Brazilian Butt Lift

A Brazilian butt lift is an increasingly popular cosmetic procedure. A Brazilian butt lift increases the size and shape of your butt while removing fat from other areas of your body. Candidates should be in good physical and mental health and have realistic expectations.

What is a Brazilian butt lift?

A Brazilian butt lift (BBL) is a procedure that improves (augments) the look of your buttocks in addition to removing fat from other parts of your body (liposuction).

However, a Brazilian butt lift isn’t a traditional “lift” procedure like a facelift or breast lift despite its name. A Brazilian butt lift adds volume to and improves the shape of your butt, but it won’t improve sagging or excess skin. If you have sagging or excess skin, talk to your healthcare provider about a butt lift.

Doctors called plastic surgeons perform Brazilian butt lifts.

What does a Brazilian butt lift do to your body?

During a Brazilian butt lift, a doctor called a plastic surgeon will remove fat deposits from other parts of your body and insert them into areas around your butt. After you’ve recovered, your butt will be bigger, stick out more and have an even shape (symmetrical). The areas of your body that had fat removed will have smoother body contours (shapes).

Who is a good candidate for a Brazilian butt lift?

Getting a Brazilian butt lift is a personal decision. Pursuing your wants and desires for your body can be very empowering.

To be considered for a Brazilian butt lift, you should:
- Be finished developing.
- Be in good physical health.
- Have realistic expectations.
- Have enough excess body fat available in other parts of your body to transfer to your butt.
If you don’t have enough excess body fat available, you may be a good candidate for butt implants.

How long does a Brazilian butt lift last?

The effects of a Brazilian butt lift are semi-permanent. They should last several years and may even last for over a decade without any follow-up treatments. However, your body changes as you get older, which can affect your results over time. To preserve the effects of your Brazilian butt lift, you should maintain a consistent weight.

What happens before a Brazilian butt lift procedure?

You must be at least 18 years old to get a Brazilian butt lift. However, your body is unique — you may not complete puberty until you’re older than 18. If you haven’t finished developing, the results of your Brazilian butt lift procedure may be affected. Discuss any questions or concerns you have with your healthcare provider.

Your healthcare provider will assess many factors, including your mental health and any social conditions. Your healthcare provider may ask you the following questions:

Why do you want a Brazilian butt lift?

What are your expectations?
Do you think a lot about imagined or very small defects with your body?
Is a spouse, partner or friend encouraging you to get a Brazilian butt lift?
Are you aware of the risks involved in a Brazilian butt lift procedure, including fat embolisms?

Your physical health and the shape of your body are also important. Your healthcare provider will examine the following regions to determine the best place(s) to perform the fat harvesting via liposuction:

- Lower back region.
- Hips.
- Inner thighs.
- Outer thighs.
- The space between your tailbone, sacrum and rectum (presacral triangle).

What happens after a Brazilian butt lift procedure?

After the Brazilian butt lift procedure, your healthcare provider will wrap your affected areas with a compression band to reduce bleeding. If you’re receiving general anesthesia, your anesthesiologist will stop putting anesthesia into your body to keep you asleep. You’ll move to a recovery room, where healthcare providers wait for you to wake up and monitor your overall health.

Once you wake up, you may feel dazed, and your affected areas may feel sore. Your healthcare providers will continue to monitor your overall health for up to several hours. Once they determine that you no longer need monitoring, they’ll discharge you (let you go home). You must have a family member or friend drive you home and take care of you for at least the first 24 hours after your Brazilian butt lift procedure.

It may take up to six months for your body to fully recover after your Brazilian butt lift procedure. During this time, you may have to eat a high-protein diet to assist your healing. This will help you maintain your new shape. You may also have to incorporate lower body exercises that focus on your butt, including leg lifts, lunges and squats.

What are the advantages of a Brazilian butt lift?

There are many advantages to a having Brazilian butt lift when performed by a qualified and experienced plastic surgeon:

- The procedure is safer than other surgeries, including silicone butt implants.
- The effects look natural.
- The effects can last a long time.
- It can boost your self-esteem.
- Your clothes may fit better or more comfortably.

What is the recovery time?

The first several days after your Brazilian butt lift procedure are often the most painful.

Your butt may be swollen and bruised.
Your incisions may bleed slightly.
You may retain fluid around your affected areas.

To manage pain, some people take either a prescribed pain medication or OTC acetaminophen. If you’re taking a prescription pain medication, it’s a good idea to have a family member or friend help take care of you because you shouldn’t drive. As always, discuss your allergies and complete medical history with your healthcare provider.

After one to two weeks, your pain should decrease. You may have to wear a compression garment around the areas that were liposuctioned. In some cases, you may need a temporary drain in the incision to remove excess blood or fluid.

You won’t be able to sit or lie down on your butt for at least two weeks. So, you’ll need to stand rather than sit and sleep on your stomach or sides.

After several weeks, you may be able to sit for short periods of time on a specially designed pillow that evenly distributes pressure. You won’t be able to sit without your pillow for approximately eight weeks. At this point, you may be able to participate in light exercises. However, you should avoid heavy lifting or strenuous activities for one month.

Your body should fully recover between two and three months after your Brazilian butt lift procedure.

It’s important to remember that your body is unique, so recovery times may vary. Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions on how to manage your pain and discomfort throughout your recovery.

When can I go back to work?

Depending on your job, you should be able to go back to work between 10 and 14 days after your Brazilian butt lift procedure. If you usually sit at a desk for long periods, it’s advisable to use a standing desk until you’ve completely healed.