The Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) is a procedure involving fat transfer via liposuction from areas such as the abdominal region, the flanks, inner and outer thighs and the lower back (and anywhere else deemed suitable by the surgeon based on the individual patient) and then injected into the buttock to add volume, reshape and contour according to the desired outcome.
The limit to the amount of fat you can put into each buttock depends on how much can be sourced from the patient during the liposuction. Generally, between 200 and 400cc’s of pure fat in each buttock is commonly agreed as a popular amount as any more than that you can be at risk of compromising the body’s ability to make a new blood supply leading to a larger percentage of fat dying, or lumpiness or hardness in the buttock.
The Procedure
The whole BBL procedure takes around 3 hours, depending on where and how many places liposuction is required to get the required amount of fat. Once the fat is sourced from the patient, it is then prepared, transferred into syringes and then re-injected into the buttocks.
Recovery involves patients sleeping on their front or side (without placing pressure on the buttock area) for the first 4 – 6 weeks so the transferred fat can find a new blood supply and survive. You also need to adjust your sitting position in order not to put pressure on your buttock region.
As with any liposuction, for 1 – 2 weeks after the procedure you may be a little bruised and sore. There is also a chance that because not all the fat survives, a revision procedure may need to be done at six or twelve months to balance the aesthetic outcome.
Risks and Complications
Generally, modern day surgery is considered safe. Approximately one-third of patients who receive an anaesthetic during surgery will experience “anaesthesia sickness” or post-operative nausea and vomiting (POVN).
There are a number of risks and complications that come hand in hand with undergoing a general anaesthetic. By law, these will be discussed with you both in your consultation and just prior to you going into surgery.
The risks and complications that come with having buttock augmentation can include infection. Infection of the implant itself is extremely rare, however can happen and can cause scar tissue to form around the implant, constricting the implant and can usually be resolved with a course of antibiotics. However, if the infection continues, it may result in the implants having to be removed.
Swelling is always a possibility when having a Brazilian butt lift. Swelling is caused by tissue damage, consequently causing the surrounding tissue to leak and cause swelling. It is painful but usually goes down after a short while. If it persists then you will need to seek the advice of your surgeon.
Pain is another complication due to the amount of layers of muscle that have been cut through in order to place the implants, which will cause some pain. This can be managed with pain relief, which your surgeon will prescribe for you.
FAQ
Q. There are a number of plastic surgery procedures, which require the patient to wear a compression garment; will I have to wear one for this surgery? A. Generally yes, you would be required to wear a compression garment for a few days after the surgery. This will help to support the implant and to keep the swelling down.
Q. How long do I have to wait before I can go back to work and complete strenuous activities after my surgery? A. After having a Brazilian butt lift it is advised that you should have up to a week off work. However, with regards to strenuous activities and exercise, this cannot be conducted for up to two months after the surgery. There is a lot of damage to the buttock area that needs to be healed completely after this procedure.
Q. How long does the Brazilian butt lift last for? A. The results from this procedure are in fact permanent if you have had buttock implants however, if you have only had fat transferred into your buttocks then this may not last as long and can be affected by an increase of weight, loss of weight and ageing. If this does happen, then the surgery should be followed up with a course of injections.
