The Brazilian butt lift, or BBL, is the fast-growing plastic surgery, up 61% in the past five years. This is largely because of the satisfying aesthetic results patients get from BBL surgery and an increasing desire for a more athletic, voluptuous lower half in the modern era.
Knowing what to expect and how to prepare for BBL surgery is the best way to get the desired results, which is why expert plastic surgeon Dr. Scott Farber has put together this guide to Brazilian butt surgery. Read on to learn everything you need to get the backside of your dreams.
What Is a Brazilian Butt Lift? The Basics of BBL Surgery
A Brazilian Butt Lift, also known as BBL, is a type of cosmetic surgery that enhances the size and shape of a person’s buttocks without implants. It uses the patient’s own fat to augment the buttocks, thus the procedure is also known as buttock augmentation via fat transfer.
The procedure is named after Brazil due to the country’s cultural emphasis on the attractiveness of a well-proportioned rear end, but it is now popular worldwide.
Understanding Brazilian Butt Lift Surgery and Its Benefits
Brazilian butt lift surgery has several benefits that have contributed to its rise in popularity. These include:
Natural-Looking Results
Because a BBL uses your own fat, the results can look and feel more natural than with silicone implants. The procedure can improve the proportion and balance of your overall figure, not just increase the size of your buttocks.
Two-in-One Procedure
BBL has the added advantage of improving the contours of other areas of your body where the fat is harvested. Common areas for fat extraction include the abdomen, thighs, and lower back, which can benefit from liposuction and appear slimmer and more toned.
Less Risk of Rejection
As the procedure uses your own body fat, there is less risk of an allergic reaction or rejection, which can sometimes occur with implants.
Improved Overall Body Proportions
BBL can enhance your overall body proportions and silhouette. By taking fat from where it’s unwanted and adding it to your buttocks, your surgeon can help you achieve a more balanced and attractive body contour.
Long-Lasting Results
When performed by an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon and followed by careful post-operative care, BBL can offer long-lasting results. After the surgery, once the initial swelling has resolved and the fat cells have established themselves in their new location, the results can be quite durable.
Boost in Self-Confidence
For many people, having a BBL can lead to a significant boost in self-esteem and body confidence, which can impact various aspects of their personal and professional life.
Am I a Candidate for Brazilian Butt Lift Surgery?
The best way to determine whether you’re a good candidate for BBL surgery is via an in-person consultation with an expert plastic surgeon like Dr. Farber. However, there are a number of factors that contribute towards making someone suitable for the treatment:
Good General Health
You should be in good overall health without any serious medical conditions that could increase the risks associated with surgery or impede your healing process.
Adequate Fat Stores
You need to have enough excess fat in other areas of your body, such as the abdomen, thighs, or lower back, that can be harvested through liposuction for the fat transfer. If you are too thin or don’t have sufficient fat stores, you might not be an ideal candidate for BBL.
Realistic Expectations
It’s important to have a clear understanding of what BBL can and cannot achieve and have realistic expectations about the results. A skilled surgeon can help you determine if your goals are anatomically achievable through this procedure.
Non-Smoker or Willing to Quit
Smoking can significantly increase the risks of complications during and after surgery, as well as hinder the healing process. If you smoke, you should be willing to quit for at least 4 weeks prior to and following your procedure, or as recommended by your surgeon.
Stable Weight
Your weight should be relatively stable, as significant fluctuations in weight after the procedure may affect the results. Ideally, you should be at or near your ideal weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Commitment to Recovery
You should be prepared to follow your surgeon’s post-operative care instructions, including avoiding direct pressure on the buttocks for at least 8 weeks, wearing a compression garment, and caring for the surgical sites.
What Happens During a BBL Surgery?
The fundamental steps in a Brazilian butt lift surgery are liposuction, fat purification, and fat injection:
Liposuction
Liposuction is the process of removing fat from various parts of the body, such as the abdomen, hips, lower back, or thighs. Dr. Farber uses a thin tube called a cannula, connected to a specialized vacuum, to extract fat from these areas. This not only provides the material for the buttock augmentation but also helps to create a more attractive, contoured appearance in the areas around the buttocks.
Fat Purification
Once the fat has been collected, it goes through a process of purification. This typically involves spinning the fat in a machine called a centrifuge to separate the healthy, viable fat cells from the damaged cells and other substances. The goal is to obtain the highest quality fat cells for injection into the buttocks.
Fat Injection
The final step is to inject the purified fat into the buttocks at various depths to ensure an even, natural-looking increase in size and improvement in shape. This is a very careful and meticulous process, as Dr. Farber strategically injects small amounts of purified fat into different areas of the buttocks and at various depths to achieve the most natural-looking and attractive results.
It’s important to note that a BBL is not just about increasing the size of the buttocks, but also about enhancing its shape and proportion in relation to the rest of the body, which is why the liposuction phase is so important.
Fat Transfer vs. Butt Implants: Comparing Your Options for Butt Enhancement
Similar to breast augmentation via fat transfer or implants, enhancing your buttocks via fat transfer or implants have related benefits and drawbacks.
Fat Transfer/Brazilian Butt Lift
The benefits of butt enhancement via fat transfer are the more natural-looking results, the reduced risk of allergic reaction or rejection, a faster recovery time, and the fact liposuction can enhance the aesthetics of other parts of the body.
However, the procedure does require a significant amount of body fat for extraction, not all of which will survive, meaning the results from fat transfer butt augmentation are less predictable than the results from implants.
Buttock Implants
Buttock implants are beneficial for patients who don’t have enough donor fat to achieve their desired results. They also deliver more predictable and more significant results. However, implants require a more invasive surgery than fat transfer, can carry more risks, may have results that do not look or feel as natural, and requires a longer recovery period.
Ultimately, your goals and anatomy will determine which procedure is best for you, but you should consult with your surgeon first.
Recovery from Brazilian Butt Lift Surgery: What to Expect After Your Procedure
Recovery from BBL surgery is essentially a process of rest and reduced physical activity, during which you must avoid sitting or lying directly on your buttocks for at least 8 weeks. Any swelling or pain can be managed using medication as prescribed by your doctor, and you’ll need to use a BBL pillow that can enable you to sit without putting direct pressure on the buttocks.
Patients can expect to return to light physical activity two weeks after surgery, with most patients being back to their normal daily routines within six weeks.
Long-Term Results of Brazilian Butt Lift Surgery: How Long Will the Results Last?
BBL surgery is well-regarded for providing long-lasting results; however, patients must understand that the longevity of results depends largely on their lifestyle post-procedure.
Here are some factors to consider when thinking about the longevity of BBL results.
Survival of Transferred Fat Cells
Not all of the fat cells that are transferred during a BBL will survive. Typically, about 60 to 80% of the transferred fat will establish a new blood supply and survive long-term. The body naturally absorbs the rest. Once the fat cells have established themselves (usually around 6 months post-surgery), they are considered permanent.
Weight Fluctuations
The transferred fat cells behave like other fat cells in the body. This means that if you gain weight, your fat cells (including those in your buttocks) can expand, potentially leading to an increase in the size of your buttocks. Conversely, if you lose weight, you may lose some volume in your buttocks.
Aging
As with all parts of the body, the buttocks are not immune to the effects of aging and gravity. Over time, you may notice changes in the shape and firmness of your buttocks.
Risks and Complications of Brazilian Butt Lift Surgery: Understanding the Potential Side Effects
As with any surgical procedure, a BBL comes with potential risks and complications. It’s essential to discuss these thoroughly with your surgeon before determining whether to undergo the procedure; however, it’s also important to know that all these risks are minimized if you select a highly qualified, experienced surgeon to perform your Florida BBL. Here are some potential risks and complications associated with BBL.
Infection
This can occur after any surgical procedure. It’s important to follow all post-operative care instructions to minimize this risk.
Bleeding
While some bleeding is expected during any surgical procedure, excessive bleeding can lead to complications.
Scarring
Scars are a normal part of the healing process after surgery. The extent of scarring can depend on individual healing characteristics and the specific techniques Dr. Farber selects for the particular patient; however, Dr. Farber uses advanced techniques to limit scarring for his patients.
Fat Embolism
This is a rare but serious complication where fat enters the bloodstream and travels to the lungs or brain. It can cause serious health problems, including death.
Numbness or Changes in Sensation
These can occur in the areas where liposuction was performed or in the buttocks. These changes are usually temporary but can be permanent in some cases.
Asymmetry or Irregularities
Not all the fat that is transferred will survive, which can lead to asymmetry or unevenness. Also, liposuction may result in contour irregularities in the areas where fat was harvested.
Dissatisfaction with Aesthetic Results
The final results may not meet your expectations. Factors such as weight fluctuations, aging, and individual healing characteristics can impact the results.
Need for Revision Surgery
Sometimes, additional procedures may be necessary to correct complications or to achieve the desired results.
Brazilian Butt Lift BBL Near Me in Boca Raton, Florida
A Brazilian butt lift can help you or a loved one achieve your desired aesthetic, and enhance your confidence and self-esteem.
If you’d like to book a consultation to learn more about a BBL in Florida, contact Dr. Farber on (561) 503-2700 or complete our online form to arrange your private consultation and start your journey towards looking and feeling your best.