The Brazilian Butt Lift (or BBL) is the best way to get a backside to be proud of. Using a combination of liposuction and fat transfer, a BBL is safe and very effective. It is one of the fastest-growing cosmetic procedures in the United States.
Typical Timing/Age
25-60 years old
Problem
Small buttock, deflated buttock and/or poor buttock and lower body contour. If the problem is excess abdominal skin and subcutaneous fat that continues around the back, a belt lipectomy or lower body lift may be a better solution.
Procedure
A Brazilian butt lift is a fat transfer procedure that enhances the size and shape of the buttocks naturally, without implants. Excess fat is typically removed from the hips, abdomen, lower back, or thighs with liposuction, and is then injected into the buttocks.
Goal
To improve buttock shape and lower body contour.
Facility
Hospital
Preparation
Patients should be at a stable weight, healthy, nutritionally-replete with good protein stores and avoid any nicotine-containing substances. Patients should also be prepared for an inconvenient recovery period.
Anesthesia
General anesthesia
Recovery
Hospital stay
This is outpatient surgery. An overnight hospital stay is usually not required.
Positioning
After a Brazilian butt lift is very important to avoid pressure on your butt. The fat grafts survive best with minimal outside pressure and squishing. Moreover, pressure in certain areas and not others could create an irregular contour. For one week after a Brazilian Butt Lift, you will need to avoid lying on your back or sitting. This means for 1 week you have to lie on your sides, lay on your stomach or stand. The only time it is ok to sit is when you are on the toilet. It can be difficult to avoid lying on your back while sleeping so most patients create walls with pillows to help prevent them from rolling over. After 1 week you may sit with your buttock suspended in the air. This means placing a towel, pillow or cushion under your thighs (not your butt) to suspend your buttock in the air. After 4 weeks you may start laying on your back and sitting normally.
Assistance
You will need someone to help take care of you after surgery as you will not be able to lift children, heavy items, etc.
Walking After Surgery
You are encouraged to walk around the house as much as possible to help reduce the risk of DVT and thromboembolism.
Showering
After 48 hours you should remove your dressings and take a shower.
Exercise
2 weeks for brisk walking or light jogging. 4 weeks for regular exercise.
Sex
Wait 4 weeks.
Work
1-2 weeks depending on your type of work.
Swelling
Can persist for 3-6 months
Bruising
Usually subsides after 2-3 weeks.
Follow-up Appointments
Your doctor will schedule your post-operative appointments according to your treatment plan.
Risks & Complications
Hematoma, Seroma, Infection, Asymmetry, Numbness, Thromboembolism, Contour irregularities, Fat emboli, Need for revision, Complications related to anesthesia.
Performed by: Dr. Butler, Dr. Leveque, Dr. Patterson
*Cosmetic Surgery National Data Bank: Statistics 2013. (2014). Aesthetic Surgery Journal / the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 34(1 suppl), 1S-22S.doi:10.1177/1090820X14542571
