If you are thinking about a Brazilian butt lift (BBL), you may be thrilled with the idea of combining liposuction with butt augmentation. This popular procedure removes fat from your belly, sides, or thighs, and injects it into your buttocks for a larger, curvier rear.
However, it’s essential to consider as much information as you can before undergoing a BBL, including how much fat you need for the procedure.
BBL Overview
A Brazilian butt lift procedure removes fat from an area resistant to diet and exercise, such as the abdomen. Next, the fat is washed, processed, and injected into the buttocks with a cannula.
The surgeon will slightly overfill each buttock with fat because some of it will die during the procedure. But don’t worry; your body will eliminate the dead fat cells over a few weeks.
The procedure has several advantages. First, it’s a ‘two-for-one’ procedure that removes fat from a problem zone and injects it into your rear.
Second, while a BBL is a surgery, it’s not as invasive as butt implants, so the recovery is shorter.
Third, BBL is a natural procedure that uses your own fat, so the results look completely natural.
You also can have other procedures with a BBL for even more impressive results, such as a Houston tummy tuck.
How Much Fat Is Required For BB?
The amount of fat needed for a Brazilian butt lift depends on several factors:
- The preference and technique of the plastic surgeon
- The patient’s body and proportions
- How much fat is available for harvesting
- How much fat survives
- The outcome you desire from the BBL
For patients who only want minor changes to the shape and size of their rear, a small amount of fat may be sufficient.
However, the patient needs much more fat available if they want dramatic results. Typically, patients need about one liter (1000cc) of harvested fat for a dramatic BBL result. Some surgeons recommend transferring between 200ccs to 800ccs of fat per buttock.
Patients should remember that at least 25% of the transferred fat will die after it’s transferred. But the surgeon will keep this in mind when determining how much fat to harvest from the donor site.
During your initial BBL consultation, the surgeon will examine your body and determine roughly how much fat is available. Then, they’ll tell you how much fat can probably be transferred and how your butt will look after surgery.
Most surgeons will not remove more than 5,000 ml or 11 pounds from the donor sites in one procedure regarding liposuction.
Being Too Thin For BBL
Fortunately, most patients have sufficient fat stores for a successful Brazilian butt lift. Most fat is harvested from the thighs, abdomen, or flanks. But a few very thin patients may not have enough fat for BBL surgery.
In this situation, the best option may be silicone butt implants. First, however, your surgeon will check your body to see if the BBL can still be done. Popular spots for fat grafting on thin patients include the lower back, love handles, arms, and inner thighs.
Some thin patients might wonder if it will help[ to gain weight for BBL surgery. Unfortunately, while gaining weight may sound like a good idea, it isn’t encouraged by competent surgeons.
The transplanted fat cells can shrink if you lose weight, so you need to do all you can to maintain the same weight after surgery. After a Brazilian butt lift, you may reverse your results if you lose weight.
Recovering From BBL
If you follow all your surgeon’s post-op instructions, the recovery should be relatively short. You will experience the most discomfort and swelling in the first 10 to 14 days. There will also be some numbness and bruising, but these side effects should fade after a few weeks.
Your surgeon may give you a prescription to reduce your pain, and you’ll need to wear a compression garment over your rear and fat donor sites for about two weeks. Doing so reduces swelling and bruising, so it’s essential to wear the garments as much as possible.
It will take at least six to eight weeks before you will see most of your BBL results. Unfortunately, it takes that long for most of the swelling to recede, but the wait is worth it.
Post-Surgery Tips For Best BBL Results
After a Brazilian butt lift, the transferred fat will need a few weeks to settle in and develop its blood supply. It’s critical during this period to follow your surgeon’s instructions, so as much fat survives as possible.
First, you should sit or lie on your butt as little as possible for the first two weeks after the procedure. While it sounds hard, it’s possible not to sit on your rear for two weeks!
Put a pillow under your thighs and around your butt, so you aren’t putting pressure on your buttocks. Also, try sitting or lying on your side to keep weight off your healing buttocks.
Second, you should avoid intense exercise for eight weeks after BBL surgery. Fat-burning exercise may affect the transferred fat. After all the time and expense, the last thing you want is to burn off the fat in your curvy rear, right?
Third, your weight must be stable before having a BBL. Gaining or losing weight after the procedure can affect your results.
Request a Houston Brazilian Butt Lift Consultation
Interested in a BBL n Houston? Please set up a consultation with Dr. Ashley Steinberg today. She’ll talk to you about the benefits and risks of a BBL to determine if it’s a good fit for your needs.
References
BBL Overview. (2021). Accessed at https://aedit.com/procedure/brazilian-butt-lift
About BBL. (2020). Accessed at https://www.verywellhealth.com/brazilian-butt-lift-purpose-5085904
