You can exercise your way to bigger glutes—or for those wanting immediate or more dramatic results—there’s the option of a Brazilian butt lift (BBL). The aesthetic procedure continues to grow in popularity, despite the health risks. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, more than 20,000 people had a BBL done by board-certified surgeons in 2017, rising steadily from the 8,500 people who did it in 2012.
A BBL uses a combination of liposuction and fat-grafting, resulting in added volume, defined curves, and a lift. There are serious concern about whether this surgery is safe at all after reports surfaced that the death rate following a BLL is a terrifying 1 in 3,000. We spoke with plastic surgeons Dr. Lara Devgan and Dr. David Shafer to walk us through all the controversy.
The Procedure
A BBL starts with liposuction, where a surgeon will suck fat out of areas in the body then process and re-inject it into the buttocks and hips. The areas of planned liposuction (Shafer says fat is usually taken from the abdomen or the lower back) and the outline of planned fat grafting are marked before surgery. Once the patient is positioned on the operating room table face-down and under anesthesia, the liposuction is performed in the desired areas and the fat is collected in a specialized system that separates live fat cells from liposuction fluid. That fat is then injected in the marked areas of the butt. Shafer says surgeons will sometimes graft fat into the thighs or hips, depending on what body shape the patient wants. The procedure requires a few very small incisions that sutured closed at the end.
How Much Do BBLs Cost?
Devgan says the cost of BBLs can vary depending on the provider performing the surgery and where you live, but it can range anywhere from $3,000 to $30,000.
Shafer says some patients just don’t have enough excess body fat for a BBL. “[Curvy patients] have fat available for harvesting through liposuction and enhancing their buttocks and thighs fits their body type,” he says. Devgan recommends patients be healthy adults within 15 pounds of their goal weight.
Before surgery, you’ll also need to have a medical clearance from your general practitioner. Shafer explains that doctors will make sure you’re healthy for surgery and screen for risk factors associated with surgical complications such as blood clotting disorders or any cardiovascular issues.
What Is BBL Recovery Like?
Shafer says recovery happens in three stages: first few days, first several weeks, and first several months. During the first few days, you can generally go back to work. During the first several weeks, most of the swelling reduces and the bruising starts to heal. This is when you can go back to the gym and are approved for travel. The last stage is where any remaining swelling will resolve and the transferred fat has pretty much settled.
Devgan says you’ll want to avoid pressure on areas where there is grafted fat. If you’re a back or side sleeper, this means you’ll need to sleep on your stomach and avoid strenuous exercise for several weeks.
Expectations also need to be managed: the results are only semi-permanent. Shafer and Devgan note that only up to 80 percent of the grafted fat survives, so many patients may need to revise some aspect of the surgery in the future.
“In most cases 70 to 80 percent of the grafted fat survives while some of it absorbs,” Shafer says. “The fat is living tissue and will change with weight fluctuations in the body so if you lose weight, the fat can shrink just like anywhere else on your body. Likewise, if you gain weight, the fat can expand just like anywhere else on your body when you gain weight.”
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Frequently Asked Questions
A Brazilian butt lift (BBL) is a cosmetic procedure that combines liposuction and fat grafting to enhance the volume, shape, and lift of the buttocks. Fat is removed from areas like the abdomen or lower back and then injected into the buttocks and hips to create defined curves.
During a BBL, fat is harvested through liposuction from areas such as the abdomen or lower back. The fat is then processed to separate live fat cells from fluids before being injected into the buttocks and sometimes the hips or thighs to achieve the desired body shape.
BBLs carry significant health risks, including a reported death rate of about 1 in 3,000 due to complications. These risks have raised serious safety concerns, making it crucial to consult with board-certified surgeons and understand all potential complications before undergoing the procedure.
The cost of a BBL varies widely depending on the surgeon and location, ranging from approximately $3,000 to $30,000. Factors influencing the price include the provider's expertise, geographic location, and the extent of the procedure.
Ideal candidates are healthy adults within about 15 pounds of their goal weight who have enough excess body fat for harvesting. Medical clearance is required to ensure there are no risk factors like blood clotting disorders or cardiovascular issues that could complicate surgery.
Recovery occurs in three stages: the first few days where patients can usually return to work; the following weeks when swelling and bruising subside and light activities resume; and several months for final fat settling and swelling resolution. Patients must avoid pressure on grafted areas and may need to sleep on their stomach.
BBL results are semi-permanent because only about 70 to 80 percent of the grafted fat survives. The fat behaves like normal body fat, shrinking or expanding with weight changes, so some patients may require revision surgeries to maintain results.
Before surgery, patients need medical clearance from their general practitioner to screen for health issues that could increase surgical risks. Maintaining a stable weight and overall good health is important to minimize complications and improve outcomes.
Yes, surgeons sometimes graft fat into the thighs or hips in addition to the buttocks, depending on the patient's desired body shape and aesthetic goals. This helps create a more balanced and contoured appearance.
