In a time when Kim Kardashian and Beyoncé are popular, the female hourglass figure with high, full buttocks is in vogue. That’s why the Brazilian butt lift (BBL) has become such a hot cosmetic surgery. Sometimes the BBL is done with a mommy makeover, but some patients choose to do the butt lift as a standalone body transformation procedure.
If you’re considering a Brazilian butt lift, it’s wise to know everything about it, including whether there are any dangers to the procedure.
Brazilian Butt Lift Overview
A BBL is a fat transfer procedure that uses your fat cells from another body area and places it in your buttocks. Your surgeon performs liposuction on your belly, sides, or hips to improve those contours.
Then, some of the harvested fat is carefully injected into the buttocks. Fat transfer also can be performed in a breast augmentation if you don’t want to go up more than about one cup size.
Your surgeon will purify and prepare the fat for transfer, then they carefully inject the fat into certain areas of the buttocks. The result is usually a fuller, rounder bottom.
This technique has replaced silicone butt implants because of higher safety, faster BBL recovery, and more customizable results with the BBL surgery.
However, a Brazilian butt lift can also have complications, so your surgeon must expertly understand the intricacies of this fat transfer procedure.
Transferred fat Overview
Sucking fat from one part of your body and injecting it into your buttocks sounds simple. However, the BBL surgery is a complicated procedure that takes great skill and experience to do safely and competently. Also, your surgeon needs to have a deep understanding of human anatomy for the best BBL results.
The demand for this aesthetic plastic surgery is high, so some surgeons who aren’t specially trained in the Brazilian butt lift have been offering it at low prices. But non board certified plastic surgeons using questionable methods have led to some fatalities during BBLs across the world. That’s why complications for the Brazilian butt lift are higher than for other elective cosmetic procedures.
In addition to standard safety precautions and hygiene, there are several factors your surgeon should consider for a safe procedure:
- How many fat cells can be removed safely with liposuction
- The exact places where the injected fat needs to be placed
- How deep the fat cells are injected
- The amount of fat to inject, given the fact that some amount of the injected excess body fat will be absorbed by the body.
Many people assume the buttocks are mostly fat, but there are many vital structures and muscles there that can be damaged with poor technique. Your buttocks contains many nerves and blood vessels that if injured, could lead to a fat embolism. Another example is that fat should only be injected into the subcutaneous space of the buttocks and never deeper.
Injecting fat into the muscle or too deeply is hazardous and can lead to fatal complications. Some cases exist where fat was injected too deeply and led to fat embolization in the lungs and heart.
Getting A Brazilian Butt Lift Safely
While a BBL does have a higher complication rate than other procedures, there are thousands of happy patients every year who have excellent results with fat grafting. To be one of them, you should know how to look at your upcoming elective cosmetic procedure.
First, remember that no BBL is the same as another. Everyone’s body is different, and the varying layers of muscle and fat in the buttocks mean what was safe for your neighbor could be dangerous for you. That’s why the intricacies of this procedure must be expertly understood by your surgeon.
That’s why it’s vital to work with a board-certified plastic surgeon who has successfully done many BBLs in the recent past. Your surgeon should know the safe limits of the procedure, know the latest safety standards, and be completely open about what you can expect from the procedure.
Finding A Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon With Experience in BBL
When you choose your surgeon, check if he or she is board-certified from the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
Keep in mind that it is legal for any type of surgeon in the US to do any type of reconstructive surgery in their office or facility. Also, not all surgeons who call themselves ‘cosmetic surgeons’ have been board certified by either or both of the above organizations.
Next, ask your plastic surgeons how many BBLs he or she has done in the past year or two. Can the surgeon give you a list of patient reviews, before and after pictures, and testimonials?
Also, check if your surgeon does procedures in a facility that is accredited by the Joint Commission, AAASF or AAAHC. These accredited facilities must meet the highest standards for cleanliness, safety, equipment, and life-saving emergency readiness.
Remember to check the surgeon’s online reviews for Brazilian butt lift surgery so you can get a good idea of how the surgeon works. Never stop with just a few testimonials; you should look for at least eight or 10 excellent testimonials from past BBL patients.
Last, avoid low-budget BBLs, especially ones that are done in other countries. Other nations don’t have the rigorous plastic surgery regulations that the US has. Many BBL patients that go abroad for their procedure have disastrous results that leave them scarred and damaged for life.
It’s likely that you’ll have excellent results with your BBL, as long as you do your research on the surgeon and do all of your homework. In the end, it’s worth doing your due diligence before having a major plastic surgery procedure.
Questions & Answers
How dangerous is a BBL surgery?
The Brazilian Butt Lift procedure does carry notable risks. As per a recent report from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, BBL surgery is associated with a mortality rate of approximately 10 in 30,000 cases, making it the most lethal among all cosmetic procedures.
What are the long term side effects from a BBL procedure?
Although uncommon, potential long-term risks can encompass asymmetry, alterations in skin sensation, dissatisfaction with the cosmetic outcome, and fat necrosis, which is the death of fat cells that have been relocated. Regular follow-up appointments are essential for detecting and addressing any such issues in a timely manner.
How many years can a BBL last for?
The outcomes of a Brazilian butt lift are considered semi-permanent, typically lasting several years and potentially extending beyond a decade without the need for additional treatments. Nevertheless, the natural aging process can lead to changes in your body that may influence the longevity of your results over time.
Request a Houston Brazilian Butt Lift Consultation
Interested in a Brazilian butt lift Houston? Please set up a consultation with Dr. Ashley Steinberg today. She’ll talk to you about the benefits and risks of the procedure to determine if you’re a good candidate for a BBL.
References
Brazilian Butt Lift Safety. (2019). Accessed at https://www.healthline.com/health/brazilian-butt-lift#
Are Brazilian Butt Lifts Safe? (n.d.). Accessed at https://www.americanboardcosmeticsurgery.org/cosmetic-medicine/are-brazilian-butt-lifts-safe/
