In order to explain the longevity of the results of a Brazilian butt lift (BBL), it’s important to understand what the surgery is, how it’s performed, and the factors that impact how long the results can last.
The Brazilian butt lift is actually not a lift at all — but rather a technique that transfers fat from other areas of the body to the buttocks in order to shape, contour, and augment the gluteal region.
Because this technique was popularized in South America, and mainly Brazil, it is now widely known as the Brazilian butt lift.
This procedure was developed in the early 1980s when plastic surgeons were looking for a better, natural way to add volume to the buttocks without the complications associated with buttocks implants.
The complications that could arise with buttocks implants were that they could become infected, they moved and shifted inside the body, and typically did not look natural.
By developing the Brazilian butt lift, surgeons could now give patients the results of a buttocks augmentation with the added benefit of shaping and sculpting other areas of the body where the fat is harvested from.
BBL Technique
BBL surgery begins with the liposuction. Fat is harvested from many different areas of the body — typically from the abdomen, back, waist, and hips. Fat can also be taken from the arms and thighs.
The fat is captured using a filtration system which allows the fat to be purified and washed. This purified fat is then injected with special cannulas (vacuums) into the gluteal area.
The technique used to inject fat is extremely important. The fat must be placed in the fatty layer just under the skin above the gluteus muscle. It is critical not to inject fat into the gluteus muscle to avoid complications such as a fat embolism.
The BBL has recently increased tremendously in popularity with over 24,000 procedures performed in 2018 and increasing about 20% per year since then. One of the main reasons for the recent popularity is that you can achieve natural, full, and aesthetically pleasing results with this technique.
How Much of the Fat Will Actually Take?
When a fat cell is transplanted from one part of the body to another it must be in contact with healthy tissue and have a good blood supply to survive.
That’s why it’s inevitable that some of the fat transferred to the buttocks during a BBL will not take. You can expect to lose about 20 to 25% of the fat transplanted during the procedure, which is why most surgeons will try to overfill an area in order to compensate for the anticipated fat loss.
There is, however, a limit to how much fat can be transplanted during any given procedure. Trying to overfill the buttocks or add too much fat during a BBL may lead to loss of fat and other possible complications such as fatty cysts, contour deformities, or damage to the skin.
How Long Do BBL Results Last?
A Brazilian butt lift is a semi-permanent procedure, because the nature of the body’s fat is also semi-permanent. Over time, as weight fluctuations and aging occur, the buttocks will change.
How well patients take care of their body after surgery can greatly influence how long results last.
If surgical directions are followed, patients can enjoy the natural results of their BBL for decades.
What Can You Do to Improve Your BBL Results?
To ensure that the results of a BBL are as natural and successful as possible, it’s important to not put direct pressure on the surgical site for the first two weeks of recovery.
Patients must sleep on their stomach. If this isn’t possible, patients can sleep on their back if a pillow is placed on their lower back and behind their thighs to reduce direct pressure on the buttocks.
Other ways to improve the overall results of a BBL are:
- Use a compression garment as indicated by your doctor. This will help the swelling go down and improve the shape and contour of not only the buttocks, but also the waist and all areas where the fat was harvested.
- Eat a healthy diet and avoid foods that contain a lot of sodium, because they may make you retain water.
- Don’t smoke and also avoid secondhand smoke. Smoking interferes with the body’s ability to heal, decreases blood supply, and can negatively affect the results of a Brazilian butt lift.
- Wait at least four to six weeks before resuming strenuous efforts or exercises.
Contact Us for Brazilian Butt Lift Consultation
To schedule a consultation with specialized breast and body plastic surgeon Dr. Alain Polynice, contact us today.