The Brazilian butt lift (BBL) is getting more popular; the American Society of Plastic Surgeons or ASPS reports a 30% increase in the bbl procedure between 2014 and 2015.
The BBL is a plastic surgery procedure that uses liposuction to remove fat from one part of the body and transfer it into the buttocks. Women often have excess fat cells removed from the stomach, thighs, and waist, resulting in better contours in those areas.
This results in a rounder, more lifted rear that is more popular in our society today.
If you are thinking about a Brazilian butt lift surgery, below are essential Brazilian butt lifts recovery tips to know.
Post-Surgery BBL Recovery Process
After the Brazilian butt lift procedure, there are a few bbl recovery tips that should be helpful. You can expect fluid retention and bruising in the areas that received liposuction. You can manage the bbl recovery pain with pain medication, but you should try to switch from prescribed narcotics to Tylenol before driving.
Every patient has a different bbl recovery timeline, but you can expect in your initial recovery to be walking around about a day after your Brazilian butt lift procedure. Be sure to avoid any heavy lifting during this intial recovery time as well.
You will have sore buttocks for several weeks after the bbl procedure. That’s why you should avoid sitting down much or sleep on your back after BBL for a while. But if you follow your plastic surgeon’s recovery period instructions, you should be able to sit again without a special pillow after six weeks.
Compression Garment
Your surgeon will probably give you some compression garments to wear for the areas where you had liposuction. You should wear these garments all the time except for showering for about two months to ensure that your skin adheres to your new shape.
It also reduces swelling, discomfort, and will relieve pressure. The compression garments may not cover the buttocks because it could kill the newly transferred fat as it settles into its new location.
Take Care Of Your Rear
One of the most critical steps in your BBL recovery is to never sit on your buttocks for at least two months. Instead, it’s best to sleep on your sides or stomach, and if you must sit at some point, use a donut pillow.
Also, putting a pillow behind the legs will help to avoid placing pressure on your fat grafting. This is vital to get the best results; sitting on the rear can damage blood supply to the new fat grafting.
Reduced blood supply to the area can limit how transferred fat cells survive that are new to that area. Note that as much as 40% of the new fat cells may die, whether you sit or not. After the first two months, you should use a pillow or cushion when you sit down. Also, don’t sleep on your back for at least eight weeks.
Getting Back To Normal
After your Brazilian butt lift procedure, you should not engage in high-impact activities, especially anything that involves bouncing, such as running or aerobics. Depending on how well your body responds, you can probably go back to normal activities after eight weeks.
When the fat cells stabilize, you can get back to your more vigorous exercise program, as they should be able to tolerate the stress of jogging and running.
More To Expect During BBL Recovery Week
There are more things to know about recovering from BBL to remember:
- The surgical area may look big after surgery: You will have some swelling, so don’t be shocked if it seems too big or is even asymmetrical at first. Remember that about 40% of the fat cells will die and be reabsorbed by the body, so your buttock area will reduce in size over time.
- The recovery process differs for everyone: We know that most people should not sit on their backsides or sleep on their backs for six to eight weeks. But some people need more or less time with these restrictions.
- Sitting is challenging at first: You may never have realized how much you sit until you can’t do it! Avoid it as much as you can; try a standing desk for work. If you need to sit, use a pillow that your doctor recommends.
- You have to wait for weight loss: This isn’t the time to be worried about working out to lose weight. Instead, just eat right with a healthy balanced diet, so you do not gain weight. Also, your body needs the proper fuel to recover, so choose lean proteins and fruits and vegetables.
- Other parts of your body will look fantastic: Your surgeon needed to use liposuction to get the fat needed for your BBL. So you can expect to have a trimmer abdomen, love handles, and even upper back.
Just remember that most BBLs go well with few consultations. You can ensure you have great results with few complications by following your surgeon’s instructions.
Questions and Answers
How long is the healing process from a Brazilian butt lift?
Brazilian butt lift recovery spans about six weeks. In the initial two weeks following your Brazilian butt lift surgery, avoid sitting or lying on your buttocks; opt for side or stomach sleeping and use a doughnut-shaped seat or pillow for sitting.
How long can you sit after BBL?
Following a BBL (Brazilian Butt Lift), refrain from sitting directly on your buttocks for three weeks. Then, use soft pillows for added support for an additional two weeks, reducing pressure. Most BBL patients can resume regular sitting after four weeks post-surgery.
How many days off do you need after a BBL?
To maintain proper fat placement during your healing process, sleep on your stomach and limit prolonged sitting. If your job involves sitting, consider taking 1-2 weeks off during recovery.
What are the worst days after a BBL?
Pain peaks in the initial 1-2 days post-BBL, often requiring narcotic pain relief. We encourage minimal use of such medication. Subsequently, a milder, lingering discomfort may persist for over a week.
Can I sleep on my back 4 weeks after BBL?
As a general guideline, patients are advised to wait around six weeks before resuming sitting directly on their buttocks or lying flat on their backs while sleeping. During this period, sleeping on your sides is recommended.
Request a Houston BBL Consultation
Interested in a Brazilian butt lift in Houston? Please set up a consultation with board certified plastic surgeon 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 BBL.
References
Recovering From A BBL. (n.d.). Accessed at https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/recovering-from-a-brazilian-butt-lift
Brazilian Butt Lift Recovery. (2021). Accessed at https://www.verywellhealth.com/brazilian-butt-lift-recovery-5086814
