Brazilian Butt Lift
Posted January 24, 2017
A buttock lift in our culture can have two definitions. A traditional buttock lift is performed on patients after significant weight loss and is done to address excess, sagging skin as well as loss of volume. This is typically combined with a tummy tuck and removes excess skin along the lower back and buttocks to raise the buttocks back to the proper anatomical position.
More recently a buttock lift also means adding fat to the buttocks for a rounder, fuller shape. The method in which fat grafting (fat transfer) is used is commonly referred to as a “Brazilian Butt Lift.” Patients looking to improve the shape, contour or balance of their body may desire this procedure as a method of increasing the size or fullness of the buttocks.
As with any elective, surgical procedure a patient should research the surgeon to assure they are a board certified plastic surgeon and that the procedure will be done at an accredited surgical facility. A Brazilian Butt Lift is performed under general anesthesia with surgical time lasting approximately 2 hours.
A Brazilian Butt Lift will consist of three steps in the operating room. First the patient will have fat extracted through liposuction from pre-determined areas, the most common being the abdomen, hips and outer thighs. This is also used to shape the hips and thighs which will complement the resulting butt lift. The liposuction removes excess fat through a thin, hollow cannula that is attached to a surgical vacuum. The second step requires the fat to be processed, followed by the third and final step which involves the fat being reinjected into the buttocks through small injections done by your surgeon.
The primary concern with a Brazilian Butt Lift is the survival of the newly injected fat cells. The consultation is an important time to review postsurgical instructions and requirements. This is also a good time to discuss the possibility that some fat may not survive the transfer and a second minor procedure may be needed. Patients may have some fat loss due to a failed graft. This can be the result of pressure, too much movement, and even too much fat injected to the site as an adequate blood supply is needed for the survival of the graft.
It is recommended that patients avoid prolonged sitting for 3-4 weeks. If the patient must sit then a donut or special cushion is necessary to prevent pressure to the surgical site. Sitting for any length of time in the first few weeks may damage the fat graft. Patients will wear a compression garment to minimize swelling for 3 weeks. The patient is also required to sleep face down or on their side for 2-3 weeks. Most patients can resume exercise in approximately 4 weeks.
The results of this procedure may be visible immediately although it may take several months for swelling to completely resolve. Your new curves and the volume of the buttocks may decrease over time as the fat is absorbed by your body but patients maintain, on average, about 60-70% of the transferred fat. It is important to remember that injected fat that survives the transfer will act like the rest of your body, it will change with weight gain or loss.
