The Brazilian butt lift (BBL) is a popular cosmetic procedure that involves removing fat from one area of the body (using liposuction) and then injecting it into the buttocks to create a more contoured frame. Your final results can typically be seen at about 4 months post-operation which is when swelling is expected to have fully subsided. It is important to keep up with your post-op appointments and follow your aftercare instructions to ensure you get results that are long-lasting and continue to enhance your body. While the recovery process may seem long to some, the outcome has many benefits that make it worth the wait.
Brazilian Butt Lift Risks
A BBL procedure involves transferring the patient’s own fat cells which also means the risk of the body rejecting the transferred is significantly lowered. On the other hand, alternative buttock augmentation procedures involve either fillers or an implant to change the shape of your backside which can increase the risk of rejection. However, that does not mean that the BBL procedure is completely risk-free. Anesthesia-related risks and poor wound healing can still occur with this procedure. Complications from a BBL are also lower than butt implants. Data collected from 1992 to 2017 of over 4000 patients, shows that only 6.8% of BBL cases had complications. Meanwhile 31.4% of butt implants suffered from complications. Because of this, the BBL procedure is more likely to come with a swift recovery (unlike other buttock augmentation procedures).
Brazilian Butt Lift Recovery
Immediately following your surgery, you will notice swelling and bruising in both the area where the liposuction was performed and the buttocks. Most patients also experience pain but it is typically managed with medication. Compression garments are required for the first 2 weeks after the procedure to help with the swelling. During those 2 weeks, you will also have to avoid sitting or lying directly on your butt. After that, your doctor will clear you to drive and to start sitting on your bottom again using a specially designed cushion. Most doctors advise using the special cushion for up to 8 weeks after the procedure. Attending all of your follow-up appointments will ensure that you are healing as expected. If you have any concerns regarding your results, follow-up appointments are the perfect time to discuss those concerns with your surgeon.
Brazilian Butt Lift Results
Having realistic expectations plays a major role in how satisfied you will be with your final results from the BBL. You will begin to notice how much the areas that had liposuction will decrease in size after the swelling has gone down. Another thing that will catch your attention is how differently your clothes will fit. The shape of your bottom has changed and certain styles of clothing might look more appealing. Most people feel encouraged to try out a new wardrobe that shows off their new backside which can help increase their self-confidence.
A healthy mindset prior to the procedure is extremely important in enjoying the final results. However, most people notice a major increase in their self-esteem following their BBL surgery. This confidence tends to overflow into other parts of their lives as well. People who were previously insecure about their body now have the confidence to show it off. They also feel better about being around others and will likely make an effort to be more social. Their professional lives can benefit from this as well as most patients might not shy away from opportunities they would have before due to any low self-esteem they had previously experienced. The patient might also feel confident enough to date or feel more secure in their relationship now that they have this higher self-confidence.
While it is natural for your body to change as you age, the effects of a BBL procedure are meant to last. Maintaining your BBL results requires committing to a healthy and fit lifestyle. Changing your eating habits and welcoming exercise into your life, once you are cleared by your surgeon, can help preserve your final results. Fluctuating body weight can alter the look of your BBL results but adjusting to a healthy lifestyle can help prevent any unnecessary weight gain. Weight loss on the other hand should not negatively affect your results as long as it is no more than 10% of your total body weight. Another thing that might alter your results is pregnancy. If you plan on becoming pregnant, be sure to speak with your surgeon on how this can affect your results. Pregnancy, like weight gain, might require you to have a corrective procedure post-BBL in order to ensure your results are retained.
BBL has become one of the most sought after cosmetic procedures in recent years. While they might seem like a quick-fix, it is important to understand the recovery process along with the lifestyle adjustments that will need to be made in order to maintain your results. There are many benefits to having this procedure done and the majority of people are satisfied with their overall results.
– JM