The Brazilian butt lift, also commonly known as a BBL, is a cosmetic surgical procedure that increases the size of the buttocks and adds flattering curvature to your body. With a Brazilian butt lift, you can flaunt a nicely rounded and symmetrical bottom that harmonizes with your own natural shape. 

Unlike buttocks implants, a BBL utilizes fat from your own body. This will allow you to reap all the rewards of implants while still enjoying a butt that looks and feels natural- because it is! Plus, you’ll be able to get rid of stubborn fat deposits in your thighs, hips, or abdomen at the same time. With Dr. Steven R. Cohen’s guidance and skill, you can get the body contours and curves of your dreams. 

As one of the top plastic surgeons in the United States and worldwide, Dr. Cohen, located in San Diego, CA, has upheld an immaculate reputation. As lead innovator in both the fields of craniofacial and plastic surgery, his experience spans far beyond the confines of aesthetic procedures. His broad range of expertise- including his visual artistry- makes him the right choice for a procedure like a BBL. If you’re looking forward to getting a top-notch transformation, visit Dr. Cohen’s contact page or simply dial (858) 453-7724. 

Before and After Photos

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All About BBLs 

During a BBL, fat is removed from other areas of the patient’s body via liposuction and then transferred into the buttocks. This process is also called autologous fat grafting, and so Brazilian butt lifts are often referred to as fat transfer gluteal augmentations. This process can help women achieve the optimal waist-to-hip ratio that is considered attractive. This procedure contours the body nicely, but it’s important that patients have enough available fat, so it is usually only recommended for people with a body fat percentage of 20-30%. ⁽¹⁾

Surgeons have been developing fat transfer techniques for over a century. Facial fat transfers have been and continue to be a popular way to fight the signs of aging. However, about 30 years ago, surgeons also began developing techniques to use fat to augment the buttocks, and today, fat transfer is the most frequently performed technique for enhancing derrieres. In fact, the number of procedures of gluteal fat grafting has risen 61% since just 2014! ⁽¹⁾

How Safe Are Brazilian Butt Lifts?

New surgical guidelines have greatly reduced the number of complications. A board of surgeons known as the Aesthetic Surgery Education and Research Foundation has performed extensive research and developed safer surgical practices for doctors to follow. For Brazilian butt lifts, they recommend a rigid cannula with a large diameter, a specific angle for it to be used beneath the skin, and a specific speed at which fat is removed. Perhaps most importantly, they’ve also established the safest locations and depths to transfer the fat. ⁽²⁾ Many surgeons, including Dr. Cohen, take safety very seriously and stay informed on the best practices and techniques. Dr. Cohen himself has contributed over 150 articles to medical literature and has been on part of the editorial board for Plastic Reconstructive Surgery and the Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 

Benefits 

With a BBL, you can enjoy your body like never before. The procedure utilizes your own body’s natural fat to build the rounded, beautiful shape you’ve always wanted! Liposuction is used to remove fat from stubborn areas that don’t respond to diet or exercise. And although a BBL is a surgical procedure, it is minimally invasive, so there’s no need to worry about large unsightly scars. Though the procedure only takes a few hours, the results can last for many years. Once stubborn belly fat, bra rolls, or muffin tops are treated with liposuction, the fat cells are permanently removed and won’t regenerate. However, it’s important to continue to lead a healthy lifestyle to maintain your results. You can look forward to achieving natural-looking curves; Dr. Cohen takes careful measures to ensure that results are not over the-top and flatter your unique anatomy. 

Candidates 

Dr. Cohen will need to assess whether you are a good fit for this procedure or not. It is important to consider all the aspects of your health and body features to ensure that a BBL is the right decision for you. You may be the ideal candidate if you:

Personal Consultation 

During your personal consultation, you’ll meet with Dr. Cohen and learn more about BBLs, and whether the procedure is right for you. If Dr. Cohen feels that you’re a good candidate for this procedure, your safety, comfort, and desires will be top priorities. As a Clinical Professor at the Plastic Surgery Training Center at the University of California, San Diego, he stays up to date with the most recent research and developments. Dr. Cohen is voted as one of America’s Top Plastic Surgeons by Newsweek for several consecutive years. To learn more about his professional history, or to simply ask a question on a procedure of your choice, call our office at (858) 453-7224 or visit our contact page and send an inquiry. 

Preparation 

Proper preparation is just as important as the procedure itself. A few aspects of your life and health need to be in order before proceeding with any surgery. First of all, a blood test may be required to get a more comprehensive review of your health. You may need to stop certain medications, especially those that thin blood and cause unwanted bruising. If you’re a smoker or regularly drink alcohol, you should try to quit at least a few weeks before surgery. You should also be at a stable body weight. 

As far as your recovery lifestyle goes, you’ll need to plan ahead. You’ll need to set up your home so that you’ll be able to navigate with limited mobility and avoid sitting. Both sitting and lying down on your back should be avoided for at least two weeks. You’ll be able to use the restroom, but sitting, overall, should be avoided as much as possible. 

You may find it beneficial to stock up on over-the-counter painkillers, extra pillows, loose-fitting clothes, and easy-to-prepare foods. You’ll need extra assistance for the first two weeks, so it’s important to designate a trusted friend or family member that can assist with aftercare and household tasks. 

Procedure 

Before your Brazilian butt lift, you’ll be administered anesthesia to ensure your comfort. In certain cases, local anesthesia and a sedative can be used instead of general anesthesia. ⁽²⁾ This aspect of the procedure is something that you and Dr. Cohen will discuss during your pre-op consultations. Once you’re completely numb or asleep, small incisions are made so that the area to be treated with liposuction can be infiltrated with tumescent fluid. Tumescent fluid contains lidocaine to further numb the area and epinephrine to constrict blood vessels. It also contains saline, which makes the fat firmer so that removal is easier and safer. A suctioning cannula is then inserted into the incisions, and Dr. Cohen will gently suction fat from underneath the skin. 

Once outside of the body, the fat is purified so that it can be injected back into the gluteal area. The fat is carefully placed in small amounts in the subcutaneous layer of existing fatty tissue in order to build the desired contours. Finally, all incisions are dressed and closed, and the patient is placed in compression dressings. 

Recovery 

With proper rest and aftercare, recovery from a BBL can be made as smooth as possible. As stated before, sitting and any pressure on the buttocks should be avoided for at least two weeks (with the exception of short bathroom breaks). You’ll be advised on how to modify your sitting and sleeping, and how to care for your healing incisions. This may include using a soft “donut” to keep the pressure off your buttocks when lying down or sitting on a specially designed BBL pillow, which focuses the pressure on the thighs rather than on the buttocks. Sitting normally can be resumed after two months. 

Depending on the kind of job you have, you may be able to go back to work in about 10 days. For sedentary jobs, you’ll want to incorporate a standing desk or ask Dr. Cohen about when you will be able to sit safely. You’ll need to wear a specialized compression garment around the clock for the first month. Dr. Cohen and his staff will be able to recommend the correct type of BBL garment and sizing. The right garment will minimize swelling, and ensure proper skin retraction after liposuction and the final shape of your buttocks. Keeping it on for as long as recommended is absolutely essential. And, keeping the swelling under control will prevent inflammation so that you experience less discomfort. While very light exercise can be restarted after one week, moderate and strenuous exercise should be avoided until at least 8 weeks after your procedure. 

Results 

A Brazilian Buttlift contours areas with excess fat while shaping a feminine hourglass figure. At about 4 to 6 weeks after the procedure, swelling will have diminished significantly, and you’ll begin to notice the final outcome! Not all transferred fat survives, but after 6 weeks, the remaining fat will have grafted successfully, and made a new, healthy home in your beautifully sculpted butt.  

Other Procedures to Consider

While BBLs address several problem areas of the body, some patients find that it doesn’t quite fit the vision they have for their body. These are some other procedures that enhance other areas of the body and look well with the features of a BBL: 

• Liposuction: For some patients, targeted fat removal is all that is needed to balance their proportions and improve self-confidence.
• Tummy Tuck: Patients that are troubled by loose skin on their abdomen after pregnancy or losing weight can have a smooth, tight abdomen restored with an abdominoplasty procedure.
• Vaser High Def Liposculpting: This form of liposuction allows for precise results, and surgeons can create defined contours that highlight the underlying musculature, like chiseled-looking abs. 

You can also peruse our blog to learn more about plastic surgery and the latest procedures.

Cost of a BBL in San Diego 

Because every BBL is tailored to each patient’s unique desires and anatomy, the price of this procedure varies slightly from patient to patient. Dr. Cohen offers a custom experience that is meant to perfectly fit your needs and desired outcome. Just take a look at his testimonials! The team at Faces+ will be able to give you an accurate estimate for the cost of your Brazilian Butt Lift following your personal consultation. 

FAQ 

References 

1. O’Neill RC, Abu-Ghname A, Davis MJ, Chamata E, Rammos CK, Winocour SJ. The Role of Fat Grafting in Buttock Augmentation. Semin Plast Surg. 2020;34(1):38-46. doi:10.1055/s-0039-3401038

1. Villanueva, Nathaniel L. M.D.; Del Vecchio, Daniel A. M.D.; Afrooz, Paul N. M.D.; Carboy, Jourdan A. B.S.; Rohrich, Rod J. M.D.. Staying Safe during Gluteal Fat Transplantation. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 141(1):p 79-86, January 2018. | DOI: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000003934   
2. Chia CT, Theodorou SJ, Dayan E, Tabbal G, Del Vecchio D. “Brazilian Buttlift” under Local Anesthesia. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2018;142(6):1468-1475. https://doi.org/10.1097/prs.0000000000005067