The popular cosmetic procedure known as the Brazilian butt lift (BBL) is rapidly increasing in popularity in the United States. In fact, they are one of the fastest-growing cosmetic trends of the last two decades. BBL surgery is available at Burt and Will Plastic Surgery and Dermatology in Burr Ridge, IL.
The size and shape of the butt are important factors in a good looking, well-formed body. Many people are now turning to BBL surgeries to achieve the highly sought-after hourglass figure. When performed by a certified and experienced surgeon, you will experience great results that last a long time. Our cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Tripti Burt, will use specialized fat transfer techniques to help you achieve a fuller, rounder, shapelier backside.
Is This Permanent?
Often the first question people ask regarding a Brazilian butt lift is whether or not the procedures are permanent. And while we would love to tell you it is 100% permanent, it is a bit more complex than a simple yes or no answer.
However, the short answer is yes. A successful BBL will last an exceedingly long time. But there are many factors that can affect the permanence of your BBL. Keep reading to learn more.
What Is a Brazilian Butt Lift?
For those that aren’t familiar with exactly what a Brazilian Butt Lift is, it is a specialized fat transfer surgery that enhances the size and shape of the buttocks without the use of artificial implants such as silicone. To put it in simpler terms, a BBL is a procedure that takes fat from other areas of your body and transfers this same fat into your buttocks.
It is also important to note that contrary to its name, a BBL is not a traditional “lifting” procedure. This means that it does not tighten loose skin on the butt. Anyone who is bothered by excess skin in these areas should instead look into thigh and buttock lift surgery, as this may be a more suitable option.
Why Should I Consider a BBL?
A Brazilian Butt Lift is appealing for several reasons. Aside from the obvious allure of a larger and shapely behind, it simultaneously removes unwanted fat from those other areas of your body to then be used in the injections back into your body. This gives a more natural look and makes it so you don’t need to have a foreign, potentially harmful implant injected into your body.
Fat injections have a lower risk than other substances, such as silicone caulking and sealants. Sometimes, these are injected illegally into patients’ buttocks by “surgeons” who are not qualified to perform the surgery.
Our licensed cosmetic surgeon can improve the overall look and feel of the entire lower body with BBL surgery, helping you to lose fat in those unwanted areas and enhance the look and feel of the butt. It’s basically liposuction and a buttock reshaping procedure all in one!
The Procedure
The procedure has a low risk for complications and can achieve incredibly natural-looking (and feeling) results.
Although we briefly touched on this earlier, a BBL consists of fat grafting that is renowned for its natural-looking results. The procedure involves these five steps:
1) Sedation
The procedure is usually performed under general anesthesia or intravenous (IV) sedation as well as local anesthesia. In procedures where a smaller percentage of fat is transferred, it may be done with only local anesthesia.
Ask for anti-nausea medication beforehand if anesthesia typically makes you ill.
2) Fat Removal
Our surgeon then removes fat from the abdomen, hips, thighs, lower back, or other areas with a low trauma fat harvest (liposuction). Liposuction itself is done by making incisions in the skin and then removing the fat from the body using a tube.
3) Fat Purification
The fat that has just been removed from your body is purified and prepared for transfer via injection into your buttocks.
4) Injection
Our surgeon finishes by injecting the purified fat into specific parts of the buttocks to improve shape and volume. Around three to five incisions are made around the buttocks for fat transfers.
5) Stitching
The fat harvest and fat transfer incisions are then closed up using stitches. Our surgeon will then apply compression against the affected areas of the skin to minimize any risk of bleeding.
And that’s it for the procedure itself! A properly done BBL will result in about 60-75% survival of the fat transferred. It may also be worth noting that this surgery is usually performed as an outpatient procedure, which means the patient will not be required to stay overnight and can go home shortly after the procedure is finished.
It is also typical for a portion of the injected fat to reject its new location, but our skilled cosmetic surgeon will take this into account and may inject a slightly greater amount of fat into the behind as needed initially to make sure the final result is most closely aligned with your desired look.
Aftermath
A Brazilian butt lift procedure permanently changes the shape of the pelvic frame, waist, and buttocks in a positive way. Only about 60% to 75% of the fat injected into the buttocks survives long term. But this is patient-dependent.
Initially, the swelling of your buttocks may or may not appear firm after surgery. This is a result of the surgery and it will soften over time during the recovery process. Eventually, you will lose around 40% of your initial volume. Don’t worry: this is completely normal, and your surgeon will know to overfill to compensate for this loss.
Your butt will begin to produce additional fat cells, which will cause an increase in volume. Everything should stabilize in three to six months. Again, it should go without saying that the results of a BBL will vary from patient to patient. This also depends on the level of care given by the patient to the buttocks after surgery.
How Long Will It Last?
Surely, by now you are thinking, “this is all well and good, but since it is my fat being injected, does it last?” This is, without a doubt, our most common question. And it is a great question. So, let’s get right into it.
When done properly and healed correctly, the results can last many years. In short, a Brazilian butt lift is a semi-permanent procedure. This is because the nature of your fat is also semi-permanent. But what does that mean? That means that over time your buttocks will change as a response to the normal aging process. This is to be expected, regardless of weight loss, weight gain, exercise, and diet.
Determining exactly how long a BBL will last is dependent on how well you take care of your body after your surgery. Our high-quality liposuction and safe fat transfer are key, but there are also many things you can do to ensure a long-lasting outcome after your procedure.
Follow the Doctor’s Orders
It is imperative that you follow your doctor’s directions. We are licensed experts and know what’s best for your recovery. Your doctor will more than likely advise that you not sit directly on your buttocks for two weeks. This involves driving, working from a desk, and laying on your back when sleeping. After two weeks, your doctor may recommend a cushion for sitting on or a compression garment to be worn.
Cushions, pillows, and compression garments help reduce swelling, reduce the risk of infection, keep skin smooth, and allow for your buttocks to heal faster while retaining their new shape.
Diet
Aside from limiting pressure on the area after surgery, try to avoid a bad diet that can cause fat to decrease. Fat cells are attracted to a certain type of fat, so eating “healthy” fats can speed up the recovery process and gives those fat cells a greater chance of surviving.
Exercise
Diet and exercise go hand-in-hand. Exercising regularly as well as eating a balanced diet will extend the life of your butt lift. It will also help with the shaping of your buttocks.
No Smoking
It is also a good idea to not smoke cigarettes as cigarettes inhibit the nutrients and oxygen in your bloodstream, making the recovery process take longer and minimizing the chances of your fat cells surviving in their new home.
Lasting Effect
A successful operation and the healing process can result in years if not decades of a healthy, natural-looking body. But it really comes down to taking care of your body during the recovery process. If done correctly, your results can (and will) span decades.
As with any fat transfer, there is always a chance that a small amount of the fat cells may die after they are transferred. This is both normal and expected. Naturally, with aging, the skin becomes looser and more relaxed. But certain things can be done to take better care of the skin.
Of course, diet and exercise are vital for a healthy and long-lasting post-op shape. Eating right and exercising regularly will help the skin age gracefully. Regarding exercise, our bodies use the stored fat in our body for energy. Sometimes, the body may take stored fat from the buttocks, but this will not affect the shape or perkiness of your butt.
Will the BBL Require Additional Procedures?
If the above advice is followed correctly, a single Brazilian butt lift procedure will last for decades without needing any additional procedures. With that being said, some patients do decide to have another procedure later in life to correct sagging that comes with the natural aging process; this is completely optional, though.
Other patients may opt for skin tightening procedures in order to maintain their results. As stated earlier, all of this depends on how well you take care of your body during the weeks, months, and years after your initial procedure.
Get the Body You’ve Always Dreamed Of
Dr. Tripti Burt is a highly qualified, American Board of Plastic Surgery certified surgeon. Having a certified cosmetic surgeon is the first step in ensuring satisfactory results. Done properly, a Brazilian butt lift procedure and recovery is extremely predictable and successful.
While the BBL is a popular procedure, it may not be right for everyone. Be sure to schedule a consultation with us about your health history as well as your desired outcome. We may recommend the BBL or something else based upon the information you provide.
If you are ready to take the next step, visit the Burt and Will Plastic Surgery and Dermatology website, or come down to our office in Burr Ridge, IL for a consultation today. We can’t wait to help you achieve your body goals.