When it comes to people who have lost volume in their behind—or were simply born without that volume to begin with—the Brazilian butt lift is a procedure that is growing in popularity.
Whether you’re lacking volume due to weight loss, aging, childbirth, or genetics, the experts at Kitto Plastic Surgery can help you achieve the shape you want. Read on to learn more about the reasons, risks, and benefits of the Brazilian butt lift before scheduling your consultation.
What Is A Brazilian Butt Lift?
A Brazilian butt lift is an effective cosmetic procedure that adds volume and contour to one’s rear end. This surgery takes excess fat from other areas of the body, filters it, and transfers it to the butt to improve its shape and size.
Unlike artificial options like dermal fillers—which should not be used for this procedure—Brazilian butt lifts use the body’s own fat for a more natural appearance compared to procedures that use implants.
How Is The Procedure Performed?
Like a wisdom tooth extraction, the Brazilian butt lift is an outpatient procedure, meaning you’re in and out in the same day. This bbl surgery is usually completed with the help of general or local anesthesia for pain management.
The first step of this surgery involves liposuction, or the collection of fat from other areas of your body (typically from the thighs or stomach). The surgeon will perform this step through small incisions.
Next, the collected fat is purified—separating healthy and unhealthy fat cells so that only the most optimal fat is inserted back into your rear end. Once inserted, the fat is shaped into place, sutured, and wrapped in compression garments to hold shape and reduce the risks of bleeding.
Who Can Get A Brazilian Butt Lift?
Surgery of any kind is inherently risky, especially so when doctors work near major arteries and nerves. To that end, the prime candidates for Brazilian butt lifts are people who are in good relative health with a healthy weight.
Please note that “healthy weight” is represented differently in different people, meaning it may be carried more heavily in some areas and less heavily in others. Your doctor will advise on your potential for the procedure.
One of the most common concerns for this procedure is the patient’s smoking history. If you currently smoke, your surgeon will likely ask you to quit before your procedure takes place. Additionally, you may be told to hold off on smoking for weeks afterward to sidestep any complications in the healing process.
Other concerns include patients on blood-thinning medication, pregnant patients, or people without enough fat elsewhere in the body that can be used for the procedure. If your medical history includes any other potential roadblocks, discuss those conditions with your surgeon before scheduling the surgery.
Risks & Recovery Time
As we mentioned earlier, surgery of any kind is inherently risky. It’s important to understand those risks, as well as the recovery process, before signing up for any surgical procedure—especially ones like the Brazilian butt lift.
Recognizing the Risks
Unlike non-invasive injections such as Botox and dermal fillers, Brazilian butt lifts involve invasive surgical tools to remove and restore body fat. This procedure comes with a handful of “typical” side effects, such as bruising, swelling, numbness, and pain.
However, due to the invasive nature of the procedure, there are other associated risks including blood clots, necrosis, deep vein thrombosis, and fat embolisms—which occur when injected fat moves into the bloodstream and travels to the lungs.
When done properly, this procedure is safe. When performed by unqualified surgeons, however, who may re-insert fat directly into the muscles, the results could be disastrous.
For these reasons, we strongly encourage prospective patients to work with a board-certified plastic surgeon when considering Brazilian butt lifts.
Reviewing the Recovery Time
You will notice swelling and asymmetry in your rear end immediately following surgery. This is normal and will subside in due time. Recovery time varies, but you should feel like you’re “getting back to normal” about two weeks after your procedure.
We recommend patients rest and sleep on their stomachs for two weeks following the surgery. If you have to sit, use a specialized pillow to minimize the pressure placed on your rear end.
Additionally, after the initial healing process, we recommend patients stand as much as possible during the day to help the fat adjust to gravity. When followed, these instructions will help your body retain its newfound voluminous shape.
Generally speaking, if proper care is taken, your Brazilian butt lift can last several years or even decades.
Considering a Brazilian butt lift? Contact our office to schedule your consultation today! OR Call us at 804-294-1777.