PRE-OPERATIVE CONSULTATION

Before deciding on a BBL, you must meet with our surgeon for a pre-consultation. During this meeting, you will discuss your expectations, and the surgeon will evaluate what will yield the best results for you. You will also receive a thorough overview of your options, and the risks associated with each surgical option. The surgeon will ask about your health to ensure you are suitable for surgery.

Based on your expectations and the surgeon’s recommendations, you will plan your surgery together. You are welcome to bring another person to the pre-consultation, as there is a lot of information to consider.

According to the law, you must have a 7-day reflection period after the pre-consultation before you can give your final consent to cosmetic surgery.



EXPECTATIONS

During a BBL procedure at Caolín, the surgery is tailored to your individual shape and desires.

With fat transplantation, some of the fat will be resorbed, meaning that on average, 50% of the transplanted fat survives. However, it is not possible to predict exactly how much fat will disappear. You can expect it to take around 3 months from your surgery to see the result.

It is important to be aware that the results of cosmetic surgery are not permanent. The natural aging process and the rate of body aging are influenced by both genetic factors and lifestyle factors such as smoking, sun exposure, and weight changes.

Additionally, it is important to understand that surgery always carries a risk of complications, and the result may not always match your or the surgeon’s expectations completely.

If you are significantly overweight or underweight, there is an increased risk of complications with anesthesia and wound healing. If your BMI is over 30, we may not be able to offer you surgery.

PREPARATION

Before the surgery, you must:

Stop taking medication containing acetylsalicylic acid such as Magnyl, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, and Treo one week before the surgery.

Avoid natural medicines, especially fish oil, ginger, and vitamin D, as they can increase the risk of bleeding. Stop all natural medicines three weeks before the surgery.

Any blood-thinning medication may need to be paused. This will be discussed with the surgeon during the pre-consultation.

Smoking must be paused least 4 weeks before and 6 weeks after the surgery. Smoking can negatively affect the cosmetic outcome, increase the risk of infection, and is generally bad for your health. We often choose not to offer surgery to active smokers.

It is a good idea to shop and prepare meals before the surgery, so you can focus on your recovery afterward.

On the day of the surgery, you should take a shower with thorough cleansing of your body and hair. Avoid using body lotion or other products on the area to be operated on. Wear loose, comfortable clothing, preferably a zip-up blouse, loose fitting pants, and flat shoes. Remove all jewelry and any piercings and leave them at home.



ANESTESIA

The surgery is performed under general anesthesia. You must fast for 6 hours before the surgery (no eating, chewing gum, smoking, or similar). You may drink clear fluids like water and sugary drinks in small amounts until 2 hours before the surgery; do not drink milk, juice, etc.

It is crucial to adhere to the fasting rules, as anesthesia can be dangerous if you are not fasting, and the surgery is canceled, if you are not fasting.



SURGERY

On the day of the surgery, arrive at the clinic at the scheduled time. A nurse will greet you and you will be shown to your room, change clothes, and have an intravenous line placed. The anesthesiologist will discuss the anesthesia with you, and finally, you will meet with the surgeon, who will ensure you feel comfortable and well-informed. The surgeon will also mark the area to be operated on.

The surgery is performed under general anesthesia and lasts approximately 2-3 hours. The procedure involves suctioning fat from the agreed areas using a thin cannula. The fat is then purified and transplanted to the buttocks, using a thin cannula. We use the state-of-the-art technique to inject the harvest fat. Local anesthesia is also administered to reduce pain and discomfort and minimize the risk of bleeding.

The holes where the fat is suctioned and injected are closed with a thin dissolvable suture, and tape is applied over the wounds along with absorbent dressings, as there may be some wound discharge from the suctioned areas.

Finally, you will be given a special bandage that compresses the suctioned area and does not put pressure on the transplanted area.



AFTER SURGERY

After the surgery, you will be taken to the recovery room where the nurse will monitor you. You should lie on your stomach, as pressure on the buttocks must be avoided. You will receive something to drink and eat and pain reliefers if needed. Depending on the extent of the surgery, you may be discharged after a few hours.

Before you go home, the plastic surgeon and nurse will review the post-operative precautions with you and answer any questions you may have to ensure you feel comfortable. You should not drive home yourself; it is a good idea to arrange for someone to pick you up. Also, consider that you need to be able to lie on your side or stomach in the car to avoid pressure on the buttocks.

DAYS AFTER SURGERY

Since the surgery was performed under general anesthesia, you will be tired and sluggish on the first day, and you may experience nausea and dizziness. We recommend having an adult at your side for the first 24 hours.

It is important to take it easy for the first days after the surgery and generally listen to your body’s signals to reduce the risk of bleeding and swelling. Make sure to stay well-hydrated and consume a sensible protein-rich diet and consume additional calories for 4 weeks to increase the fraction of fat retention.



PAIN

It is important to take the prescribed medication. The medication will reduce pain, but you should expect some discomfort during the first 3-4 days.

Many people experience stabbing and sharp pain in the operated area. This is normal and occurs because the nerves are re-establishing connections. These sensations can last for up to 1 year after the surgery.

You will be prescribed Paracetamol tablets and Ibuprofen tablets to be taken together 4 times a day. Additionally, you will receive a stronger painkiller, a synthetic morphine tablet, which you can take if you experience severe pain.

The nurse will thoroughly review the medication with you before you leave, and you will also receive written material describing everything.



ACTIVITY

In the initial days after the surgery, getting out of bed might be difficult, so having someone to assist you is a good idea. It is important to get up and move around quickly to reduce the risk of blood clots. Engage in light activity, such as short walks, but take breaks when needed. For the first 1-2 weeks, avoid any strain on the wounds.

For the first 4-6 weeks, the fat-transplanted area must not be subjected to pressure, which means you should not sit down or sleep on your back. You can stand, lie on your stomach, or on your side.

You should avoid vigorous exercise for the first 6 weeks, but light movement, such as short walks, is beneficial. Initially, the suctioned area will appear discolored and uneven, which is normal and will resolve itself within 1-3 months. However, further swelling may occur when you are active. It is therefore important to use the compression bandage for 6 weeks as instructed and adhere to other restrictions.

You must avoid driving until you can handle the vehicle safely and no longer need strong painkillers. Always use a seatbelt, whether you are driving or a passenger.

SLEEPING POSITION

For the first 4-6 weeks, you must sleep on your stomach or on your side. You may want to place some pillows to support you to ensure you are comfortable.



WORK

You can resume sedentary work after 1 week, but without sitting down. For physically demanding work, you should wait 2-4 weeks before returning.



BATHING

You can take a shower 24 hours after the surgery or when there is no longer any discharge from the wounds (unless you have drains). Before showering, remove the compressive bandage and the absorbing dressing. The brown plaster must remain until your follow-up appointment. It can withstand water. Take a gentle shower, rinse the wounds to wash away soap residues (do not wash or scrub the wounds), and pat dry with a clean towel before putting the compressive bandage back on.

You should avoid taking baths, swimming in the sea, or going to a swimming pool and sauna until the stitches are removed and the wounds are fully healed.



WOUND DISCHARGE

Discharge from the wounds may occur. This is due to the fluid used during the surgery and is completely normal and normally lasts a few days. You will receive an absorbing dressing from the clinic to manage this.



BANDAGE

The provided compression bandage must be worn continuously for the first 3 weeks and then during the day for an additional 3 weeks. This is to reduce swelling and unevenness. The bandage should be removed when showering or if it needs washing.

You can, of course, purchase an extra bandage from the clinic if you wish to have more for changing.



SCARS

The scars from the surgery will typically be red and swollen but will improve over 6-24 months. Over time, scars usually become narrow and lighter I color, but in some cases, they may become wide and darkly pigmented. You may apply a soothing cream to the scars once they are completely healed. Avoid smoking, as it increases the risk of infection, slow healing, and unsightly scars.



CONTACT WITH THE CLINIC

You will be given a phone number upon discharge so that you can contact the clinic 24/7 if there is an urgent need. The day after your surgery, a nurse will call you to ensure you are doing well and answer any questions you may have.



FOLLOW-UP

After 7-10 days, you will have a follow-up appointment with the nurse. The dressings will be removed and the wounds will be examined. New tape will be provided, which you should change yourself every 10-12 days for about 3 months after the surgery. The tape helps to keep the scars narrow, flat, and level with the surrounding skin.

We will discuss how to care for the scars, any potential pain, etc. You will be offered an appointment for a follow-up with the plastic surgeon 3-6 months after the surgery. If you experience any issues before then, you are always welcome to contact us.

COMPLICATIONS

Infection: This is very rare. Symptoms of infection typically include redness, swelling, throbbing pain, and fever, usually appearing around a week after surgery. Infections are treated with antibiotics.

Unsightly Scar Formation: Scars can vary significantly from person to person. Most scars will become neat and white over time, but some people may develop red and thick scars, known as hypertrophic scarring. This process can take several years.

Hematoma: In rare cases (less than 1%), bleeding may occur after surgery. In a few cases, this may require additional surgery, but it is unlikely to affect the result.

Swelling and Discoloration: These are completely expected and will diminish over the first few months.

Asymmetry and Unevenness: Asymmetry is common among many women, and while this type of surgery can help even out some of the asymmetry, there is a risk of uneven results. Unevenness in the skin after liposuction is also common and often smooths out within 6-9 months, though it can sometimes be permanent.

Numbness: Can occur in the liposuctioned area. This typically resolves within 3-6 months.

Blood Clots: There is always an increased risk of blood clots associated with surgery. This risk is higher if you are taking birth control pills, are over 40 years old, have a BMI over 25, or have a congenital risk factor (e.g., Factor V Leiden mutation).

Fat Embolism: This is a fat-based blood clot that can occur if fat is mistakenly injected into a blood vessel. This is very rare but can be fatal in extreme cases.