The Brazilian Buttock Lift Is All The Rage!
Various celebrities, models, and internet influencers have focused attention on the buttocks as a focal point of beauty and allure. Since this is a relatively new addition to our perception of what is “sexy” there is still a good deal of misunderstanding about what a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) is, and what can be reasonably achieved.
The first misconception is that a BBL will lead to a gigantic and perhaps “overdone” buttock region. This is rarely the case. See Dr. Restifo’s Before & After BBL Photos for realistic results. One should remember that only 50 to 60 percent of the fat that is transferred to the region will actually “take”; the rest will dissolve quickly in the first month. Also, take into consideration that there are two halves to fill; so that all of the fat that we can get has to be divided in two. Thus the limiting factor in terms of size becomes the amount of fat available to transfer. So even though the impression in the first few weeks of BBL recovery is that the area is really big, much of this is due to swelling and that some of the fat has not yet dissolved. After a month or two the area will settle and give a more accurate impression of the final size, although swelling can continue to decrease over the first six months.
In a BBL the shape is perhaps more important than the actual size. The goal is typically an “upside-down” heart shape. This can be obtained not only by filling out the lower side area and increasing central projection but also by decreasing the fullness in the lower back. This principle of “remove here, add there” is the essence of getting a nice buttock shape.
There are also concerns regarding the safety of a BBL. Unfortunately, this is part of the “learning curve” of any new procedure. Certain things need to be avoided to maximize safety. Fat should not be injected into muscle or anywhere near major blood vessels; this can be avoided by knowledge of anatomy. Also, fat should not be injected with a skinny needle as this increases the pressure under which the fat enters the body, increasing the chances that it goes where it is not wanted. And finally the BBL should be recognized for what it is: an operation. As such, it needs to be carried out in a fully accredited surgical facility.
A final misconception is that if a patient doesn’t have enough fat for a meaningful BBL, they can gain weight and have more fat available to transfer. This only works if the patient plans to stay at the increased weight, because any weight loss after a BBL will remove fat first from the area to where it was just transferred, i.e. the buttocks.
The BBL is a relatively new and exciting procedure but it is important for both patients and plastic surgeons to understand it so that expectations can be safely met.
To learn more about how the procedures is done, visit the Brazilian Butt Lift page.
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