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Procedures Body Brazilian Butt Lift

Brazilian Butt Lift

Procedures Body Brazilian Butt Lift

The Brazilian butt lift, also known as a BBL or buttock augmentation with fat grafting, is one of the fastest-growing plastic surgery procedures today. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports that over 21,800 Brazilian butt lifts were performed in 2020 — an increase of over 200 percent compared to two decades ago! 

At Umansky Plastic Surgery, Jeffrey Umansky, MD and William Umansky, MD treat patients of all ages and body types seeking out this procedure. A BBL allows us to work with your own body fat and avoid the use of implants, providing a more natural look and feel while eliminating the complications associated with gluteal implants. Our surgeons prefer this technique for buttock augmentation. 

If you are interested in Brazilian butt lift surgery in the La Jolla-San Diego area, please contact us to schedule a consultation.

What Is a Brazilian Butt Lift?

A Brazilian butt lift is a type of buttock augmentation surgery (gluteoplasty) performed without implants. 

The name is a misnomer, however, since a BBL is not technically a lifting procedure. Buttock augmentation with fat grafting (transfer) is a better way of describing what a BBL is all about. During a BBL, the plastic surgeon removes undesirable fat from other areas of your body and transfers it to your buttocks, essentially addressing two areas of concern at once. In other words, a BBL not only makes your buttocks more shapely, it also slims and contours other areas such as the abdomen, flanks, or thighs.

A BBL procedure combines liposuction with fat grafting to achieve a better shaped lower body. It is an outpatient surgery performed under general anesthesia or IV sedation with local anesthesia. Although it achieves great results as a stand-alone procedure, a BBL can be combined with breast implants and a tummy tuck for comprehensive body contouring. 

Why Have a Brazilian Butt Lift?

If you are dissatisfied with the size, shape and general appearance of your buttocks, you may want to consider this procedure. A BBL can help you achieve the following cosmetic goals: 

  • Increase fullness, roundness and projection of the buttocks
  • A better balance between upper and lower body
  • An hourglass shape figure
  • A flatter tummy and a smaller waistline

The fat transfer technique is a great alternative to buttock augmentation with implants because implants carry a greater risk of infection. A BBL also tends to achieve more natural-looking results and a better feel than implants. 

Why Have a Brazilian Butt Lift?

If you are dissatisfied with the size, shape and general appearance of your buttocks, you may want to consider this procedure. A BBL can help you achieve the following cosmetic goals: 

  • Increase fullness, roundness and projection of the buttocks
  • A better balance between upper and lower body
  • An hourglass shape figure
  • A flatter tummy and a smaller waistline

The fat transfer technique is a great alternative to buttock augmentation with implants because implants carry a greater risk of infection. A BBL also tends to achieve more natural-looking results and a better feel than implants. 

Am I a Good Candidate?

Most relatively healthy adults with realistic expectations are candidates for a BBL. We frequently perform this procedure on patients of different ages and body types. However, there is a key minimum requirement for this procedure: excess body fat. 

Ideal candidates are those with a normal or slightly elevated body weight. You need to have enough body fat to harvest from one or more areas and transfer to the buttocks to make this procedure work. If you do not, we may recommend alternatives that would work better in your case. 

Surgeries involving fat grafting may be contraindicated in some patients, notably those with disorders of lipid metabolism, coagulation disorders, and severe chronic diseases. 

In this outpatient procedure, generally done under heavy sedation, the small liposuction incisions are closed with sutures. The fat is injected by very small instruments into the buttock and sutures are not required for the transfer areas. The skin is then taped, and a compression garment is placed.

How Is a Brazilian Butt Lift Performed?

A BBL is a procedure done on an outpatient basis under anesthesia. The procedure is performed in two main steps. 

  1. The surgeon first performs the liposuction. Small incisions are made in the skin to insert a thin tube called a cannula into the fat layer. The tube suctions with the help of an aspirator. The fat is collected into a sterile container, processed and purified, and then transferred to syringes.
  2. The purified fat is now ready to be grafted into specific areas of the buttocks. The surgeon places the injections strategically to create a smooth and round appearance and maintain flattering proportions. 

The goal is to transfer more fat than may seem necessary. The reason for this is that your body will reabsorb some of the transferred fat during recovery, and the final results will be less dramatic once healing is complete. 

Brazilian Butt Lift

How It Works

Fat Removal

Fat is removed using liposuction, usually from the flanks, abdomen or thighs. The aspirator creates negative pressure to suction fat from these areas through a thin cannula.

Fat Preparation

Fat is collected in sterile containers. Using state-of-the-art techniques, the fat is isolated and prepared for injection into the desired areas of the buttock.

Selecting Areas

Injection areas are pre-determined based on a detailed analysis of the patient’s pre-operative anatomy and desired outcome. This is usually done during the consultation, and the areas are confirmed on the day of the surgery.

Closing Incisions

The incisions from the liposuction are closed with stitches and covered with surgical tapes.

Fat Injection

The fat is injected into the buttock through thin cannulas. No incisions are needed for this step, and therefore no sutures are required.

Procedure Finalization

The skin is taped, and a compression garment is placed. The patient is moved to the recovery room to be monitored while waking from anesthesia.

What Is the Typical BBL Recovery?

Patients are encouraged to get up and move around as soon as possible after surgery to promote blood flow. Since the BBL is an outpatient procedure, you will be ready to go home as soon as your vitals are normal and you feel well enough. You should arrange for someone to drive you home and take at least two off work. 

You will need to wear a compression garment for two to four weeks to control swelling, especially at the liposuction sites. Pain, swelling, and bruising are normal immediately after surgery. Pain and bruising should resolve within one to two weeks. Some swelling may linger for up to six months. Patients can usually resume normal exercise in two weeks or less. You will need to avoid lying down on the buttocks for the first few months.

You may notice your buttocks look a little larger than expected. This usually changes once the final results are achieved.

Risks and Complications

As with any surgery, there are risks and complications associated with the BBL. However, there are fewer risks associated with this procedure than with using implants to augment the buttocks.

Possible complications may include:

  • Swelling and bruising
  • Numbness and pain
  • Bleeding
  • Contour irregularities
  • Fat embolism – avoidable with current techniques

Brazilian Butt Lift Alternatives

The BBL is only one way to enhance the buttocks and lower body. Other options to consider include:

Buttock Implants

Implants are sometimes a good alternative for patients who desire large buttocks but do not have excess fat for harvesting. Buttock implants are silicone-filled medical devices that are placed under the gluteus muscles to achieve a natural appearance. 

There are significant risks associated with buttock implants, including infection and extrusion. For these reasons, the surgeons of Umansky Plastic Surgery do not perform buttock enhancement with implants, as patient safety is their number one priority. 

Lower Body Lift or a Thigh Lift

Patients who have excess skin and significant buttock or thigh sagging may benefit from excisional operations such as a lower body lift or a thigh lift. These procedures reposition and tighten sagging skin and fat in the lower body to give you a more toned appearance. 

Autologous Augmentation Gluteoplasty With Dermal Flap 

This procedure adds volume and lift to patients who have significant sagging and volume deficit in the buttocks area. The procedure involves making incisions above your buttocks to remove excess fat and skin and adding a skin flap to provide volume.

Liposuction 

Liposuction of the flanks, inner thighs and abdomen may be enough to give you the silhouette you desire. Patients with a curvy figure but with excess fat around the abdomen and thighs can have liposuction to achieve their desired body contour.

Women who wish to get a complete body transformation can also consider breast lift, breast augmentation, or breast reduction procedures in conjunction with a BBL.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is this procedure called a Brazilian butt lift?

Tracing the origins of this moniker is difficult. Voluptuous and shapely buttocks are synonymous with women of Brazil, so the procedure is thought to have gotten its name from the goal it achieves. Others believe the procedure got its name because it originated in Brazil, with Dr. Ivo Pitanguy being its pioneer surgeon. 

Is a Brazilian butt lift safe?

When performed by a skilled and accredited plastic surgeon like the Drs. Umansky, a BBL is a safe procedure. The Multi-Society Task Force for Safety in Gluteal Fat Grafting issued an Advisory Statement in 2018 advising plastic surgeons on how to minimize serious adverse events. At Umansky Plastic Surgery, we follow all recommended safety precautions during BBL and all our procedures. 

Does a Brazilian butt lift hurt?

A BBL is an invasive surgical procedure that usually needs to be performed under general anesthesia. You will not feel anything during your procedure; however, some level of discomfort and soreness is normal following surgery. You may feel soreness in your buttocks as well as the liposuction treatment areas. Pain medication, sleeping on your side or stomach, and using pillows while sitting can help you feel more comfortable during recovery.

How long does a Brazilian butt lift last?

Typically, whatever fat remains after a year will likely be permanent. Shifts in body weight can change results over time, but most patients retain their new contour for many years down the line. Maintaining a healthy weight and exercising will help you keep your BBL for longer.

What happens to my new buttocks if I lose weight?

Changes in weight can cause changes in the fat that has been transferred. Donor sites can also be affected. Therefore, it is best to be at your desired weight prior to surgery and maintain that weight after surgery. If weight fluctuations occur following a BBL, these areas may change proportionately. 

Can I get a Brazilian butt lift if I’m skinny?

If you are underweight or on the lower end of normal weight ranges, you may not be a good candidate for a BBL. We may recommend a more limited BBL to you as an alternative. 

How much does a Brazilian butt lift cost in San Diego?

The costs of this procedure vary depending on a combination of factors. Our staff is happy to provide an estimate based on the specific areas being treated. We accept all major credit cards and offer different financing options to patients in the San Diego area.

Before & After
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Other Options to Choose From

  • Buttock Implants: a relevant alternative for patients who desire large buttocks and do not have excess fat. However, there are significant risks associated with buttock implants: infection, extrusion and other complications associated with this procedure. For these reasons, the surgeons of Umansky Plastic Surgery do not perform buttock enhancement with implants, as patient safety is their number one priority.Individuals who have excess skin may need excisional operations such as a Lower Body Lift or a Thigh Lift.
  • Autologous Augmentation Gluteoplasty: A portion of the patient’s own tissue is used to shift volume into the buttocks
  • Liposuction (of the surrounding areas): includes the flanks, inner thighs and abdomen — is essential in the overall re-contouring of the silhouette and buttocks in many patients. Individuals who choose this procedure must have some areas of excess fat to allow for harvest.
  • As well, women who are seeking a complete body transformation may wish to consider Breast Lift or Breast Augmentation procedures.