A Brazilian butt lift (BBL) is a surgical procedure that uses your own fat to make your butt higher, rounder, and fuller without implants.
During the procedure, a surgeon performs liposuction to harvest unwanted fat from other areas of the body—usually the thighs, back, stomach, and flanks. Then they use a technique known as gluteal fat augmentation to inject a portion of the fat into the butt cheeks and hips, creating an hourglass shape.
Who is a Good Candidate for BBL?
You may be a good candidate for a BBL if you’re at a healthy weight, with enough excess body fat for your surgeon to harvest and transfer.
You may still be a good candidate if you smoke, but you’ll need to stop for at least four weeks prior to surgery and avoid it during your first few months of recovery. Smoking can increase your risk of serious complications and compromise your ability to heal.
What Can You Expect During BBL Recovery?
Recovery time varies between three and six weeks, you should plan to take 10 to 14 days off work. You’ll need to avoid sitting or lying directly on your butt for at least two weeks. You’ll need to wear a compression garment for up to six weeks to decrease bruising and swelling and help any loose skin retract.
Avoid vigorous exercise for the first month of your recovery. Just be sure not to overdo it when you return to the gym and make sure your body-fat percentage is held in check, or you’ll lose some of the fat.
When Will You See Results from BBL Surgery and How Long Will They Last?
You’ll see much more volume immediately, but it can take up to four months to see your final results. During that time, swelling from the surgery and liposuction goes down, and up to 40-50% of the transferred fat cells can be lost.
After seeing their final results, some patients opt to have a Brazilian butt lift revision to add more volume. Asymmetry, dents, or less-than-ideal results may also be improved with additional fat transfer to your buttocks. You’ll just need to have enough unwanted fat left to harvest from other areas.
The fat cells that remain after about four months of recovery will be there permanently. Your best bet for keeping your BBL results long term is to maintain your weight after surgery. Too much weight loss will slim down your butt, while gaining a lot of weight can alter your proportions.
