With any serious surgery, and in life in general, the number one concern for both you and your doctor will be the general level of safety regarding any procedure or operation. So we always look for new ways to improve the safety of BBL surgery.

Ways To Improve Safety of BBL Surgery

In the world of plastic surgery operations, there are differing levels of complexity and risk involved with any given procedure, depending on a number of factors, which you’ll be able to discuss with your physician in your pre-surgery consultation.

The Brazilian Butt Lift, or BBL, can be a life-changing and life-affirming operation that includes a cascade of positive mental, emotional, and physical effects upon successful execution.

If you’re considering scheduling this fascinating procedure for yourself, then here are some ways that you can prepare yourself adequately to make the procedure go as smoothly and safely as possible.

A Troubled Past Heading Towards a Brighter Future

Although there have been significant gains made in terms of the relative safety of this operation, historically, the BBL has been one of plastic surgery’s most challenging and arguably more dangerous operations.

To combat this troubling phenomenon, dedicated teams of doctors have poured themselves into research in order to make the procedure safer and more accessible.

The organization that has formed to address these troubling trends is known as the Task Force for Safety in Gluteal Fat Grafting. According to these experts, some of the troubles that have come with this surgery are growing pains related to its relatively novel status.

Fat Embolism

Many health issues and potential complications that have come paired with this surgery have had to do with a central issue: a medical emergency known as fat embolism, which occurs when fat gets lodged in the bloodstream and blocks circulation.

According to Miami-based plastic surgeon, Adam J. Rubinstein, “…in the buttocks there are really large veins in and deep to the muscles and if you’re intentionally trying to get fat deep down into the muscle, that’s a dangerous place to be because that’s where all these big veins are.’’

The physician continues: “…if you tear the veins while you’re injecting fat, the fat can get sucked up into a vein and then it’s traveling towards your lungs”.

However, due to the dedicated efforts of the above-mentioned Task Force, there have been concrete gains made in the quest towards making this procedure more refined. Many surgeons have taken the recommendations of the Task Force to heart, which has produced much stronger outcomes in terms of patient mortality.

“Recent survey data has suggested that many, many surgeons are changing their technique based on the recommendations of the task force and that the mortality rate is approximately that of the tummy tuck one in about 15,000” stated Pittsburgh-based plastic surgeon and ASPS immediate-Past President, J. Peter Rubin, MD.

Ultrasounds: Moving Towards the Future

As innovation proliferates in this surgical field, many physicians have turned to ultrasound technology to provide the cornerstone in their pursuit of providing safer BBL surgeries.

In fact, several states have implemented measures to codify the use of ultrasounds as a required step in the BBL procedure. This is because they allow the physician to create an image of the buttocks muscle, which ensures that they are able to avoid the potentially deadly situation of accidentally injecting fat into the muscle.

Experts maintain that there’s really no reason not to utilize this potentially life-saving step in the BBL process. As Dr. Steven Williams stated, “As plastic surgeons, we want to avoid bad events to begin with, so I encourage people to get trained and use ultrasound.”

Continuing, the doctor explains, “I think it’s an important tool, even in my practice where I haven’t had one of these horrible and unfortunate complications in the past, I’ve tried to increase safety by adding it as a tool that I use regularly. Everything you can do to minimize complications makes sense.”

Determine From The Outset: Is A BBL Right For Me?

The first step you can take with your physician during your preliminary consultation is discussing whether you are a good candidate to receive a BBL.

Generally speaking, anyone unhappy with the appearance of their buttocks remains considered to fit as a plausible candidate for a BBL. However, you will need to discuss with your physician some factors that stay considered to prove of paramount importance: namely, the general state of your health and medical history.

If your physician clears you for treatment based on these factors, you’ll likely find yourself approved and scheduled for surgery.

Steps You Can Take To Improve The Safety of Your BBL

Prior to your operation, you’ll meet with your physician to discuss a number of factors that can have impacts on the way that your surgery transpires.

Factors will include your personal health history, any history of past surgeries, and any prescription medications that you currently take. In addition, your physician will likely take into account whether you’re taking any herbal or personal supplements that have blood thinning effects.

Other steps you can take to minimize the amount of risk that you’re undertaking include minimizing your alcohol intake prior to the operation. Your doctor will also likely advise you to completely quit smoking for several weeks prior to your operation.

Ask Plenty of Questions

You’ll want to make sure that the surgeon that you select for your BBL is up to date on the latest thinking and technical advancement of the craft. In fact, you’ll likely not want to settle for less than a surgeon who is actively a specialist in this type of procedure.

Gauging whether your surgeon is board certified or a member of such organizations as The Aesthetic Society, or the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, can help you determine whether or not they have the expertise to safely execute the finer aspects of this highly technical procedure.

Some incisive questions that you can ask any physician who you may be consulting with about this procedure include:

Do you follow the guidelines recommended by the Gluteal Fat Grafting Task Force?
How often do you perform BBL’s?
Have you ever had issues with complications arising either during or after the execution of a BBL?

Additionally, you should be able to give your prospective doctor an at least somewhat general outline of what your hopes and expectations are regarding your desired outcomes for your impending procedure.

By providing your surgeon with these details, you increase the chances of having a surgery that finds both of you pleased with the results.

The Post-Surgical Period

With a surgery as complex and potentially risky as a BBL, the post-surgical period is just as critical as the time you spend preparing, or even as much as the time you spend in the operating room.

It is essential that you follow the post-operative guidelines as closely as possible in order to ensure the best results and optimize the effects of your surgery. Some of these guidelines might include:

Wearing your doctor-approved compression garments to assist the skin in tightening back up and to improve healing
If you stopped smoking or vaping before your surgery, consider continuing to do so
Ensure that you maintain a consistent sleep schedule- Avoid engaging in forms of exercise that are overly strenuous, or that apply to much force to your surgery area
You may be advised to begin sleeping on your stomach or side in the immediate period following the surgery

Following these best practices can ensure that you minimize the risks associated with your post-surgical period, and maintain the best results possible following your initial procedure.

Unfortunately, oftentimes the first few days after a BBL tend to be highly stressful on the body. So it is of paramount importance that you prepare yourself to attend to your needs with as little stress and as much relaxation as you can muster. Additionally, following any regimental advice from your doctor will be of paramount importance.

Minimizing Pressure on The Buttocks

There is a myriad of other smaller details which can help sway the way in which your post-surgery period evolves, including wearing loose-fitting clothing, and just generally avoiding placing too much pressure on your surgery area.

This occurs because this area will remain highly vulnerable to any manner of stress applied to it. Especially in the immediate aftermath of your procedure.

Despite the complexity of the BBL surgery, it usually wraps up within a couple of hours. This means that you can head home the same day. That said, you’ll want to schedule some assistance in advance for things like driving home from the surgery and setting up a comfortable post-surgery environment for yourself.

Serving Beverly Hills Safely-Executed BBL’s

Gabbay Plastic Surgery and its award-winning team of physicians have served the Beverly Hills area expertly executed BBL procedures for years. They always look for new ways to improve safety of BBL surgery. If you would like to discuss with a physician whether this procedure is right for you, then consider scheduling a consultation on our website.