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Some people are naturally blessed with more than others, but for those in the “lacking” department, a butt augmentation procedure known as a Brazilian butt lift could be an option. At Plastic Surgery and Dermatology in Bradenton, Florida, the popular Brazilian butt lift procedure can be performed in four hours or less. By transplanting fat cells from other parts of the body to the butt itself, you can achieve not only rounder and more full buttocks, but also toning in the areas from where the fat is liposuctioned. Are you considering this trendy cosmetic enhancement? We’ve answered 20 of the most popular Brazilian butt lift questions you might have.
Is a Brazilian Butt Lift Permanent? 20 Most Popular BBL Questions Answered
We take patient education before, during, and after cosmetic procedures and treatments seriously. With that in mind, we’ve collected these 15 top questions you might have about this procedure that’s in high demand.
1. What Is a Brazilian Butt Lift?
Understanding what this procedure entails is the first step toward knowing whether it’s the right fit for you. A Brazilian butt lift involves the transfer of fat from one part of the body to another. We may remove fat from the abdomen, back, or thighs to reposition it in the buttocks area.
After removing and cleaning the fat collected, we strategically position those fat injections to give you the fuller and rounder bottom of your dreams. Because we use your own fat, there are no foreign materials inserted in the body, which is appealing to many. This procedure is growing in popularity and is in high demand across the country.
2. How Long Have Butt Lifts Been Performed?
Though they’ve only recently become popular, procedures related to enhancing the gluteal region were being discussed as far back as the 1960s. Dr. Ivo Pitanguy who is, in fact, from Brazil, is usually credited with being the inventor of the procedure and the first to perform it.
Dr. Pitanguy’s research led to more widespread practice of the procedure, with surgeons transplanting fat from other areas of the body in the 1980s. Twenty years later, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons finally began reporting on statistics related to the procedure. In 2018, more than 24,000 butt lifts were reported — a 20% increase — making it the “hottest” cosmetic surgery procedure in recent memory.
3. Is This Procedure Safe?
When done by a board-certified surgeon who is skilled in performing butt lifts, absolutely! Butt lifts have gotten a bad rap in recent years due to unqualified individuals attempting to perform these procedures in unsanitary settings. You should feel comfortable in knowing that we are trained in best practices for this procedure — and dozens of others — in a sanitary environment.
Whether or not you choose us for your contouring, please do not be lured in by “deep discounts” or an unsafe atmosphere, such as a hotel, for your procedure. Always ask about education, training, and certifications before going under the knife.
4. Am I a Good Candidate?
Our ideal candidates are those who are in good general health. You may be an excellent candidate if you have recently lost weight and are dealing with sagging or drooping of the buttocks or you may already be at your ideal weight but could benefit from moving pockets of fat elsewhere on your body to your buttocks.
Generally, we want candidates to have some body fat in order to complete a successful transfer. If a butt lift is not right for you, we may have a different recommendation to get you to the body you want.
5. How Much Fat Is Typically Transferred?
This is a unique situation for each candidate because everyone’s body is different. The amount of fat that will be transferred in your procedure will depend largely on how much fat you have available and the outcome that you’d like to see. Your surgeon will discuss these specifics with you and work with you to arrive at your optimal results.
6. How Long Does the Procedure Take?
It depends on how many body areas will need to be liposuctioned to complete the transfer. We usually tell our patients that the entire operation can be completed in four hours or less. Again, this will be customized to your unique situation.
7. Will I Be Under Anesthesia?
We utilize general anesthesia that will put you in a comfortable, sleep-like state where you won’t feel any pain during the procedure. Your breathing and other body functions will be closely monitored during and after your procedure.
8. Will I Notice Changes in Other Areas of My Body?
One of the best “side effects” of the butt lift procedure is the toning you’ll see in the areas of your body that we transfer fat from. Because we are removing fat from these areas, you’ll likely experience enhanced body contouring in the thighs, back or abdomen — wherever we harvest the fat from that we transfer to your buttocks.
9. Will This Help Me Lose Weight?
We want your contouring procedure to be everything you’ve been hoping for! The end result will be more well-defined buttocks and some additional contouring in the areas from which we remove fat for the transfer. This procedure, however, is not designed to aid or assist in weight loss.
10. What Is the Recovery Period Like? What About Pain Medication?
We recognize that recovery is different for everyone, but we expect a recovery period of two to four weeks for most patients. Some temporary pain management may be required to get you through the first few days or weeks, but you’ll be given everything you need!
11. How Soon Can I Sit Down?
This may be one of the more challenging aspects of your recovery. Typical activities like sitting or lying down on your backside should be suspended for six weeks. Why? We want you to avoid potential pressure or trauma to the buttocks, which can impact your desired results. Once we’ve given you the go-ahead to sit at a table or lie down on your back, you may still opt to use a pillow to reduce tenderness in the area.
12. When Can I Resume Normal Activities?
Most people can resume normal activities between two and four weeks after the procedure. Moderate exercise or returning to work, with modifications, should be OK in most circumstances, but your doctor will be best able to advise you on your particular recovery plan. We recommend not scheduling a butt lift too close to important life events, though, such as a vacation or wedding.
13. When Can I Expect to See Results?
Unlike some procedures where any results can take weeks to see, some results of a butt lift can be visible almost immediately after your procedure. As the swelling in the area decreases in the weeks following your surgery, you’ll see even more of that shapely figure you’ve always dreamed of.
14. How Much Scarring Should I Expect?
Just like everyone’s procedure and recovery experiences are different, so too is the scarring you might experience. For most, scarring is minimal and not noticeable due to very small and minor incisions. We do all that we can to minimize scarring, which may look more pronounced immediately after the procedure but will recede during recovery and after.
15. How Long Will My Results Last?
Combined with healthful eating and exercise, the results of your butt lift can last for years. Think of it like a skin grafting procedure, where the skin is transferred from one place on the body to the other. Skin grafts do not go away, and neither do fat grafts. Changes in your weight can certainly impact your long-term results and some of the fat injected into the buttocks will naturally be reabsorbed by the body.
16. How Can Exercise Impact My Results?
Just as before your procedure, exercise that targets the gluteal muscles can cause those muscles — and subsequently, your buttocks — to grow larger. If your exercising prompts you to lose weight, however, you may experience some decrease in your post-surgery results.
17. Will Touch-Ups Be Necessary?
Because some of the fat newly-injected into your buttocks will be reabsorbed by the body, future touch-ups may be necessary to maintain your ideal figure. This is a determination you and your surgeon can reach together at the right time.
18. Why a Butt Lift Over Other Procedures?
We’ve discussed some of the best-case scenarios for candidates considering a butt lift, but you may be wondering: “What about butt implants?” While that is a viable option for some candidates, we believe a butt lift offers more natural contouring and lift for patients while also using a safe and natural material already in your body — your own fat.
19. Can I Still Get Pregnant After a Lift?
Babies are a welcome addition to a family! We recognize that you may be considering a butt lift before you’re certain that your family is complete. The accompanying weight gain that comes as a result of pregnancy can create changes in your procedure results.
If you know that you’re planning to add to your family, we usually suggesting waiting on your butt lift until afterward. However, there is nothing unsafe about carrying a child successfully to term after this procedure.
20. Is My Surgeon Qualified to Perform My Butt Lift?
Dr. Melinda Lacerna is double board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery and has more than 15 years of experience in plastic, aesthetic and reconstructive surgery, with a focus on body contouring procedures such as butt lifts. She was recently awarded “Best Brazilian Butt Lift Doctor” in a poll conducted by RealSelf.com. You are in good hands!
21. How Much Does It Cost?
The cost for an elective procedure such as a butt list covers multiple things, including the surgeon’s fee, the anesthesia cost, and any hospital charges for the use of the operating room. We can give you more information on what you can expect regarding cost during an in-person consultation.
Have More Questions?
Contact us at the LA Plastic Surgery & Dermatology in Bradenton, Florida today! If you’re considering a Brazilian butt lift, we’d welcome the opportunity to talk to you to go over these questions or others that you may have. Please contact our office today to schedule a consultation so we can go over your unique situation and work together with you to help you arrive at your best body.