Brazilian Butt Lift Recovery and Results – What You Need to Know

Many women who desire a fuller, rounder, and sensual looking posterior are opting to have plastic surgery to achieve their goal. Brazilian butt lift surgery (BBL) has become the preferred option over implants to enhance buttock size and shape. This cosmetic surgical procedure uses your own fat to provide the desired enhancement, providing natural looking results.

Conventional BBL is performed using general anesthesia. Leading plastic surgeons Drs. Spero Theodorou and Christopher T. Chia of bodySCULPT invented BBL under local anesthesia (BBLULA), a safer option with less downtime, side effects, and recovery. Understanding the Brazilian Butt Lift recovery and results timeline is important before you go ahead. While you’ll notice initial improvements within weeks, the final, lasting contour typically becomes evident only after several months.

How BBL Works

This buttock enhancement procedure involves taking fat from other areas of the body and injecting select, purified donor fat cells into the buttocks. Common donor sites include the abdomen, flanks and thighs. Fat transfer to the buttocks not only enhances the gluteal volume but also sculpts and refines the donor areas, resulting in a more balanced and contoured silhouette.

The time taken to complete the surgery varies, but a typical BBL takes 5-8 hours. Liposuction of the donor sites would take a minimum 2-3 hours, while the time for fat processing can vary. Fat reinjection would take a minimum of 2 to 3 hours.

BBL recovery includes healing from both procedures at once – liposuction to remove fat and the fat transfer injections to the buttocks.

Brazilian Butt Lift Recovery and Results Timeline

One of the most common questions patients ask is: how long does it take to recover from a Brazilian Butt Lift?

As each person’s body responds differently to any cosmetic surgical procedure, there is actually no set time for recovery. Generally, the treated areas will go through a few phases following the BBL procedure before finally stabilizing in shape and size. It is common to experience some initial post-surgery swelling and bruising, but these side effects subside in a few days. Understanding Brazilian Butt Lift recovery week by week helps you know what to expect at each stage of healing, from managing post-operative discomfort in the first week to resuming normal activities in the following months.

Fat resorption after BBL is normal, where some of the fat cells that were transferred to the buttocks do not survive and are naturally broken down and absorbed by the body. It is estimated that around 20-40% of the transferred fat may be lost. Surgeons typically inject a little extra fat to account for this expected loss. They also place fat grafts in a way that allows the fat to grow naturally.

Here are some key tips for a smooth Brazilian Butt Lift recovery:

Recovering from BBL requires following specific guidelines to protect your results and promote healing.

• Your sleeping positions during the first few weeks are crucial—most surgeons recommend sleeping on your stomach or side to avoid putting pressure on the newly transferred fat.
• Wearing compression garments as instructed helps reduce swelling, improve circulation, and shape the treated areas. But make sure not to wear tight or restrictive clothing during your healing process as it will squeeze and destroy the newly transferred fat. Use a compression garment with the rear end cut out so that the garment will not kill the fat grafts before they have a chance to solidify (plasticsurgery.org).
• You’ll also need to follow safe sitting techniques after BBL to protect the fat grafts. Using a donut pillow for sitting allows you to rest your thighs on the pillow while keeping pressure off your buttocks. Avoid sitting directly on your buttocks and minimize sitting time for at least eight weeks (or more).
• Avoid driving for at least 2 weeks as sitting on your newly transferred fat will squish the fat cells.
• Quit or avoid smoking after BBL, as smoking affects the flow of oxygen and nutrients through the blood stream, which in turn, will destroy your body’s ability to heal.
• Effective pain management after BBL surgery, including prescribed medications and gentle activity, will keep discomfort under control and support a faster recovery. Avoid high impact activities, especially any type of bouncing immediately after surgery and can be resumed after the fat cells have stabilized. Light activities such as fast-paced walking can be performed after one month. Most patients return to normal activities six to eight weeks after the surgery.
• Drink plenty of fluids as it will provide your body with electrolytes, the salts and minerals to keep it hydrated.

Final results are usually seen approximately 6 months after the treatment. Full recovery from this plastic surgery procedure depends on how well you adhere to your surgeon’s aftercare instructions. It is necessary to take special care of your skin in the first few days and weeks after the procedure for fast recovery and best results.

Longevity of Results

The results of fat transfer to the buttocks can be long-lasting, but they depend on how much of the transferred fat survives and how well you maintain your post-surgery lifestyle. Typically, 60–80% of the injected fat becomes a permanent part of your body within the first few months, once it develops a healthy blood supply. The fat that survives this period will generally remain for years, just like fat in other areas of your body-it will shrink or grow with weight changes.

To maximize the longevity of your BBL results, it’s important to:

• Follow all recovery guidelines, including safe sitting positions and wearing compression garments.
• Maintain a stable weight, as significant fluctuations can alter the shape.
• Eat healthy and exercise regularly to preserve your overall body contour.

While natural aging may also impact the appearance of your buttocks over time, most patients enjoy their BBL results for many years with proper care.

If you are considering a Brazilian butt lift in NYC, schedule a consultation in an AAAASF-accredited plastic surgery practice that has skilled and experienced BBL surgeons. After determining that you are a good candidate for BBL, a reliable surgeon will provide customized treatment to help you achieve your aesthetic goals.