Stay- You will need to stay nearby for 14 days after buttock enhancement surgeries. By the time you leave, you should be able to sit down (gently!) on your new bottom.
Day of Surgery- Many buttock enhancement surgeries may be performed as an outpatient procedure, but you may choose to stay in the hospital overnight when buttock reshaping together with lower body lift are performed. If you choose to go home, you will spend one to two hours in the recovering room prior to being released in the company of a friend or family member. We also have a private duty nurse available to care for you in the comfort and privacy of your own home if you so choose.
Do not be alarmed when blood-tinged tumescent fluid oozes from the sites of a fat harvest or liposuction. This is a normal result of liposuction and usually stops within the first day. The surgeon leaves these tiny incisions exposed so that the liquid spills out, thereby minimizing bruising. You should cover your bed to avoid staining from this fluid. There should not be any drainage from the incision where the implant has been placed. If this happens, please inform our office.
Garment- Following liposuction, fat injection, or implant placement, you are placed in a support garment. You should plan to wear the compression garment 24 hours a day for three to four weeks following surgery. This will help to reduce bruising and swelling as well as skin retraction and helps with the shape of the buttocks. We usually have the patient remove their garment to take a shower after two days. The first time that you remove your garment you will feel faint, which is normal. Have someone with you at that time. After your first shower you need to apply Vaseline or heavy lotion all over liposuctioned areas and the buttock skin to alleviate the itchiness that is caused by the skin-drying effects of liposuction. This is a good time for you to start massaging the fat injection areas. You should massage these areas gently three times per day for about six weeks. If you have implants, don’t get the incision wet until instructed by your surgeon.
Rest and Sleep- For the first two weeks you should sleep on your stomach and/or side. This ensures that the tension on your incision line is minimized, and the pressure on the implant or the fat micrografts is reduced. During this time, you should avoid putting direct pressure on your buttock for more than a few minutes at a time. If you have to sit, use a very soft cushion. From week three until six you should also sit on cushions when sitting for prolonged periods.
Mild discomfort and tightness in the buttocks is common for the first 72 to 96 hours with most buttock enhancement procedures. After the fourth or fifth day, the tightness will begin to subside, and the pain improves significantly.
Painkillers- Usually a fat injection is significantly less painful than buttock augmentation with implants. A fat injection feels mostly like a bad bruise while implant placement feels like a bad muscle cramp. These pains are manageable with the prescribed medications.
Bruising- There will be bruising in many areas that are liposuctioned or grafted as well as in adjacent or dependent areas. For example, you will also note bruising and swelling in the back of your thighs and your genitalia. This is not because these areas were actually liposuctioned. However, bruises usually move downward due to gravity, and can thus temporarily accumulate in the genitalia. Occasionally, bruising can last a long time or even lead to long-lasting skin pigmentation. Sun tanning immediately after surgery can cause these bruises to become long-lasting skin stains.
Early Ambulation- You’re likely to feel sore for a few days, but you should attempt to get out of the bed in 24 hours. This is the best way to reduce the chance of getting a blood clot in the legs. Most of your discomfort can be controlled by the prescribed painkillers.
Showering- The inner buttock incisions need daily care to keep them clean and dry until healed. You may take a shower 72 hours after the surgery. Also, with buttock implants, you need to meticulously clean your incision in the shower or with alcohol preps after each bowl movement for the first two weeks after surgery. After showering, simply pat your incisions dry and replace your dry dressings and garment.
First Post-op Visit- Dr. Agha prefers to see you on Day 5 for your first post-operative visit.
Swelling- Any swelling in your lower body may take three to five weeks to subside.
Driving- You may drive when driving does not cause pain. This usually occurs in 2-3 weeks. It is not safe to drive a car within twenty-four hours of taking pain medication as your reflexes and alertness may be altered.
It is important that the surgical incisions are not subjected to excessive force, abrasion, or motion during the time of healing.
Light Exercise- Dr. Agha recommends a program of light exercise following surgery. The motion afforded by this activity will reduce swelling, decrease the possibility of developing blood clots, and enhance skin tone.
Activities- During the first week after surgery, you want to avoid activities that raise your blood pressure. This could cause bleeding at the operative site, which could result in a hematoma (collection of blood). You should be able to resume your normal daily activities within a week after a Brazilian Butt Lift, two weeks after a buttock implant placement, and about three weeks after a formal buttock lift. During this time you can start gentle walking. You can do upper body exercising after two weeks. Most patients return to work within a week after fat grafting, two weeks after buttock implant placement, and about three weeks after a buttock lift. Avoid exercises which directly stress the area of your surgery for a full four to six weeks. After this period, cardiovascular activities, such as riding a stationary bicycle or brisk walking, can be initiated. Avoid heavy lift, contact sports, and jogging for up to six weeks. By the time you are six weeks post-operative, you will be nearing your pre-operative state. Avoid stressing the surgical area has to maximize healing and minimize scarring. During the early phase of healing, one must avoid irritation around the operative site, as this can worsen swelling and fluid accumulation. This could cause development of a seroma (fluid collection) or cause problems with the wound (dehiscence or opening of the suture line or widening of the scar). Even though the skin is closed, there are many activities taking place beneath the skin.
Sexual Activity- Fat injection does not hinder your ability to have sexual relations. However, you should resume sexual activity only when you feel comfortable in doing so. On the other hand, with buttock implant placement you should avoid having strenuous sex for about six weeks after surgery.
Healing- You will need a few weeks to recover and heal from buttock enhancement procedure. The typical healing time is at least one to three weeks before returning to work.
Scarring- Every person’s body is different, and many factors contribute to scar healing. Your scars will be firm and pink for about six weeks. Nonsmokers and those who follow the Enhanced Recovery Nutritional Supplements routine have a better chance of having rapid healing and thinner scarring. Expect to wait at least nine months before your scars lighten in color and become as flat as the rest of your skin. Although they will never disappear completely, scars will not show under most clothing, even bathing suits.
Numbness- All surgical areas stay numb for four to eight weeks. Massage will help to desensitize your skin in order to avoid hypersensitivity or skin irritation.
Follow-ups- Regular checkups protect against complications.
Emergencies- Some discomfort is expected following your surgery.
However, be sure to tell us if:
CLICK HERE For more information on other Buttock Augmentation Procedures. The Aesthetic Centers provides white glove customer service during the Brazilian Butt Lift Recovery.
Dr. Siamak Agha, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, MD, Ph.D. completed his 7 years of medical education at the prestigious University of Cambridge, England.
His residency in the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery was completed at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, one of the most respected and comprehensive Plastic Surgery training programs in the United States.
He is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and on staff at Hoag Medical Center. He is also the creator of the “High Definition Brazilian Butt Lift”. CLICK HERE read more about this Procedure.
Whether you are coming from Orange County or Los Angeles, San Diego or Riverside, Dr. Agha and his staff wish to welcome you. Our 7,000 square feet state-of-the-art facility of The Aesthetic Centers that was recently completed in 2018.
Dr. Agha routinely consults with patients who choose to travel internationally or from other states. Many patients desire to take advantage of his expertise and skill but are not located nearby for a consultation. As a result, Dr. Agha offers virtual consultations if you are located outside Southern California. Therefore, don’t delay and call the office for a consultation.
