BBL

The shape of your body is determined by genetics and lifestyle. Everyone stores body fat differently. Some people have full, round bottoms while others have flatter, less shapely ones. Hormonal changes, pregnancy, and weightlifting can alter a person's natural shape. Some people are happy with the shape of their bottom while others remain unhappy despite regular exercise and a healthy diet.

If you feel like your buttock area is not what you'd like it to be, plastic surgeons can perform an elective cosmetic procedure called a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) to make it rounder, fuller, and more shapely. Continue reading to learn more about this body contouring procedure and what it can do for your body shape and self confidence. Here's everything you need to know about the Brazilian Butt Lift fat transfer procedure.

What is a Brazilian Butt Lift? What does BBL surgery mean?

A Brazilian Butt Lift is a plastic surgery that uses a combination of liposuction and fat grafting to lift, add volume, and define curves in the buttocks. It is a surgical procedure that has been growing in popularity in recent years. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports that approximately 20,000 people had a Brazilian Butt Lift performed in 2017 by board certified plastic surgeons in the United States, an increase of more than 100% over 2012. However, along with its increasing popularity, BBL has also been in the news because of a high surgical risk and reports of serious complications following this cosmetic surgery.

What is the purpose of a Brazilian Butt Lift? What are its benefits?

A board certified plastic surgeon can give patients very natural looking results with a Brazilian Butt Lift. There are various reasons that patients choose to get a BBL, including:

• More balanced proportions between the upper and lower body
• Hourglass shape
• Larger, fuller, rounder buttocks without implants
• Filling in areas of cellulite or depressions
• Removing unwanted fat from other areas of the body
• Better fitting of clothing

Diagnosis related to BBL

There is a mental health condition known as body dysmorphic disorder. People with body dysmorphia cannot stop thinking about the perceived flaws in their appearance. These flaws are often minor and not noticeable by others. However, the affected person feels ashamed or embarrassed with their body type. Many people with body dysmorphic disorder want to get a Brazilian Butt Lift. However, they may not be the best candidates for this plastic surgery procedure.

Brazilian Butt Lift: Technique and Process

The first part of the BBL procedure involves liposuction. The plastic surgeon removes fat stores from areas where they are unwanted, typically the abdomen, thighs, or lower back. The fat cells are then processed and purified and re-injected into the buttocks. The injected fat is also sometimes placed in the thighs and hips, depending on what shape the patient prefers. The liposuction and fat transfers are done under general anesthesia. The fat cells are removed through very small incisions which are closed with sutures.

BBL recovery and outlook

After a Brazilian Butt Lift, patients need to wear compression garments to keep the swelling down. The surgeon will also advise that a patient sleep on their tummy instead of their back or side to keep the pressure off the new fat cells which have been grafted into the buttocks.

Some swelling and bruising can last for several weeks after BBL. However, most patients can go back to work in a few days. Patients must avoid strenuous exercise for several weeks. It can take up to 6 months to see the final results of the procedure.

Patients can ensure a good outcome by following the surgeon's postop instructions, including wearing the compression garments as directed and ensuring that they do not lose or gain weight to any significant degree.

Am I a candidate for a Brazilian Butt Lift?

You will need to go in for one or more consultations with a board certified plastic surgeon who will make the final decision. You will also need to get medical clearance before you undergo BBL surgery.

You are a good candidate for the procedure if you are within 15 pounds of your goal body weight. This is because weight fluctuations after the surgery can lead to changes in the shape of the buttocks.

Last but not least, good candidates for a Brazilian Butt Lift have realistic expectations from the surgery. Your surgeon will show you before/after pictures and discuss your goals with you thoroughly before recommending the procedure to you.

BBL side effects and complications

Like any surgery, a Brazilian Butt Lift also carries some risk. Potential side effects and complications of the procedure include infection, bleeding, scarring, and persistent pain. There is also a risk of lumps forming in the treated area with some areas of less volume. A more serious risk of BBL includes loss of skin due to deep infection. Perhaps the greatest risk from the surgery is that of fat embolism (blockage of a blood vessel from a piece of fat). Fat embolism is a potentially fatal condition.

Why is BBL plastic surgery so dangerous?

A Brazilian Butt Lift can be very dangerous for a patient if the fat cells are injected deep into the muscles during the transfer process, from where they can enter a vein and lead to fat embolism. A piece of fat in the bloodstream can travel to other parts of the body such as the lungs or heart, block an important artery, and cause death.

Alternatives to Brazilian Butt Lifts

If you are not happy with the shape of your body and your butt in particular, but are not quite ready to go in for a BBL surgery, there are other procedures and less invasive alternatives available, some of which are briefly described below.

Sculptra

This is a dermal filler treatment that promotes collagen synthesis. It is a good alternative for slimmer women who do not have enough fat stores for fat transfer during a BBL. The cost is approximately $700 per vial and the results last around 18-24 months. There is little to no downtime after Sculptra.

Emsculpt

This is an elective cosmetic procedure in which the muscles are made to contract at a rate they cannot naturally do so with exercise. This helps to strengthen the butt muscles and give them more definition. Each session costs around $750 and most people need 4-6 Emsculpt sessions.

CoolTone

Patients undergo electromagnetic stimulation of the abdomen, hips, thighs, and butt muscles during CoolTone treatments, which helps to give more definition and add curves. The cost is around $3,000.

Skin Plasma

A helium-based plasma is applied to the skin to achieve tightening. This treatment can be combined with a dermal filler like Sculptra to add volume. The results are visible immediately. The procedure usually costs around $1,500.

Inmode EVOLVE Tone

This alternative to a Brazilian Butt Lift involves reducing the size of the waist to create the illusion of bigger buttocks. Electrical muscle stimulation is used to induce contractions and better define the muscles without surgery. The cost is approximately $4,000.

FAQs

Which lipo technique is the best for fat transfer?

Some liposuction techniques such as laser assisted lipo do not leave the fat cells viable for fat transfer during a Brazilian Butt Lift. Surgeons use newer techniques such as SmartLipo or WaterLipo to harvest healthy fat cells so that the injected fat survives. This ensures the best outcomes from BBL.

How much fat volume or fat cells are needed?

The amount of fat transfer will depend on a number of factors, including availability of fat cells for grafting as well as the desired body proportions.

Can I sit after BBL?

You will need to sleep on your tummy and avoid sitting for 3-4 weeks after a Brazilian Butt Lift. This is to keep pressure off the new fat cells, which can be destroyed due to a lack of blood supply if you put pressure on the area. You can sit on an inflatable pillow while you heal.

What are the risks involved?

As noted above, like all surgeries, a Brazilian Butt Lift can lead to complications include bleeding, infection, scarring, loss of skin, and fat embolism.

How painful is a Brazilian Butt Lift?

The surgery is performed under anesthesia and you will not feel any pain. During the recovery period, you may have some discomfort while you heal. This can usually be managed with pain medication. Pain medication is usually only required in the first week after the procedure.

Can I have sex after the surgery?

Your surgeon will give you specific instructions but you will likely need to avoid sex for 10-14 days after your Brazilian Butt Lift.

How much does a BBL cost?

The cost of a Brazilian Butt Lift can range anywhere from $3,000 to $30,000 depending on how much fat grafting is performed. In the UK, men and women typically pay between £2,000 and £7,000, depending on the location of the clinic and how much work is done.

Finding a Brazilian Butt Lift surgeon near you

The MeTime app makes it easy for patients to find an American board certified plastic surgeon or a specialist surgeon in the UK and elsewhere around the world. You can chat with experts, upload pictures, schedule a video consult, and have suggestions sent directly to you. If you would like to find out whether you are a good candidate for a Brazilian Butt Lift or BBL surgery, download the MeTime app today!