A Brazilian butt lift (BBL) is a surgery performed to contour the shape of the buttocks, add volume, and lift the area. Knowing what to expect throughout the surgical process, the recovery period, and beyond is vital.
People often ask, “Is a BBL permanent?” In most cases, the results of your Brazilian butt lift are semi-permanent. Due to the fact that your fat cells change over time, it’s impossible for your procedure to deliver a truly permanent outcome. However, you can realistically expect to maintain 60-70% of the fat transferred into your buttocks for many years when you take the proper steps to maintain your results. Brazilian butt lift results can potentially last for decades without the need for a follow-up treatment.
In recent years, the Brazilian butt lift has experienced a tremendous surge in popularity. Over 24,000 people had this procedure performed in 2018, representing a 19% increase from the previous year. One of the main reasons this has become the preferred buttock augmentation option is due to the use of your own fat, providing a truly natural augmentation method.
The Brazilian butt lift utilizes a fat transfer procedure to enhance the size and shape of your buttocks. Liposuction is performed to harvest fat from a donor region, such as the abdomen, back, or thighs. This fat is purified before being strategically injected into your buttocks at varying locations and depths in order to achieve your desired outcome.
In addition to improving the appearance of your buttocks, the procedure delivers secondary body contouring benefits to the donor area. Dr. Chiaramonte can use the liposuction procedure to help you achieve a more contoured, balanced, and attractive figure.
During the first few weeks after your procedure, you will lose approximately 30-40% of the volume added during the fat transfer procedure. This is natural, and Dr. Chiaramonte is able to plan for this by carefully overfilling the buttocks during your fat transfer. This will allow you to achieve your desired outcome even though the entire amount of fat isn’t retained.
While it is normal only to retain 60-70% of the fat transferred during your Brazilian butt lift, you must take the proper steps during the initial recovery after BBL surgery to ensure you retain as much of this fat as possible.
After surgery, you will need to avoid sitting directly on your butt for 2-3 weeks. This will allow the fat cells to settle properly, ensuring you retain as much of this fat as possible. To alleviate pressure on your butt, we recommend that you sit on a special air cushion during this initial butt lift recovery period. You should also sleep on your side or stomach instead of your back for several weeks.
After a Brazilian butt lift surgery, you will need to have bed rest for approximately three weeks. You will be provided pain medication to help make the recovery process more comfortable, and it may help to have a caretaker during your first week of recovery.
You will have to wait at least two weeks after your procedure to drive your vehicle. In some cases, patients may be required to wait longer. This is particularly true for patients who might occasionally feel weak or dizzy in recovery.
The first several days after your procedure will usually be the most challenging. You may experience swelling and bruising, which can cause some discomfort. You may also experience some bleeding at the incision sites. After a few days, the initial pain will subside, and the recovery process will get easier. It is vital to follow your doctor’s recommendations to ensure the best possible recovery.
In addition to avoiding sitting on your butt, you should take the following steps after surgery to maximize the duration of your Brazilian butt lift results:
By taking several steps to preserve the results of your surgery, you can expect to continue seeing results from your BBL after 10 years. This is comparable to silicone implants. However, in contrast, a BBL uses your own body fat to improve the volume, appearance, and texture of your buttocks, which ensures more natural-looking results.
If you are interested in a Brazilian butt lift, Bella Cosmetic Surgery is here to help. Our board-certified surgeons have more than two decades of experience helping patients achieve the body transformation results they desire. We always provide quality and compassionate care at every stage to patients, ensuring they remain comfortable and aware of what to expect before, during, and after their procedures. You can reach out to our Oxon Hill, MD, office by calling 301-567-6767 to schedule an appointment.