Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL)
Due to an increased awareness and greater appreciation of buttock aesthetics in recent years, buttock augmentation has become one of the most sought-after plastic surgery procedures in the country. Many patients are interested in increasing the size and improving the appearance of their buttocks to enhance their figure and achieve a more attractive, well-proportioned body shape. The Brazilian Butt Lift is an innovative buttock augmentation technique that uses a patient’s own existing fatty tissue to augment the buttocks with natural-looking and feeling results. As an aesthetic fellowship trained and board certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Robert Schlenker utilizes the most advanced fat transfer techniques available and has extensive experience performing Brazilian Butt Lift procedures. Regardless of whether you are seeking a subtle change or more dramatic re-shaping of your backside, Dr. Schlenker can help you obtain the look you have always wanted.
What should I expect during the Brazilian Butt Lift procedure?
A Brazilian Butt Lift is a combined procedure that incorporates two surgical techniques, liposuction to remove unwanted fat and sculpt the body, followed by fat transfer to augment and shape the buttocks. The procedure usually includes liposuction of the abdomen and flanks which narrows and accentuates the waistline, while removal of fat from adjacent areas can further contour the buttocks, hips and thighs. Liposuction of other regions, such as the lateral chest, back, arms and inner thighs, can also be performed to enhance the results of your Brazilian Butt Lift and provide a more significant improvement in overall appearance. The preferred treatment areas are different for each patient, and Dr. Schlenker will determine which locations can provide an adequate amount of fat graft to achieve your desired outcome.
After liposuction is completed, the fat is separated and prepared for transfer, and then carefully re-injected into specific areas throughout the buttocks. Dr. Schlenker utilizes the most advanced surgical techniques and technology available to increase fat graft survival, and deliver consistent and reliable long-term results. Our state-of-the-art practice emphasizes high quality care, safety, and patient satisfaction, and we want you to feel comfortable and confident in your decision to proceed with surgery.
Who is a candidate for Brazilian Butt Lift surgery?
A full, firm, and round buttocks can enhance the natural contours of the body, providing a more proportionate and youthful appearance. If you have concerns about your buttocks due to skin laxity, lack of volume, poor shape, asymmetry, or another issue, a Brazilian Butt Lift procedure may be right for you. To be an ideal candidate, you should be in good general health, have realistic expectations about the post-operative result, and have enough existing fatty tissue available to successfully perform the procedure. Patients should be non-smokers, or at least be able to stop for several weeks before and after the procedure, since smoking can affect wound healing and interfere with survival of the transferred fat graft. Occasionally, thinner patients may lack the excess body fat that is required and will be instructed to gain a small amount of weight (approximately 5-10 pounds) prior to surgery.
An alternative buttock augmentation technique may be recommended for patients that desire buttock enhancement but are not appropriate candidates for a Brazilian Butt Lift. Silicone buttock implants can be used to provide additional volume, projection, and definition to the buttocks in slimmer patients with extremely low body fat. In patients with loose, sagging skin, a buttock lift procedure can remove excess skin, lift and tighten underlying tissues, and restore shape to the buttocks. Dr. Schlenker will discuss buttock implants and buttock lift procedures during your consultation if these are more suitable options for managing your particular concerns.
What will recovery after a Brazilian Butt Lift be like?
Brazilian Butt Lift surgery can take between three to four hours to complete, depending on how much liposuction is included and the amount of fat transfer required. It is typically performed as an outpatient procedure, so you will be able to return home the same day to rest and recover. It is normal to have temporary swelling, bruising and tenderness in the liposuction areas, and there may be similar effects at the fat transfer sites. These symptoms will gradually diminish over the course of several weeks, and medication will be prescribed to manage any pain and discomfort. Most patients take one to two weeks off from work and other responsibilities to recover, and Dr. Schlenker will let you know when it is appropriate to resume certain activities.
Dr. Schlenker will provide detailed post-operative instructions, since there are special restrictions that a patient must follow in order to ensure an optimal outcome. Patients are advised to avoid sitting or lying on their back for extended lengths of time during the initial recovery period. After ten days, patients are allowed to sit with a pillow placed beneath their thighs which helps to reduce the amount of direct pressure on the buttocks. It is also recommended that patients wear a post-operative compression garment for four to six weeks to decrease swelling, promote skin contraction, provide support, and shape the buttocks. While some changes will be immediately visible after surgery, it can take several months for swelling to resolve, skin tightening to occur, final buttock shape to develop, and the full results to become apparent.
If you are considering buttock augmentation and would like to learn more about Brazilian Butt Lift surgery, please contact our office today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Schlenker.