In an era in which social media stars, bloggers, and beauty vloggers have all become household names, more and more people are considering the possibility of a new look as a way to boost their brand.
So what is the latest trend hitting the industry? The “Brazilian butt lift,” or BBL, is a procedure that has become one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries in which fat is injected into the buttocks to make them appear rounder and firmer.
Although it remains a niche procedure, BBL surgery has proven wildly popular among celebrities, beauty gurus, and everyday women alike.
As demand for BBL continues to grow, so too do its risks. If you are considering getting BBL surgery, read on to learn more about what it involves, potential risks, and costs.
What Is BBL Surgery?
BBL surgery is a procedure that involves the volume of fat transfer, during which a person’s fat cells are harvested and injected into their buttocks to make them appear rounder and firmer.
This allows plastic surgery patients to get the same “booty boost” from a traditional butt lift procedure without requiring them to go under the knife and with less recovery time.
The traditional surgery involves removing fat stores from the patient’s back, abdomen, or thighs and transferring it to their buttocks through liposuction.
In contrast, the BBL procedure injects fat from other body areas, such as the belly, hips, or thighs, into the buttocks to generate density.
The procedure can also involve liposuction in the areas from which the fat is removed, followed by injections of the fat into the buttocks. BBL surgery can be performed under general anesthesia as an outpatient procedure.
The BBL Procedure
Brazilian butt lift surgery is typically an ambulatory treatment conducted underneath a general anesthetic.
The surgeon eliminates fat from your lower body using liposuction; the collected fat stores are then processed and implanted into precise locations on the buttocks to obtain the desired appearance and size. Pain is often minor, and tenderness may be present, but pain medication is rarely required.
Within 10 to 14 days after the surgery, you should be able to resume light daily activities and employment.
However, you will be unable to sit, lie down, or place direct pressure on your buttocks for approximately two weeks. Instead, you must sleep on your stomach and perform daily activities on your stomach, kneeling, or standing.
After a few weeks, your surgeon will give you the go-ahead to sit in a modified position with a “donut” seat or pillow beneath your thighs to alleviate pressure on your buttocks. Roughly eight weeks after the operation, you can typically return to sitting without limitations.
How Can I Determine If I Am a Worthy Choice for BBL Surgery?
Generally, anyone who wants to enhance the shape and contour of their buttocks is a good candidate for a BBL.
However, it’s essential to keep in mind that Brazilian butt lift surgery is not a quick fix, and it’s not suitable for everyone.
You should also avoid Buttock Lift surgery if you have an active infection or are pregnant, have a recent history of cancer, have been diagnosed with diabetes, or have been taking steroids, blood-thinning medications, or insulin.
In addition to diet and exercise, genetics influence the size and shape of a person’s physique. Some individuals are genetically predisposed to have a flat posterior, and surgery is the only way to develop broader and more rounded buttocks.
In contrast to butt implants, which are silicone-filled and inserted in the buttocks, a Brazilian butt lift uses your own fat to restructure your buttocks for a more natural appearance and feel.
BBL Recovery
During BBL surgery, fat is removed from one area of your body and injected into your buttocks. A larger wound is created during fat transfer compared with a smaller incision that is made during a traditional butt lift procedure.
Because of this, BBL recovery may take longer. Typically, patients who undergo BBL surgery spend two to 10 days in the hospital, followed by two to four weeks of recovery at home.
During recovery, your doctor may recommend wearing compression garments, applying cold compresses to your incisions, and walking around to help decrease swelling and pain.
Anticipate discomfort, inflammation, and a sense of oppression in your buttocks and thighs. You may also experience numbness, tingling, and cramping in your legs as your nerves heal.
BBL surgery can cause other side effects, including infection, blood loss, blood clots, back pain, pain in the area where fat was removed, and an allergic reaction to the anesthesia used during surgery. In rare cases, patients who undergo BBL surgery have died from complications.
Is BBL Surgery Safe?
BBL surgery is generally a safe procedure, but it does come with certain risks. While the majority of people who get BBL surgery experience few complications, many patients develop infections or have excessive swelling.
Patients who have BBL surgery also have an increased risk of blood clots, blood vessel tears, blood loss, nerve damage, and bleeding.
BBL surgery can also affect your immune system, potentially making you more susceptible to infection. Additionally, patients who undergo BBL surgery may develop stretch marks around their thighs and buttocks as a result of the extra fat that is injected into their bodies.
Can You Work Out After a Brazilian Butt Lift?
Not only should you be working out in order to maintain the new shape of your body following BBL surgery, but you should also be doing so before the procedure to ensure that you have enough fat to harvest for your injections.
It is ideal to have a body fat percentage between 16 and 22 percent before having BBL surgery. Once you have reached that ideal body fat, you can begin accumulating the fat that will be transferred to your buttocks during BBL surgery.
Some people mistakenly believe that they can eat a high-fat diet to increase the amount of fat in their bodies, but that isn’t the case.
The amount of fat that we consume isn’t able to be easily converted into fat that we can then store in our bodies.
Conclusion
If you’re considering BBL surgery, know it’s best to do your research and speak with a qualified, experienced surgeon first. BBL is an extensive surgery that, if not performed appropriately, has the potential to create severe health complications.
Insurance companies do not reimburse the cost of BBL treatment because it is cosmetic surgery. That means that the price of the surgery will fall on the patient.
Before booking an appointment, ask your surgeon about their credentials and experience with BBL surgery and get a breakdown of the surgery costs ahead of time
BBL surgery is not a quick fix, and it’s not suitable for everyone.
You should also avoid BBL surgery if you have an active infection or are pregnant, have a recent history of cancer, have been diagnosed with diabetes, or have been taking steroids, blood-thinning medications, or insulin.
If you are still interested in this field after reviewing this article, don’t hesitate to contact us for further information.