BBL Recovery & Aftercare Tips

Along with ‘How painful is BBL recovery?’, one of the most common questions our surgeons discuss in surgical consultations is ‘How long is BBL recovery’? As well as explaining how long your personal BBL recovery is likely to take. They will also talk you through the timeline and what you can expect week to week during your recovery process. For most patients, it is likely to look like this: 
 
Week 1 
In the first week following your BBL procedure, you can expect to be quite bruised and swollen. This is completely normal following any surgical procedure and the nurses will have given you instructions on how to manage this. You will have been given a surgical garment to wear, which will cover your buttocks, plus any areas that have been treated with Liposuction. This will provide compression, to help reduce swelling and fluid retention, as well as maintaining the shape of your buttocks. You will need to wear this garment throughout your recovery period. 
 
At this stage, your surgeon will also ask you to reduce the amount of time you spend sitting or lying directly on your buttocks. This is important to maintain your surgical results and prevent the injected fat from being moved or manipulated. Your surgeon will explain how to sit after BBL surgery during your consultation, so you are able to prepare. Some surgeons recommend a specific cushion to sit on, which is usually doughnut or rugby ball shaped to help to reduce pressure on the surgical area, whilst also allowing you to sit comfortably – be aware that depending on your plans, you may need to carry this cushion around with you. You will need to sleep on your front, and many patients find it helps to support their body using a few pillows. 
 
Although it is likely you may be feeling some discomfort within the first week following your BBL, you should be able to shower normally after 2 days and fairly mobile within 4-5 days. You will be asked to rest as much as possible within the first week to aid your healing and recovery. A week after your surgery, you will come into the clinic to see our dedicated cosmetic surgery nurses, will check your dressings and incisions and answer any questions you have about your recovery. 
 
Week 2 
In the second week of your recovery, you can expect to be feeling more like yourself again. Many patients find they are able to return to work (depending on what your job involves) and undertake their usual day to day activities at this stage or shortly afterwards. 
 
You will still be experiencing swelling and bruising, and this is completely normal, however you are likely to be feeling less pain. You will still need to wear your surgical garment and reduce pressure on your buttocks by using a surgical cushion and lying on your front to sleep. 
 
Week 3 
By the end of the third week following BBL surgery, you can begin to expect the swelling and bruising to be settling down, although it is unlikely to have resolved completely. You can also consider beginning driving again at this point in your recovery – although it is important to check with your insurance provider as every policy is different, and you may invalidate your insurance by driving too soon. 
 
You will still need to wear your surgical garment and limit the amount you are sitting and lying directly on your buttocks without a cushion. If you have any questions about your recovery, you will have access to our surgical nurses 24 hours a day via our dedicated telephone line. 
 
Week 4 
After 4 weeks of recovery, you can begin restricted sexual activity. It is important to listen to your body and if something doesn’t feel right or comfortable to not continue. Some patients see recovery milestones as targets, but it is important to remember that every surgery is different, and your recovery may take longer than someone else’s. Your surgeon will remind you to take your recovery at your own pace and not rush into anything that doesn’t feel comfortable. 
 
Any swelling or bruising you are experiencing will be continuing to reduce and your results may be becoming more apparent. BBL results usually take 3 months to reveal themselves completely, but you can expect to see some results starting to show from this point. Remember to keep wearing your surgical garment and being cautious about applying pressure to your backside without support. 
 
Week 5 
At week 5, you are well over half-way through your BBL recovery journey. At this stage it can feel very tempting to try and get back to normal life completely. However, it is important to remember that your body is still establishing a new blood supply to the injected fat in your buttocks, and rushing your recovery (even if you feel recovered) can jeopardise this process – effecting your final surgical results. 
 
Your surgical garments and BBL cushion or support is still needed at this stage and our surgical nurses will still be on hand to help with any questions. 
 
Week 6 
Week 6 of recovery is a big milestone for a lot of patients. At this point, you will come into the clinic to meet with your surgeon and discuss your results and recovery. Once they have examined you, they will be able to advise on whether you can start activities such as exercise again or whether you need to wait another couple of weeks. 
 
At this stage you may also be able to stop wearing your surgical garment and using your BBL cushion. This will depend on the extent of your surgery and how well the blood supply to your injected fat has established. It is important to listen to your surgeon’s instructions at this stage. Although it may be frustrating to hear that you need to wear your garment or use your cushion for a little longer, this will be for your safety and to get the most from your results. 
 
Week 7 onwards 
If your surgeon has asked you to continue following certain BBL aftercare advice at your 6 week follow up appointment, they may ask for you to come in again either to meet with them or the nurses to make sure you are continuing to heal well. Otherwise, from this stage you will likely be able to return to normal day to day activities. 
 
Your surgeon will remind you that the new fat in your buttocks is still establishing, and you will need to be a little careful up to 3 months following your surgery. If you have any questions after 6 weeks, you will be able to contact our nurses directly for up to a year following your procedure. Your surgeon may also ask you to book another follow up at 6 months following your surgery, or a year so they are able to monitor your full results.