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) or buttock enhancement surgery has become such a hot cosmetic surgery. But many patients now ask, Why is BBL So Dangerous? 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 understand all aspects of the procedure, including potential risks. At Dr. Steinberg’s practice, patient safety and education always come first.
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.
Risks of Brazilian Butt Lift Surgery and Fat Grafting Safety
Modern brazilian butt lift surgery relies heavily on fat grafting as a key body contouring technique. However, this brazilian butt lift procedure can involve serious complications if fat injections are not performed correctly. During the bbl procedure, surgeons must carefully determine how much fat and excess fat is fat injected, because improper grafting fat near major blood vessels or into the muscle belly of the gluteal muscles increases the risk of fat embolism, including pulmonary fat embolism.
Research shared by plastic surgery societies and published in the aesthetic surgery journal shows that the bbl mortality rate is higher than many other cosmetic surgery procedures. This elevated mortality rate is often linked to inadequate training among some cosmetic surgeons who lack formal education in plastic and reconstructive surgery. While butt implants and buttock implants were once common options, modern gluteal fat grafting focuses on safer outcomes through improved surgical techniques, including ultrasound guidance, to support a safe brazilian butt lift.
When compared to combination procedures such as a tummy tuck, standalone buttock enhancement using fat grafting requires even greater precision. Repeated fat grafting, excessive fat injections, or poor technique can significantly raise the risk of fat embolism and overall mortality rate, especially in high-volume brazilian butt lif bbl cases involving large amounts of excess fat. This carefully planned fat grafting procedure highlights why experience and strict safety protocols are essential for protecting patients.
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 results and 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.
FAQs: Why is BBL So Dangerous?
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.
What happens if a BBL goes wrong?
A BBL can go wrong when the brazilian butt lift procedure is performed without proper training or safety measures. Poor fat injections or incorrect fat grafting techniques can lead to serious complications, including fat embolism, which is why surgeon experience is critical.
Will I have visible scars after a BBL?
Most patients have minimal scarring after brazilian butt lift surgery because the procedure relies on liposuction and fat grafting rather than large incisions. Any small scars are usually well hidden and tend to fade over time with proper aftercare.
Why has the Brazilian butt lift become so popular?
The Brazilian butt lift is popular because it enhances curves using the patient’s own excess fat, creating natural-looking body contouring results. Unlike butt implants, gluteal fat grafting allows surgeons to sculpt both the waist and buttocks in one procedure.
How much does a BBL usually cost?
The cost of a BBL depends on factors such as the surgeon’s experience, the complexity of the bbl procedure, and the amount of fat grafting required. Choosing a qualified, board-certified surgeon may cost more upfront but helps reduce risks and improve long-term results.
Request 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.
