BBL 101: All You Need To Know About Brazilian Butt Lifts7 min read
Aesthetica Editorial Team
Like many people, if you’re looking forward to the summer sunshine and beaches, you’re probably working to achieve the perfect summer body. Naturally, one of the most commonly targeted areas for a summer body is the buttock. However, working out can only get you so far.
For some patients, the Brazilian butt lift is the perfect way to achieve a more voluminous posterior. At Aesthetica, we offer Brazilian butt lifts to help you fulfill your summer body dreams!
What Is a Brazilian Butt Lift?
A Brazilian Butt lift (BBL) augments the posterior by injecting the patient’s own fat into the region. First, your plastic surgeon will conduct liposuction in a body area with excess fat, such as your abdomen, flanks, thighs, or arms. The fatty tissue will then be reinjected into your buttock, giving it a fuller and more defined appearance.
What Is the BBL Procedure Like?
The Brazilian butt lift procedure takes 1-4 hours, depending on your specific goals. You will undergo the procedure under general anesthesia.
Your plastic surgeon will use liposuction to suck away the excess fat from the designated area. Because the entire process requires a substantial amount of fatty tissue, your plastic surgeon will remove 3-5 cups of fat from your body.
This fat will then be purified before it is reinjected into your buttock. During a typical Brazilian butt lift, the upper section of your posterior will receive the most amount of fat, the middle less.
Finally, your plastic surgeon will stitch your liposuction and Brazilian butt lift incisions closed. You will then be moved to a recovery room until discharged later that same day. You will need to arrange for a friend or family member to take you home on the day of the surgery and care for you during the first 24 hours post op.
What Risks Are Involved in a BBL Procedure?
Brazilian butt lifts have earned a rather infamous name in the plastic surgery community over the past several years. Although many of the concerns behind this tainted reputation have been resolved, there are still risks involved in the BBL procedure.
Because the posterior has numerous blood vessels, the fat must be injected very carefully — if injected into your bloodstream, it can clog your blood vessels, a condition known as fat embolism. This condition is severe and can be fatal.
Plastic surgeons have altered their surgical technique to majorly reduce the risk of fat embolism in the Brazilian butt lift procedure. As a result, BBLs are now no more dangerous than a tummy tuck or similar procedure.
BBL vs. Implants: What Is the Difference?
Because BBLs come with risks, some patients wonder if silicone implants are a better option. However, if the concern is safety, Brazilian butt lifts are safer than silicone implants.
Silicone implants are risky because they can press on the nerves leading to your legs. BBL results will also look and feel more natural than silicone implant results. Thus, BBLs are an overall better choice for many patients than silicone implants.
What Are the Benefits of a Brazilian Butt Lift?
There are many lasting benefits to receiving a Brazilian butt lift. The procedure will provide patients with a more contoured, larger posterior. BBLs are also safer than other procedures designed to augment the buttock, including silicone implants. In addition, the procedure will yield natural, long-lasting results, which will boost your self-esteem!
- Curvier body
- Enhanced body symmetry
- Fuller or firmer behind
- Increased self-esteem
- Youthful appearance
Am I the Ideal Candidate for BBL?
Because BBLs have a higher risk factor than other procedures, plastic surgeons carefully select their ideal patients. The perfect BBL candidate will be in optimal mental, physical, and emotional health. In addition, they will have realistic expectations about the results of their BBL while managing stable body weight.
Patients with heart disease, diabetes, or depression should not proceed with the surgery, as these conditions can all increase the risk of complications. The perfect BBL candidate will also need to have enough fat for liposuction to be performed.
Are BBLs for Men, Too?
Brazilian butt lifts represent a cosmetic option for men, too! Just like the traditional Brazilian butt lift, the male BBL can increase firmness, fullness, symmetry, and contour. However, to align the goals of the BBL with the male physique, the male Brazilian butt lift aims to provide a more square look to the posterior, matching men’s flatter, less curvy hips.
A surgeon may adapt the BBL to men by avoiding injecting fat into the hips. This approach will prevent an undesirable curvy appearance in men. So, while the aesthetic goals of a BBL in men are slightly different from those in women, this procedure is still very applicable to men.
What Does BBL Recovery Time Look Like?
You will return home the same day after your BBL procedure. First, however, preparing your home for your recovery stage is essential. Make sure you have a nice, relaxing area set up with books to read or movies to watch, as well as plenty of blankets and pillows.
Because the injected fat has to bond with the rest of your body, you must avoid disturbing it as much as possible. Refrain from sitting on your buttock or putting pressure on it, as it will increase the amount of fat that does not bond with your body. This risk will taper off around three months after the surgery.
Ideal BBL Aftercare
Your BBL recovery will look similar to recovery from a liposuction procedure. You will wear compression garments on all areas that receive liposuction. In addition, you will have to avoid sitting on the treatment area for the first two weeks. After these initial weeks, you will use a special pillow for sitting for brief periods.
You will experience higher levels of pain and discomfort during the first few days of recovery. In addition, your posterior may be swollen or bruised. Take any medication prescribed by your plastic surgeon, or take over-the-counter medications if none were prescribed. Your pain levels should decrease after 1-2 weeks.
You can return to work 10-14 days after the procedure. We recommend using a standing desk if you have a job that requires you to sit for long periods. In addition, you should schedule a follow-up appointment 1-2 weeks after your actual BBL operation. During this appointment, your stitches will be removed.
How To Sleep After BBL
Sleeping after a Brazilian butt lift will be the most challenging part, especially if you prefer sleeping on your back. You will need to sleep on your stomach or side while recovering since these positions do not put pressure on your posterior.
This also means you should not combine a BBL and a tummy tuck. The tummy tuck surgery requires you to sleep on your back, but the BBL requires you to sleep on your side or stomach. Because these two surgeries conflict with sleeping positions, it is wise to develop individual plans on when to receive each treatment.
How Long Does a BBL Last?
Brazilian butt lifts provide long-term results you can count on for years to come. Although the results are temporary, it will be several years before you need any follow-up appointment to preserve your BBL. Your results will last even longer if you maintain a consistent weight.
What Does a BBL Look Like After 10 Years?
Most Brazilian Butt Lifts will last close to a decade. With that in mind, your initial BBL results gradually fade away a decade after the procedure.
However, Aesthetica happily offers follow-up appointments so that you never have to worry about losing your hard-earned and beautiful posterior! Choosing a Brazilian Butt Lift is a great way to boost your confidence and spring into summer ready for the bathing suit season. Here at Aesthetica, we want to help you do just that — fashion a body that fits your perfect aesthetic!
Take Your First Step Toward a New You After a BBL With Aesthetica!
Meet us at 19500 Sandridge Way, Suite 350, Leesburg, VA 20176, or call us at (703) 574-4342 for a complimentary consultation with Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Phillip Chang before moving forward with your procedure! If everything matches up, our team will help you navigate the entire process, from beginning to end! Also, remember to check out our blog and social media for more information on plastic surgery and plastic surgery trends!
Let Us Help You!
Our office can provide you with helpful information, schedule a free consultation, and walk you through the many services and procedures we provide.
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