Can Butt Implant Removal Be Combined with a BBL?

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Can Butt Implant Removal Be Combined with a BBL

Yes — buttock implant removal and a Brazilian Butt Lift can be performed in the same operation, and for many patients it’s the most sensible approach. Removing alone leaves the buttocks deflated; combining removal with fat transfer restores volume and contour using the patient’s own tissue, in a single recovery rather than two.

This article covers when the combined approach works, when a staged procedure is safer, and what to expect during recovery.

Why patients have implants removed

The most common reasons for buttock implant removal are capsular contracture (where the scar tissue around the implant tightens and distorts shape), implant displacement, chronic discomfort, infection, and a change of mind about the look of synthetic implants over time.

sit deep within the gluteal muscle or beneath the gluteal fascia, in an area that bears significant weight and movement. Long-term complication rates are higher than for breast implantspublished series report capsular contracture rates between 5–30% depending on the technique used and follow-up .

involves reopening the original incision ( intergluteal), extracting the implant, and excising scar tissue from around the capsule. The pocket is then irrigated and closed.

Why combine removal with a BBL?

Removing buttock implants without restoring volume produces a flat, sometimes hollowed appearanceparticularly if the implants have been in place long enough to stretch the surrounding tissue.

A uses fat harvested via liposuction from the abdomen, flanks, or thighs, processed and reinjected into the buttocks. Combining it with implant removal:

The trade-off is that combined surgery takes longer under anaesthesia and carries the cumulative risk of two procedures rather than one. For most healthy patients, that’s an acceptable trade.

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When a staged approach is safer

Combined surgery isn’t always appropriate. The implant pocket is reshaped or removed during the first procedure, and the surrounding tissue has been stretched and inflamed for years. Injecting fat into that environment immediately can compromise fat survival.

A staged approachimplant removal first, then BBL three to six months later once the tissue has healed — is when:

The decision is made at consultation based on findings, where appropriate, and the patient’s overall health.

Suitability for the combined procedure

The most important practical consideration is whether the patient has enough donor fat to produce a meaningful volume increase. Very lean patients may not — in which case the BBL is delayed until weight is gained, or the patient accepts a more modest volume.

Other suitability requirements:

The procedure step by step

Combined surgery is under general anaesthesia at our Baker Street day surgery facility, typically taking three to four hours.

The implant is removed first the original incision, with the surrounding capsule excised where appropriate. The pocket is irrigated to reduce risk and seroma formation.

Power-assisted liposuction is then used to harvest fat from the agreed donor sites — most commonly the abdomen, flanks, and lower back. The harvested fat is processed to separate viable adipocytes from blood, oil, and tumescent fluid.

The processed fat is injected above the gluteal muscle layer using . This is the safest current techniquekeeping fat placement above the muscle avoids the deep gluteal venous plexus, where fat embolism has historically been the cause of BBL deaths.

Compression garments are fitted before the patient leaves the operating theatre.

Recovery

The first 48 hours are the most uncomfortable. Patients are advised to sleep on their stomach or side, and to avoid sitting directly on the buttocks for two to three weeks. A BBL pillow distributes pressure to the thighs when sitting is necessary.

A compression garment is worn 24 hours a day for the first six weeks, removed only for . Most patients return to office work at two to three weeks; strenuous exercise is delayed until six to eight weeks.

Final results are visible at three to six months, once the surviving OnabotulinumtoxinAAbobotulinumtoxinAIncobotulinumtoxinAPrabotulinumtoxinALetibotulinumtoxinARimabotulinumtoxinBHyaluronic Acid FillersCalcium Hydroxylapatite FillersPoly-L-lactic Acid FillersPolymethylmethacrylate FillersAutologous Fat GraftingForehead Lines TreatmentGlabellar Frown Lines TreatmentCrow’s Feet TreatmentBunny Lines TreatmentChemical Brow LiftLip FlipGummy Smile CorrectionMasseter ReductionJaw SlimmingDimpled Chin SmoothingCobblestone Chin SmoothingNefertiti Neck LiftMicro-BotoxMesotoxHyperhidrosis TreatmentChronic Migraine ReliefBruxism TreatmentTMJ TreatmentCervical Dystonia TreatmentNeck Spasm TreatmentBlepharospasm TreatmentLip AugmentationLip ContouringCheekbone EnhancementTear Trough FillersNasolabial Fold SofteningMarionette Line FillersLiquid RhinoplastyNon-Surgical Nose JobJawline ContouringJawline DefinitionChin AugmentationTemple VolumisingHand RejuvenationAcne Scar Subcision Filling has stabilised and swelling has fully resolved.

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Risks specific to this combined procedure

In addition to the standard risks of BBL and implant removal individually, the combined carries some specific considerations:

fat . Tissue that has held an implant has altered vascularity. Fat grafted into this environment may have a lower rate than fat grafted into an untouched buttockmeaning a second touch-up procedure is more often needed.

Skin laxity. Long-term implants stretch the overlying skin. Once the implant is removed, the skin may not contract back fully even with fat replacement. In that case, a buttock lift to remove excess skin can be added — either at the same time or later.

Asymmetry. Existing capsule asymmetry can affect the symmetry of the fat-grafted result. Patients are counselled that perfect symmetry is rarely achievable in revision surgery.

Cost

The combined procedure is priced based on the complexity, the volume of liposuction required, and the volume of fat to be . Detailed pricing is given at consultation. Finance options including 0% APR are available through Chrysalis Finance.

Frequently asked questions

The fat that survives the first six months becomes permanent — it behaves like any other fat in the body and is by weight changes. Significant weight loss after a BBL will reduce volume; significant weight gain will increase it.

The most common solutions are to gain a modest amount of weight before surgery, accept a more conservative volume increase, or stage the with implant removal first and BBL later once weight is gained.

The original implant is reopened during removal, so no new scar is created in that area. The scar can be revised at the same time if it has healed badly.

Office-based work: two to three weeks. Physical work: six to eight weeks. Driving: typically two weeks, once you can sit comfortably.

Fat that has established a blood supply (around six weeks post-op) is permanent. Before that point, fat survival is sensitive to pressure on the buttocks — which is why sitting and sleeping position matter during early recovery.

Booking a consultation

For a buttock and BBL consultation at our Baker Street clinic, call or email .

Centre for Surgery Baker Street London W1U 6RN

Call or fill in the form below. A patient coordinator will call you within one working day to book your consultation with the consultant best matched to your enquiry.

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