Rated as the most popular cosmetic surgery currently in the UK, we chat about a Brazilian Butt Lift and why someone might want one.
Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) is one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries in the UK and the fastest-growing cosmetic surgery globally. The surgery aims to provide patients with a curvier butt and an hourglass figure, an aesthetic popularized on social media. Thus, many people choose BBL to attain what they perceive as the ideal body.
However, Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) surgery has also gained a notorious reputation as many patients who seek the procedure at cheap rates abroad are injured, sometimes with fatal consequences. In such cases, patients are often happy with the outcome and regard it as a worthwhile procedure.
Yet, when performed correctly by a qualified and trained plastic surgeon, the surgery is as safe as any cosmetic surgery. In this article, we’ll discuss the surgery in more detail, including how to minimize the associated risks.
How is BBL performed?
A BBL usually takes between 2-4 hours to perform, during which you will be placed under sedation or general anesthesia.
The procedure is performed in two stages. First, the surgeon performs liposuction on areas of the body containing excess fat. Most people carry excess fat in areas around the butt, such as the abdomen, flanks, and hips. The surgeon inserts a cannula into the skin to perform liposuction, which suctions the fat.
Second, the surgeon performs a fat transfer to the butt. This involves purifying the fat cells harvested from the liposuction surgery and preparing them for injection. Finally, the surgeon injects the appropriate amount of fat into the butt to provide you with your desired volume and shape.
Why is it so popular?
Apart from the desire to attain a curvier rounded butt, there are many reasons why patients are drawn to this surgery, particularly over other cosmetic solutions for enhancing the butt:
First, the surgery uses your body’s fat cells, which is more organic than inserting a foreign substance like fillers and implants. As a result, you’re also less likely to suffer from an allergic reaction.
Secondly, BBL contours the body in two ways: it removes fat in places you don’t want, and injects it into an area where it’s needed. Thus, you’re left with a more contoured and slimmer silhouette and a curvier bottom.
Thirdly, it offers permanent results. Once the fat cells have stabilized in your butt, they will have integrated into the blood supply in the area, which means it is now a permanent and natural part of your body. Again, this is a massive advantage over fillers which need to be repeated every 18 months to maintain results, and butt implants which most people remove or replace after 10-15 years.
Finally, it’s a scarless procedure. Both the liposuction and fat transfer procedures require tiny incisions, so you won’t have to worry about hiding any scars after surgery. In comparison, butt implants require a long incision along the crease of the butt.
What results can I expect?
At first, your butt will appear larger than expected. However, over the course of 3-6 months, your body will absorb 30-50% of the injected fat cells, and the remaining fat cells will stabilize in your body to provide a permanent enhancement. To account for this volume loss, your surgeon will discuss your desired volume and inject more fat than needed to produce the results you want.
In addition, a Brazilian Butt Lift is not just about adding volume to the butt. It’s also about reshaping the area to improve your silhouette. The most desired butt shapes are the bubble butt and the inverted heart-shaped butt. The former has an even volume across both butt cheeks, whereas the latter is narrower at the top and fuller at the bottom. You can discuss the shape you want with your surgeon, who will then inject fat in specific areas to recreate your desired results.
Is it safe?
Whether or not a BBL is safe depends on who performs your surgery. It’s thought that 1 in 3000 people die from a BBL, which has generated negative press coverage about the procedure. However, such statistics are largely due to unlicensed surgeons in certain countries performing the procedure at cheap rates using unsafe methods.
For example, most fatalities and injuries from a BBL result from fat embolisms that occur when fat leaks into the gluteal vein. This is most likely to occur when fat is injected into or under the gluteal muscle, a practice that is banned by many plastic surgery societies. However, such regulations do not exist in certain countries, where it continues to be performed by untrained surgeons.
However, if you seek a BBL in the UK or another country with regulations in place, it is no riskier than any other cosmetic surgery as surgeons will use safe methods to minimize risks. For example, Dr. Omar Tillo has gained a reputation as a BBL expert after developing a safe technique for performing BBLs known as the BEST-F (Buttock Enhancement and Superficial Transfer of Fat) technique. Using this approach, the surgeon injects fat over the gluteal muscle and uses an ultrasound device to monitor the placement of fat, thus ensuring the patient’s safety throughout the surgery.
If you’re thinking of getting a BBL after reading this article, be sure to consult with a qualified and experienced plastic surgeon who prioritises patient safety while helping you achieve your desired aesthetic.
