A Brazilian Butt Lift, or BBL, is a procedure that can add volume and heft to a patient’s backside. This ability has made it one of the more commonly requested procedures in the plastic surgery world. In order to maximize the results of a Brazilian Butt Lift, an individual should learn about how the procedure is performed. This knowledge can aid both you and your physician in making the procedure a success.

If you have a BBL planned, take a look at this overview of the procedure and ways you can prepare for and ensure a successful surgery.

What is a BBL?

A Brazilian Butt Lift is a plastic surgery procedure that aims to improve the appearance of a patient’s backside while at the same time slimming down areas of the body where the donor fat is taken from. A BBL can be a risky procedure, so it is typically only recommended for very healthy patients. That said, a BBL can offer the right patient truly stunning results.

Recent developments in the surgery have made it much safer and more secure. These advancements have the potential to open this procedure up for more patients to enjoy in the future.

The Benefits of a BBL

Many aesthetic advantages come with a BBL procedure. Many patients will experience the following benefits:

A BBL produces very natural-looking effects.
The outcomes of this procedure can last for a very long time.
A BBL can boost one’s self-esteem and provide a body image that more closely matches their ideal state.
A patient’s clothes may fit better.
The procedure is considered safer than many other types of surgeries, including silicone implantation.

Most patients who receive a BBL are quite pleased with the results and find that the surgical procedure greatly enhances their general sense of well-being and self-esteem.

Risks Associated with a BBL

There are some risks associated with a BBL, and these risks can range from mere annoyances to life-threatening complications if incorrectly handled. The most common risks associated with this procedure include the following:

Bruising
Infection
Swelling of the surgical site and poor wound healing
Skin discoloration and possible changes in skin sensation
Fat embolism

One of the most pressing concerns of a BBL is a rare occurrence known as fat embolism. Fat embolism is often harmless but has the potential to be life-threatening. It describes disruptions to blood flow that occur when fat enters the bloodstream. Fat embolisms are often the result of traumatic injuries, but when associated with the Brazilian Butt Lift, a fat embolism is usually the result of fat from the procedure entering one of the blood vessels that run through the buttocks. It has the possibility of creating any number of dire medical emergencies as the fat travels through the blood to the lungs, heart, and brain.

The condition is more likely to occur when a surgeon injects the fat for a BBL into the gluteal muscle. Often, injecting the fat in this manner results in the unintentional entrance of fat globules into veins that have been damaged by the BBL injection cannula. For this reason, The Multi-Society Task Force for Safety in Gluteal Fat Grafting (MSTFSGFG) recommends BBL surgeons only inject fat into the space directly under the skin.

Prior to Your Procedure

The Brazilian Butt Lift will begin with a detailed medical consultation between you and your physician. This time is necessary to guarantee the two of you know what is expected to ensure a healthy and successful surgery.

During this time, your physician may ask you a series of clarifying questions regarding your goals for surgery. These questions often include topics such as the following:

What are your expectations for your procedure?
Is anyone in your life encouraging you to get this procedure besides yourself?
Are you aware of the risks of this surgery?
Why exactly do you want a BBL?

These questions are designed to clarify your intentions and help your physician find the best path forward for your surgery. Once these preliminary questions have been answered, you and your physician will be able to move forward with the procedure.

How Much Fat Do You Need for a Brazilian Butt Lift?

Unfortunately, there is no single correct answer to the question of how much fat is necessary to perform a BBL. This is because the amount varies by individual and is decided by a number of factors. Among these factors are the following:

The dimensions and physique of the patient
The amount of fat that is typically harvested for BBLs
The amount of fat that remains on the body
The result you hope to achieve with your operation

If your BBL goal is to have your buttocks’ appearance just slightly altered, only a small amount of fat will likely be required to achieve the desired result. On the other hand, if you are looking to have drastic revisions performed on your buttocks, you may need quite a bit more fat on hand to source from.

How is a Brazilian Butt Lift Performed?

During a BBL, your physician will sedate you with general anesthesia so you are asleep for the duration of the surgery. You may only receive local anesthesia if you only need a small amount of fat transferred.

Once you are fully sedated, the general steps of a BBL are as follows:

A small suction device known as a cannula is utilized and prepared.
The physician makes a series of small incisions on your body and inserts the cannula into the donor areas between your skin and muscles.
Excess fat is removed from the body via the cannula and purified.
Incisions are made in three to five specific areas in your buttocks.
The purified fat is injected into the incisions surrounding your buttock.
The incisions in the liposuction sites and buttocks are closed.

Once your procedure is complete, your physician will provide any specialized advice for your recovery period. To achieve the best results, you should attempt to follow these instructions as closely as possible.

After Your Procedure

Once your procedure is complete, your surgical area will be wrapped with compression bandages to reduce bleeding. You will be transferred to a recovery room, where healthcare providers will monitor your general state of health.

You will generally be discharged on the same day that you receive surgery. That said, patients should arrange for a family member or friend to drive them home and administer care for the first couple of days following the procedure.

Fully recovering from a Brazilian Butt Lift can take some time—many patients will not see the full scope of their results for up to six months following their procedure. In addition, you can expect to see some of the following side effects as your surgical area heals:

Your incisions may face minor bleeding
Your backside may be swollen and bruised
You may retain fluid in the areas surrounding your surgical site

You might take either prescribed pain medication or standard anti-inflammatories to help manage the pain you experience following your procedure. You may also need to continue wearing compression garments on the areas that received liposuction. For about two to three weeks following your procedure, you will find it helpful to avoid sitting on your backside.

Should I Return to the Doctor?

You will likely need to schedule a series of follow-up appointments with your doctor to check in on your results and ensure that your recovery is going well and as planned. You should expect these visits to proceed for about six weeks to three months following the operation. During these visits, your physician will be able to determine whether your healing process is on track and whether you need to adjust your daily habits.

Generally, you should take any and all instructions that your physician gives you during these visits very seriously. This advice is given to ensure that you receive the best results possible.

Choosing the Right Physician

Because a Brazilian Butt Lift can be a somewhat risky procedure, it is critical that you choose a doctor who can provide you with the safest and most secure care.

If your surgeon is board-qualified or a member of organizations like The Aesthetic Society or the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, you can be assured that they have the expertise required to perform this incredibly complex procedure. Board-certified physicians are deemed fit to practice by a committee of their peers and undergo vigorous testing in multiple areas to confirm this fact.

For your peace of mind and the success of your surgery, it is critical that you only receive a Brazilian Butt Lift under the care of a qualified surgeon. You will also benefit from being knowledgeable about the procedure yourself so you can know what to expect from each stage of the treatment and it can be administered more effectively.

The Top Plastic Surgeon in Southern California

Gabbay Plastic Surgery is one of the most well-regarded plastic surgery clinics in Southern California. If you are interested in discussing a safe and reliable Brazilian Butt Lift procedure with a board-certified plastic surgeon, contact our office today to set up an appointment.

How Is a Brazilian Butt Lift Performed?