How Long Does a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) Last?

A Brazilian butt lift (BBL) is a cosmetic procedure that involves the transfer of fat from one part of the body to the buttocks to help create more fullness in the backside and improve esthetic appearance. The procedure can also help address certain issues such as the sagging and shapelessness of the buttocks that can occur because of aging.

Unlike other forms of buttock surgery, a Brazilian butt lift does not use implants such as silicone buttock implants and uses the individual’s fat. Hence, a Brazilian butt lift provides more natural results, and the procedure is safe because it doesn’t involve implanting a foreign body. Brazilian butt lifts have a lower risk of infection and reactions than silicone buttock implants.

The results of a Brazilian butt lift can last several months to years. Initially, more than one procedure may be needed to achieve desirable results. It can also take up to 6 months to see full results from the initial procedure.

A Brazilian butt lift may be ideal for those who:

• Have lost the natural shape of their buttocks because of age or weight fluctuations.
• Don’t feel comfortable in their clothes.
• Have enough fat reserves in other parts of the body such as the thighs and abdomen for grafting.
• Are nonsmokers (smoking can delay wound healing).
• Have a healthy body weight and would continue to maintain their weight after the procedure.
• Don’t plan to get pregnant because pregnancy can cause fluctuations in weight, affecting the results of the procedure.
• Lead a healthy lifestyle overall, which includes regular exercise and a healthy diet.
• Haven’t had any recent infections or complications related to the surgery.
• Don’t tend to develop scarring or keloids.
• Have realistic esthetic goals.
• Want natural results, without much change in their structure or ability to wear clothes comfortably.
• Do not have any serious underlying medical conditions.

A Brazilian butt lift is a fat grafting procedure that involves the transfer of fat from one part of the body to the buttocks. The surgeon performs the procedure under anesthesia; hence, there will be no pain while performing the procedure.

• It may be done under local anesthesia or sedation.
• The surgeon first uses liposuction to remove fat from areas of the body that have high-fat content such as the lower back, stomach, and thighs.
• The surgeon makes small incisions on the skin to perform liposuction.
• The fat extracted from the body is purified and readied to be injected into the buttocks.
• The surgeon then injects the processed fat through small incisions into specific areas of the buttocks to create a more rounded, fuller, and lifted look.
• They make three to five incisions around the buttocks for fat transfers. The incisions are closed with sutures (stitches) and bandaged. The incisions are small and generally heal well.

After the procedure

Patients can generally go home the same day after surgery.

• Pain, swelling, and bruising may be there for 1-2 weeks.
• Painkillers and antibiotics may be prescribed.
• It may not be possible to sit on the butt for 2 weeks following surgery because of postoperative pain and discomfort.
• Patients have to sleep on their side or stomach until the surgical wound heals.
• It can take up to 2 weeks to completely recover.

A Brazilian butt lift is generally safer with fewer risks than other cosmetic buttock surgeries such as silicone buttock implants.

Although rare, some possible complications of the procedure include:

• Infection
• Scarring
• Pain
• Lumps under the skin in the areas suctioned or injected
• Loss of skin in the treated areas due to deep infection
• Fat embolism (fat dislodges into the blood vessel), which can travel to the heart or lungs and be fatal
• Reaction to anesthesia

A Brazilian butt lift (BBL) is not a simple procedure. This procedure is more complicated because there are so many factors to consider. Every BBL uses fat grafting to get the desired results, but it can be challenging to transfer fat from one site in the body to another. To conduct a BBL safely and successfully, your surgeon must have years of training and expertise. 

However, because of the high price and rise in demand for BBLs, many people are trying to cut costs and look for low-cost options. As a result, individuals become victims of untrained doctors and may have several post-surgery issues. BBLs have a high risk of complications because this popular procedure is sometimes performed by inexperienced and untrained doctors. You should always confirm that your surgeon is board-certified and has expertise in BBL surgery to avoid complications. 

One of the most common issues with BBL, when performed by unskilled personnel, is when fat is injected too deeply into the muscle, it can enter the circulation, potentially leading to deadly consequences. Fat embolization of the heart and lungs due to poor BBL techniques has led to mortality in many people worldwide.

The desire for a bigger bottom is growing in popularity, with the number of so-called Brazilian butt lifts (BBLs) tripling in the previous five years. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), BBL has the greatest fatality risk of any cosmetic treatment. The ASPS has issued an urgent advisory due to an increased incidence of deaths.

• According to a 2017 article in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 1 to 2 out of every 6,000 BBLs ended in death, making it the deadliest cosmetic surgery procedure at the time.
• Some nations have advised against doing the surgery at all (although it is not banned). The cost of BBL is cheaper in foreign countries than in the United States.
• Despite the efforts of a special international task group to standardize the performance of BBLs, an alarming number of fatalities have been documented. 
• The ASPS has issued an urgent warning to surgeons who undertake the procedure, citing a death risk of 1 in every 3,000 people, significantly higher than any other cosmetic surgery.

However, according to a new study published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal, new suggestions (such as having the surgeon insert the fat between the muscle and skin rather than inside the muscle where the major blood vessels run) have resulted in a considerably reduced fatality rate of roughly 1 in 15,000. This data is still being examined, but because the surgery now has these new, possibly safer standards, it is important to discuss any new adjustments with your doctor.

Several factors can assist you in having a safe Brazilian butt lift (BBL) and lower your risk of problems and severe adverse effects.

Research about BBL

• You must do research and gather all accessible information about it. This involves understanding everything there is to know about BBL risks and potential side effects.

Qualified doctor for your BBL surgery

• BBL is a difficult procedure that requires specialized expertise to conduct. As a result, you must locate a licensed surgeon. To locate a skilled surgeon, it is critical to question the surgeon about their expertise with BBL and seek internet evaluations of their performance.

Pre-surgery lab tests

• Before the operation, you must undergo lab tests recommended by your doctors to ensure that you are in good enough health for this cosmetic surgery.

Discuss with your doctor your underlying health condition

• You must inform your surgeon of any illnesses and medications you take. Knowing this information allows your surgeon to provide you guidance on how to avoid potential issues.

Avoid smoking and alcohol

• Smoking and drinking may harm the procedure. It is advised to refrain from smoking and alcohol for a few weeks before and after the procedure.

Perhaps the hazards exceed the advantages in the instance of the BBL. Despite the hazards, the operation remains popular in a celebrity and beauty-oriented society. As a result, surgeons must make the hazards of the treatment extremely obvious to anybody contemplating it. Patient safety should always come first, and surgeons must be prepared to improve procedure safety and reduce the needlessly high death rate.