A Brazilian butt lift is an effective way to get a more aesthetically pleasing butt. You can expect BBL to last for several years and in some cases, several decades, but you must be aware of the process and have realistic expectations to get the best out of this cosmetic procedure. Visit Millennial Plastic Surgery to find out if you are an ideal candidate for BBL and what you can do to keep the same round, curvy shape for the long term. Dr. David Shokrian helps you understand what is a Brazilian butt lift, and what you can do to continue seeing same great results 10 or more years later.
Brazilian butt lift is a surgical procedure that uses liposuction and augmentation to transfer fat from other areas of your body to your butt to create a better looking and shapely posterior. Also known as a safe subcutaneous buttock augmentation (SSBA), it has become one of the most preferred ways to achieve a customized butt.
What Is a Brazilian Butt Lift?
A Brazilian butt lift is an increasingly popular cosmetic procedure. It enhances the size and shape of your butt by removing excess fat from areas of your body and utilizing it to add fullness and create a superior posterior.
It is important to note that a Brazilian butt lift is not a traditional “lift” procedure like a facelift procedure or breast lift despite its name or involves the same techniques. It improves or augments the looks of your buttocks and adds volume to the shape of your butt but does not improve sagging or excess skin. Brazilian butt lift works by collecting surplus fat from areas like the waist, abdomen, or thighs and uses this to generate a more voluminous, curvaceous backside while also producing a balanced and shapely overall appearance.
You should be in good physical and mental health and have realistic expectations about this procedure to enjoy the best outcomes.
Read on to find out how this safe and effective cosmetic surgery helps you achieve perfectly shaped buttocks and what you can do to retain excellent results for years.
What Makes BBL a Preferred Choice?
BBL has become popular for several reasons. Not only it gives you a bigger and better-looking behind but removes unwanted fat from other areas of your body where it is not needed.
It is particularly appealing to most patients as it helps them achieve super natural-looking results without needing a foreign substance, such as an implant, to be inserted into their body.
How Does BBL Work?
Brazilian butt lift collects surplus fat from areas of the body and uses it to generate a more voluminous, rounded backside. The doctor uses a thin tube, called a cannula that is connected to a vacuum for liposuction. It removes extra fat cells from areas where they often accumulate, such as your abdomen, hips, lower back, and thighs.
The extracted fat is washed, separated from the fluid, and injected into the buttocks to enhance its shape and size. In some cases, a portion of the transferred fat may not take to the relocation. Considering this, your surgeon may inject more than the necessary fat to ensure the results meet your expectations and goals. If a majority of cells do not endure, you may have to go for regrafting in future.
Who Is a Good Candidate for BBL?
You are a good candidate for Brazilian Butt Lift or mini BBL if you seek a change in buttock contours. If you have lost your natural butt curves due to age or weight loss, and have enough pockets of fat for grafting, you can go for a buttock lift.
BBL is the right option if:
- You are in generally good health
- You are free from any infection
- You can tolerate anesthesia and surgery
- You have a healthy and stable weight
- You have a normal lifestyle with regular exercise and diet
- You do not smoke
Discuss all your surgical needs, options, and recommendations with your doctor to find out more about BBL and how it can help you enjoy a more curvy rear.
What to Expect From the BBL Procedure?
You can start preparing for your BBL procedure by following your doctor’s orders and giving up smoking for at least three weeks before the surgery. Your doctor will ask about the medications you are taking and tell you to stop taking aspirin, blood thinning medications, or any other products that could interfere with anesthesia, two weeks before the surgery.
The entire process is carried out under general anesthesia, IV sedation, or a combination of local and oral sedation, for a technique known as awake liposuction. Your doctor will recommend the safest and most realistic anesthesia option based on what you are most comfortable with.
Once you are anesthetized, the surgeon starts with liposuction by making a small incision. He will use the cannula tube to drain fat on the targeted areas of your body. After the fat has been properly processed and prepared, it is ready for reinjection into your buttocks.
As the fat does not have its inherent blood supply, placement location is essential for the best chance of stable transfer and bonding. This delicate procedure usually involves three to five incisions around the buttocks and carefully administers the right amount of fat to specific areas at the proper depth for even, natural-looking results. The surgeon will finish the procedure by closing the stitches and applying a compression bandage to stop bleeding and keep the area clean.
Recovering From BBL – What Is It Like?
You will not be able to sit on your buttocks or sleep on your back for about two weeks after the surgery or until the area has healed enough. Some people naturally absorb more of the injected fat than others, and rates of healing also vary. You may experience swelling for several weeks, but the pain should be minimal. The surgeon will discuss all these aspects with you and also recommend medication to keep down the pain and swelling. You can resume light activities after one week but it is important to avoid strenuous movements and lifting heavy objects.
After two weeks, your surgeon will evaluate your condition and see if you have healed enough to sit on your buttocks using a donut seat or pillows under your thighs. You cannot sit normally for about eight weeks but resume work in 7 to 10 days. It can take up to six months to fully heal and see the final results of your surgery.
In the first two weeks after the procedure, your rear may lose up to 40% of the injected fat after liposuction. It is normal and is the reason your surgeon will overfill the site to compensate. After this initial period, your butt will regenerate and grow new fat cells, which increases its size. Your buttocks will stabilize after three to six months.
BBL Results – How Long Do They Last?
Like any other procedure, how long the results of BBL last varies from patient to patient. By the time your recovery period comes to an end, you should have more voluminous, perky buttocks, as well as improved body shape and proportions. If the fat transfer does not take hold as expected, you may require more than one procedure to attain the look you want. It will take approximately three months to determine if the transfer has bonded effectively.
Most patients can expect the results of a Brazilian butt lift to last five years or more. In some cases, the results can last a decade if you treat the procedure to maximize the results. They may even last over a decade without follow-up treatment. However, your body changes as you age and it may affect results over time. It is important to note that weight fluctuations can affect the outcome of this procedure. If you gain weight, your buttocks can become enlarged, or they can get smaller if you lose weight.
The fat cells added to your buttocks can also shrink or grow so it is essential to maintain a stable weight to preserve surgery outcomes. It is best to add healthy fats to your diet, especially during the early recovery period, to help with better fat retention.
If your skin becomes loose as the years pass, you can opt for a touch-up BBL. Getting additional fat to your bottom as you age can help to retain the shape for a longer term.
Potential Risks and Side Effects of BBL
For the most part, BBL is a safe and effective procedure when carried out by an experienced and board-certified cosmetic surgeon. As it is a surgical procedure, there is a potential risk of complications or side effects.
Common side effects include:
- Infection
- Scarring
- Lumpy or uneven skin texture
- Prolonged pain
- Bruising
- Skin discoloration or changes in skin sensation
- Poor wound healing
Your butt contains many blood vessels and nerves. If the cannula strikes any of these during the surgery, it can lead to injury. Although rare, there is a chance that if the procedure is not performed correctly, the injected fat can enter the bloodstream and cause a fat embolism of the heart or lungs, which could potentially be fatal.
You must let your doctor know if you experience any side effects following your surgery or if you any unusual symptoms that do not seem normal.
How Much Does It Cost?
An average BBL procedure costs around $7,000 but can range from $5,000 to more than $10,000, depending on your specific needs and body goals. Along with the procedure cost, there are several related expenses, including operating room facilities, anesthesia, and other items that affect the total amount you pay for your surgery.
As Brazilian butt lifts are a cosmetic procedure and not a medical necessity, health insurance does not cover them. Many plastic surgeons offer financing plans to their patients. Have a detailed discussion with your doctor regarding the surgery costs and payment options before taking a decision.
Dr. David Shokrian specializes in Brazilian butt lifts and has the experience and the expertise to achieve your dream backside. He helps you understand what the procedure is all about, and how you can enjoy perfectly shaped buttocks to get that hourglasses figure you long for. Schedule an appointment at Millennial Plastic Surgery for expert advice on achieving stunning, natural-looking results with BBL and retaining them for years.