The term BBL is not a surgical medical term. It refers to the transfer of fat from one area of the body to the buttocks. BBL is called a Brazilian butt lift because one of the initial surgeons who first used fat to increase buttock volume was on a patient from Brazil. It has been popularized the last several years by high profile women having the procedure producing prodigious buttocks.
Basically, the procedure can be performed under heavy sedation or general anesthesia and using a closed sterile system to liposuction fat from various areas of the body where the patient has excess fat. Common donor sites are the abdomen, lateral thighs, hips, and anywhere else the patient may have excess fat. Furthermore, the fat is harvested in a closed sterile system and prepared for injection.
BBL Recovery
Once the fat is injected the post-operative course is set and must be followed. Full recovery may take 6 to 8 weeks. For the first two weeks sleeping on the side of the stomach is required. Sitting requires a special doughnut or pillow with a hole in the middle that prevents the newly transferred fat from moving to a degree. The fat provides additional volume and firmness to the buttock area.
Strenuous activity must be avoided for 2 to 3 months. The recovery period will depend upon how diligent the patient is able to keep weight off of the newly improved and increased buttock volume areas. There’s a differing opinion as to how much of the fat will survive. Some believe over time volume may be lost and additional treatments may be required. Also if the abdomen is the main source of donor fat, the patient may experience some looseness of the abdominal skin. And, a tummy tuck may be of benefit.
Gluteal implants are an option but remember they are a foreign object. In summary, fat transferred to the buttock or BBL is a great procedure in certain patients who wish to have larger firmer buttocks.
THOMAS TREVISANI, MD
BOARD CERTIFIED PLASTIC SURGEON
MEMBER AMERICAN SOCIETY OF AESTHETIC PLASTIC SURGERY
