cannulae) with negative pressure (suction). It will not affect, or repair separated abdominal muscles (after pregnancy or significant weight loss) nor will it reduce excess skin or loose skin. In fact, the skin may become looser after liposuction because of the “deflation” of fat and volume loss. Thus, is why we include Vellashape III (a skin shrinking device) with all our liposuction procedures.

Tummy Tuck (abdominoplasty) surgically removes the excess fat directly from the abdominal AND:

1. Tightens/repairs the stretched and separated muscles after pregnancy or significant weight loss.
2. Dr. Hardesty includes flank liposuction and a non-narcotic pain pump with each tummy tuck.

Thank you for your questions and photos.    Unfortunately without a examination I can advise you in general terms, however I hope you will find them helpful.

Loosing or gaining weight will always change your body contour.

I suggest you first obtain your goal body weight.

The amount of fat injected depends on:

1) the amount of fat harvested

2) the amount of suitable fat that is able to be purified

3) the “stretchability” of your buttock skin

One can try to gain weight prior to the procedure in hope that the areas you gain weight can be liposuctioned.

Caveat: not all weight gain can not be harvested (some may be deposited on your internal organs or areas that can’t be liposuctioned).

Please make several appointments with experienced Plastic Surgeons who listens to your specific desires and who are not only Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery but in addition ideally a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (denoting by membership as having met additional criteria and a focus on Cosmetic Plastic Surgery).

Thank you for your story, photos and questions. Unfortunately with out a exam of your tissues I can can only make general comments. I hope find the following helpful.

The amount of fat that takes depends:

1) the gentle technique of harvest providing the least amount of damage/trauma to the fat cells

2) how the fat is injected

3) the recipient area (good blood supply, lack of previous scars, etc.)

4) postoperative care

5) genetics of the individual

The process for performing a BBL is the same regardless of the patients weight or fat location:

1) harvest the fat

2) purify the fat

3) sculpting the buttock:

a) with precise liposculpting

b) with precise fat injection

The final shape of the buttock depends on:

1) your underlying boney pelvic frame

2) the shape of your buttock muscular anatomy

3) the elasticity (stretchability) of the buttock skin skin

4) the patients desired shape (where fat is injected)

The bottom line:

1) fat survival as a graft is multifactoral but usually varies between 70-80%.

2) the fat that doesn’t survive is broken down, dissolves and is excreted by our body

3) the amount injected fat depends on how much fat there is available to harvest.

4) the individuals genetic anatomy and elastic properties of the skin will dictate  and limit attaining certain desired shapes

5) Just importantly the liposuction should be done to “sculpt” other parts of the body to attain a body that is in proportion and attractive. Thus a small amount of fat can go along way or in contrast a large amount may not give you the desired appearance

One can try to gain weight prior to the procedure in hope that the areas you can the weight can be liposuctioned.

Caveat: all fat that is gained may not be deposited in areas that can be liposuctioned.

I suggest you collect multiple model photos of your desired buttock shape/size and schedule several appointments with experienced Plastic Surgeons who are Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and ideally a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (denoting by membership as having met additional criteria and a focus on Cosmetic Plastic Surgery).

Thank you for your questions.

Unfortunately with out photos, a review of your past/current medical history and a exam of your tissues and nose, I can can only make general responses based your story, however I hope you find my comments helpful

MULTIPLE PROCEDURES

Only after a complete review of your medical history and a complete exam can the final decision be made on how many procedures can be performed in one setting.

Assuming no major health issues a Brazilian Buttock Lift (BBL) and other procedures are often completed at one surgical setting . From a technical and recovery point of view there is no reason that both can’t be performed together.

ANESTHESIA 

Like wise the length  of anesthesia should not be a problem. Anesthesia if performed by a Board Certified Anesthesiologist in a fully accredited Outpatient Surgical Center is very safe and analogous to  flying a airplane:  the take off and landing (going to sleep and waking up) is the most critical times not the duration of the flight (length of anesthesia)

RECOVERY

Hopefully, you will be meeting with your Plastic Surgeon prior to your surgery to go over all the pre and post operative instructions and to answer all your questions.

I suggest you make a written list of your questions.

BBL:

In general, most patients have recovered in the 2 week period of time.

I allow my patients to sit on their buttock areas when their is no longer any pain.

I suggest you purchase a BBL pillow type pillow to place the majority of your weight on your thighs while sitting.

Gentle postoperative massage of the harvest areas is recommended. Purchase a hand held massager and massage oil and use as tolerated as the post operative pain remits for the first several months.

I also recommend Vellashape III (radio frequency) to help shrink the skin over the fat harvest areas.

RHINOPLASTY 

Is straight forward and usually a easier recovery than the BBL recovery. Depending on if internal correction of deviated septum is necessary the recovery is often less painful and easier to deal with than the BBL.

I recommend you make a list of your questions and schedule several consultative appointments with Plastic Surgeons who are Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and ideally members of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (denoting by membership as having met additional criteria and a focus on Cosmetic Plastic Surgery).