Brazilian Butt Lift: Everything You Need to Know

One of the increasingly popular cosmetic procedures in the world today is the Brazilian Butt Lift. Over the past few years, this procedure, more formally known as gluteal fat grafting, has faced significant controversy and risks that have garnered widespread attention, even among those outside the realm of plastic surgery. A Brazilian Butt Lift is a surgical procedure where a doctor moves fat from your abdomen, hips, lower back, or thighs (liposuction) to enhance your buttocks.

Disclaimer: It is neither Brazilian nor a lift, either.

It’s important to note that despite its name, a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) is not a conventional “lift” procedure, such as a facelift or breast lift. Instead, it enhances the volume and shape of the buttocks. If the fat is harvested from your abdomen or lower back, it can also create the illusion of a smaller waist.

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Why is it called a Brazilian Butt Lift?

The field of plastic surgery has deep historical connections with Brazil, with Brazilian plastic surgeon Ivo Pitanguy often recognized as a pioneering figure in the field. Nevertheless, the Brazilian Butt Lift, as it exists today, has undergone significant transformations and advancements over the past few decades.

Who Is a Good Candidate for a Brazilian Butt Lift?

Getting a Brazilian butt lift is a highly personal decision. Empowering yourself to pursue your body’s desires and aspirations can be a very personal journey.

To be eligible for a Brazilian butt lift, certain criteria must be met:

Your physical development must be complete.
You should be in good overall physical condition.
Having realistic expectations is important.
You should have enough excess body fat in other areas of your body for transfer to your buttocks.
You must be a nonsmoker.
You must maintain a healthy lifestyle, which involves regular exercise.
You should not have experienced recent infections or complications from any surgery.

What Is Involved in a Brazilian Butt Lift Surgery?

A Brazilian butt lift involves three basic steps:

Excess fat is removed from areas like the hips, lower back, thighs, and abdomen using liposuction.
The collected fat is carefully purified and prepared for transfer
A skilled cosmetic surgeon then injects the purified fat into specific points on the buttocks to increase their volume and enhance their shape.

What Happens During a Brazilian Butt Lift Surgery?

When you undergo a BBL surgery, your doctor will administer general anesthesia or intravenous sedation combined with local anesthesia, to ensure you are comfortably sedated and pain-free throughout the procedure.

The initial stage of the surgery involves liposuction. This entails attaching a thin metal hose, known as a cannula, to a suction device. Small incisions will be made in specific areas of your body where fat removal is desired. The cannula will be inserted between your skin and muscle to extract the fat.

Once the fat has been extracted, it undergoes a purification process to remove excess fluids, leaving only fat cells for reinsertion.

The subsequent phase of the procedure involves injecting the purified fat into your buttocks. Your doctor will create small incisions around the buttock area and carefully transfer the purified fat, with a focus on enhancing the upper buttock region. It’s important to note that not all of the injected fat may integrate perfectly into its new location, and an experienced cosmetic surgeon might compensate for this by initially injecting a slightly greater amount of fat into the buttocks to help you achieve your desired results.

The final step involves stitching the incision areas. To minimize bleeding, the treated areas will be wrapped with a compression band. Upon waking, you may experience some grogginess and soreness.

Brazilian Butt Lift Recovery

Following a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) surgery, it is important to adhere strictly to your doctor’s instructions. This is to ensure the survival of the transferred fat cells, as your body will naturally absorb some of the injected fat during the healing process (typically around 20% to 40%).

1. Immediately After Surgery

You can anticipate some bruising and swelling in the areas where liposuction was performed. Mobility may be difficult during the first few days following the surgery, but it is important to move around. This not only helps in overall recovery but also helps prevent constipation, a side effect of certain pain-relieving medications. It’s also common to observe a discharge of bloody fluid from the incisions, which is a normal part of the healing process.

2. Pain Management

After the procedure, pain is usually minimal, with any discomfort mostly manageable without the need for prescription pain medication. Your doctor may prescribe medication for pain relief, or you can opt for over-the-counter pain relievers. Pain typically diminishes within 1 to 2 weeks.

3. Compression Garment

You will need to wear a compression garment over the liposuction areas for approximately 8 weeks post-surgery. This garment usually features a cut-out for the buttocks to avoid putting pressure on the newly transplanted fat cells.

4. No Sitting

After about 2 weeks, your surgeon will grant permission for you to sit in a modified position using a supportive “donut” seat or cushion under your thighs to avoid pressure on your buttocks. During this time, you’ll need to sleep on your stomach and either lie on your stomach, kneel, or stand for your daily activities. Alternating positions during the day can also be helpful. Consider using a standing desk if you have a desk-based job. Typically, you can return to sitting without restrictions about eight weeks after the procedure.

5. Sleep Position

For the initial 8 weeks post-surgery, it is advisable to sleep on your stomach or side to protect the transplanted fat cells.

6. Activity Levels

After the surgery, you can generally resume light daily activities and work within 10 to 14 days. After this period, you can gradually reintroduce lower-impact activities such as walking. High-impact activities can typically be resumed after 2-3 months, but it’s essential to consult with your doctor before doing so.

Complete recovery generally takes around six months. At this point, all swelling has subsided, allowing you to see the final results of the procedure. These results should last several years, but it’s important to maintain a stable weight without significant fluctuations, as weight changes can impact the outcome.

Advantages of a Brazilian Butt Lift

Under the expertise of a certified and seasoned plastic surgeon, undergoing a Brazilian Butt Lift offers numerous benefits:

Enhanced safety when compared to alternative procedures, such as silicone butt implants.
Achieves a natural-looking outcome.
Long-lasting results.
A potential boost to your self-confidence.
Improved clothing fit and comfort.

Brazilian Butt Lift Risks/Complications

Every surgery carries inherent risks, and Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) is no exception. Some potential risks associated with BBL include the possibility of fat being injected too deeply, which can result in fat embolization. Fat embolization occurs when fat enters the bloodstream and can travel to the heart or lungs, potentially blocking arteries or veins. Additional risks include:

Post-surgery infection
Changes in skin sensation, including numbness
Presence of loose skin, particularly in areas where liposuction was performed
Scarring
Bruising
Swelling
Skin discoloration

Research reveals that between 2011 and 2016, there were 25 Brazilian Butt Lift related deaths. In 2017, a plastic surgery task force reported that three percent of plastic surgeons who conducted these surgeries experienced patient fatalities. While some surveys suggest a potential decrease in this rate, it is important to be aware of the danger.

Survey from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons indicate a higher mortality rate compared to other cosmetic surgeries, with one reported death for every 3,000 BBL procedures performed. One way to mitigate these risks is by strategically injecting fat tissue above the gluteal muscle to prevent fat from entering blood vessels and causing fat embolization. However, this approach can increase the technical complexity of the operation, potentially contributing to a rise in complications.

Choosing a Brazilian Butt Lift Surgeon

If you’re contemplating a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL), your first step involves finding a qualified surgeon. Given the paramount safety concerns associated with this procedure, it is important to choose a board-certified plastic surgeon with experience in BBLs. The chosen surgeon should possess a comprehensive understanding of patient anatomy and a wealth of experience in both liposuction and fat transfer techniques.

Here are a few tips to find a good plastic surgeon:

Inquire about the number of BBL procedures they have performed in the past.
Request for before-and-after photos showcasing the results achieved with previous patients.
Verify their certification with the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery.
Learn about the surgical facilities where they conduct procedures and ascertain whether these facilities hold relevant accreditation.
Consider your comfort level with both the surgeon and their support staff.
Review online feedback from reputable sources to gain insights into patient experiences.

Brazilian Butt Lift Cost

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) states that the average cost for a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) is approximately $4,807. It’s important to note that this figure does not include additional charges such as anesthesia, facility charges, as well as post-surgery garments and medications. The overall cost can fluctuate significantly, influenced by factors like your geographical location.

Brazilian Butt Lift vs. Sculptra Butt Lift, Silicone Implants, and Liposuction

Butt augmentations are steadily on the rise, and it’s essential to understand that the Brazilian Butt Lift is not your only option. The following alternatives are worth discussing with your healthcare provider:

1. Sculptra Butt Lift

Sculptra, a dermal filler, is used to restore volume in the skin due to natural volume loss that occurs with aging. While it’s mostly used to address facial wrinkles, it can be considered in conjunction with a Brazilian Butt Lift to maximize volume. It’s important to note that using Sculptra in the buttocks is considered an off-label application by the FDA.

2. Silicone Butt Implants

In this procedure, silicone implants are surgically placed in the buttocks. It is a more invasive option compared to the Brazilian Butt Lift, although in some cases, these two procedures are used together. Silicone butt implants come with the long-term risk of potential displacement, which may necessitate future surgeries.

3. Liposuction

When there is an excess of fat in the gluteal area, surgeons may recommend liposuction to remove these fat deposits, creating a more rounded appearance. It’s important to clarify that liposuction focuses exclusively on fat removal and does not involve the fat transfer characteristic of a Brazilian Butt Lift.

N.B.: It’s crucial to emphasize that silicone or hydrogel injections should never be used for a butt lift. These injections do not yield the same results and are explicitly warned against by the FDA due to cases of severe side effects and deaths.

A Few More Thoughts!

Getting a Brazilian Butt Lift is a very personal decision. If you desire to enhance the size and contour of your buttocks while simultaneously addressing other areas of your body, consulting a plastic surgeon to explore your options is a strategic step. A Brazilian butt lift can boost your self-confidence, but it’s important to understand that the results are semi-permanent, potentially necessitating future procedures. Engage in a thorough discussion with your healthcare provider to address any inquiries or concerns, and learn more about the potential outcomes and associated risks.

Frequently Asked Questions about Brazilian Butt Lift

1. How long does BBL last?

The effects of a Brazilian Butt Lift are semi-permanent, with the potential to last for several years and may even extend beyond a decade without the need for additional treatments. However, the natural aging process can lead to changes in the body, which can affect your results over time.

2. How painful is a BBL?

During the procedure itself, you won’t feel any pain due to the administered anesthesia. However, as the effects of the anesthesia wear off after the surgery, it’s common to experience some discomfort or soreness. The pain level after a BBL can vary from mild to moderate, with most people describing it as manageable.

3. What is the negative side of BBL?

A wrongly executed procedure can result in the injected fat entering the major veins in the buttocks and subsequently traveling to the lungs leading to respiratory distress and ultimately death. Another known side effect is the potential failure of your buttocks to take up the grafted fat stores.

4. Can BBL be done twice?

Yes! You can undergo a second BBL at least 6 months after the initial procedure because the body needs to heal the damaged tissue from the first surgery. Also, the blood supply which was separated during the operation needs to reconnect itself before operating in the same area again.

5. Can a skinny girl get a BBL?

Several factors that may make a candidate suitable for a Skinny BBL includes candidates who are thin or slim with a BMI below 25. Those considered ‘too skinny’ for a standard BBL are often suitable candidates for a Skinny BBL.