Brazilian Butt Lift
Brazilian Butt Lift or BBL is a cosmetic surgery procedure that transfers fat from another area of the body into the buttocks to enhance their shape and size.
Fat is typically harvested from the abdomen (stomach), hips or thighs using liposuction and grafted into the buttocks to added roundness, or increase lift and projection of the buttock area, usually in women, but men can choose to have the operation too. This method of buttock enhancement does not use any artificial silicone implants; the procedure uses autologous fat from your own body.
The procedure involves the initial harvesting of the fat cells using liposuction from the donor area(s); the suctioned fat is then processed to extract only the yellow fat cells into a syringe ready for re-injection, (this removes any other liquid or blood gathered as part of the liposuction procedure). The second procedure places the fat into the buttocks, the recipient area, through re-injection.
The aim of the procedure is to naturally enhance the buttock shape, creating a more rounded appearance (sometimes called a bubble butt), or increase the size of the cheeks where volume has been lost in the gluteal area. This is achieved without the need to place a silicone implant or use soft tissue, temporary dermal filler products. Some women and men prefer the concept of a more natural result, using their own fat, which is a 100% natural product, rather than inserting something artificial.
The exact buttock augmentation cannot be guaranteed because the transplanted fat must settle and develop a blood supply to survive in its new location. Inevitably, a proportion of the cells will perish and be reabsorbed by the body (metabolised) as part of the process, (this is expected and usually the quantity transferred it a little more than required to account for a percentage loss in fat cells). You may often be advised to have a repeat procedure to build up the augmentation, allowing each fat transfer to integrate, or if the resultant bottom size is not as desired.
The benefit of fat grafting is that there are fewer risks from complications that effect implant-based augmentation such as capsular contracture, rejection of the implant, or future rupture. By using autologous fat, a cellular material that can develop, change, and perish over time, the results achieved are more natural, but they may not be as long lasting as an implant, especially as the area experiences much pressure from sitting.
Improving the overall size and shape of the buttock can have positive effects on self-esteem, confidence, and perceptions of attractiveness, particularly in those who feel that they have lost their shapely bottom over time or due to significant weight loss. The use of fat allows for direct placement of the material in the areas need to add volume and definition to achieve the desired shape, size, and curvature of the buttock cheeks.
Treatment cost
Price From* After consultation the doctor will confirm the cost.
Treatment Summary at a glance
Up to 4 hours
One
General
Pain, swelling, bruising and tightness to the bottom.
Increase in size and shape of the buttocks.
Permanent
After 1-2 weeks
2 months
How does it work?
Fat is first harvested from your donor area(s) using liposuction; these are usually the stomach, hips, and thighs as these are the main fat stores in women, men may find that their abdomen is their most suitable donor area. The liquid extracted from liposuction includes the fat cells, blood, and tumescent anaesthetic fluid which is used to make it easier to flush out the fat using a cannula. This is filtered, and the fat cells essentially washed to ensure only pure, yellow fat cells are transferred into the buttock.
The fat is grafted into the buttock via injection and can be placed exactly where needed to augment, define, and contour the bottom as desired and discussed during your consultation. This level of bespoke augmentation also allows for the delicate correction of asymmetries or targeted placement in areas of concern and volume loss to reconstruct the buttocks.
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FAQ's
Your suitability for a Brazilian butt lift will be assessed by our surgeon who will decide if you are the correct candidate for the procedure. A full medical history will also be taken to make sure that there are no contraindications for you to have the procedure, such as any medication that you may be taking, underlying health conditions, your wound healing history, or past surgeries.
In general, most women are suitable for buttock enlargement with fat, if they are in good health, and there is adequate fat in the donor areas for harvesting.
All the potential risks from BBL surgery will be discussed during your consultation.
Pregnant and breast-feeding women are not suitable for surgical procedures.
The liposuction and fat transfer for BBL surgery will be performed using general anaesthesia so you will not feel the procedures.
As the procedure involves two distinct operations – the liposuction and fat transfer to the buttock – the whole operation takes a little long. It can take 2-4 hours to perform depending on the extent of each part and the amount of fat being grafted.
Due to the nature of this procedure, which includes intervention in two areas of the body, you can expect bruising, swelling, pain (tenderness and soreness) in both the donor area where fat was harvested and in the recipient area in the bottom where the fat was grafted. Any pain and discomfort post-surgery can be managed with over-the-counter pain medication or medicines prescribed by our surgeon.
You will be required to wear post-surgery compression garments to support both donor and recipient areas to aid healing, reduce swelling, and assist with settling and integration of the newly placed fat cells. These will likely to be in the shape of cycling shorts and must be worn 24/7. Swelling in the buttock can last up to 6 weeks so results can be deceptive initially. You will not be able to sit for at least 2-3 weeks post-surgery, instead resting and sleeping on your side or stomach. You will be given advice on how to avoid damaging the newly transferred fat cells until the area has healed.
Eventually you will move to using a special pillow when sitting to avoid pressure on the buttocks. You will be able to sit normally again after approximately 2 months.
Once swelling has subsided, you will get a better idea of the amount of fat (permanently) remaining and the final size and shape of your new buttocks. At this point, you and your surgeon can decide if future grafting may be required once completely healed.
You should expect to take at least 2 weeks off work, depending on the type of work you undertake. Light daily activities can be resumed after a fortnight.
You will be advised to avoid strenuous exercise, sexual intercourse, or swimming for a minimum of 6 weeks, and driving for up to 2 months due to the medical implications of sitting as well as the validity of your vehicle insurance.
Full recovery is expected in 2 months.
The final appearance of the buttocks can take 6 months as the body needs time to remodel the tissue, establish a healthy blood supply to the fat, and for it all to settle into place. It is important to follow aftercare advice (including support clothing, sitting, and sleeping positions) to optimise the remodelling of your buttock and to avoid excess pressure which can adversely affect the result. You should maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle.
The results of the procedure are regarded as permanent, due to the transfer of your own fat cells. Thus, it should last a lifetime. However, this permanency cannot be guaranteed as fat cells can grow and shrink so the result is reliant on your body weight, thus the enhancement could fade if you go on to lose a significant amount of weight, have a sedentary lifestyle with lots of sitting, or perform exercises that have an adverse effect on your buttock tissue and muscles. Ageing also influences the size and shape of the bottom. You may therefore decide to have another surgery in future.
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