Best Practices for Maintaining BBL Results Long Term

A Brazilian butt lift, popularly referred to as a BBL is a popular fat grafting procedure among men and women. This procedure which involves lifting fat from areas of excess like the thighs, the flanks, and the abdominal areas and transferring them to the buttocks, has risen in popularity in the past decade. It is essential to learn how to maintain the results of the procedure, and that is addressed in this article.

How does the fat transfer to the butt work?

The procedure involves a liposuction procedure where fat is harvested from the unwanted areas or pockets of fats like the hips, the thighs, the lower back, or the abdominal area. The harvested fat is then purified and put into syringes. Then, these fats are injected into the buttocks by the surgeon through small incisions. The surgeon also intermittently molds the shape of the butt between the fat injections for a more desired and sculpted shape.

What can one expect after a BBL surgery?

Recovery after a BBL generally takes about six weeks. For the first 2-3 weeks, the patient will need to be very careful and avoid putting pressure directly on the butt. Sitting will require a special cushion or a doughnut seat, and this may be required for up to eight weeks after the surgery. Sleeping during the recovery is done on the stomach or the side to avoid displacing the grafted fat for better results. The patient may experience bruising, soreness, swelling, and a feeling of numbness. There is also pain, which is managed by prescribed painkillers. Most BBL patients report minimal discomfort and the side effects are very temporary during the recovery. 

What are the risks associated with a BBL procedure? 

The risks associated with a BBL surgery, such as the possibility of infection, blood clots, fat embolism, and anesthetic difficulties, must be understood. As a result, it is strongly advised that careful research be done and that a qualified medical practitioner be consulted before deciding to undergo the operation. 

When will the results of the BBL surgery be apparent?

During the BBL recovery period, transferred fat will continue to be integrated into the local tissue to establish the transferred cells. Residual swelling usually disappears after a few months following the procedure. By the sixth month after the procedure, the final result is usually apparent. It is crucial to remember that not all transplanted fat will stay permanently in its new position because part of the fats will be naturally absorbed by the body. But a BBL does provide excellent long-term results.

How to get the best results from a BBL surgery

All surgeons will agree that a patient’s actions after a BBL surgery will significantly affect and impact the survival of the fat in the butt. As previously stated, after a fat transfer only a portion of the transferred fat will survive in its new location. The percentage that will survive will widely vary based on several factors:

• The volume of fat transferred
• The tightness or elasticity of the skin in that area
• How the patient treats the BBL recovery process
• The habits adopted by the patients after the procedure

What are the ways to maximize BBL results?

Some of the things a patient must consider to maintain the results of the BBL procedure and make the results last long include:

• Quit smoking – It is highly prohibited for a patient that is recovering from a BBL procedure to abstain from all forms of smoking after the surgery, even second-hand smoking is not advised. This is because smoking affects the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the bloodstream, and it hinders the body’s ability to recover properly. After a fat transfer, the newly transferred blood cells will need to re-establish a blood supply in order to survive in the new environment
• Do not drive – It is recommended that a patient that is recovering from a BBL should avoid driving for at least 6-8 weeks. This is to avoid sitting on the newly transferred fat cells, thereby squishing and suffocating them.
• Maintain hydration – Drinking a lot of fluids can help the body retain water and recover more quickly by giving it the electrolytes, salts, and minerals it needs. Even a few pinches of salt added to the water will suffice.
• Do not sit on your butt – Patients should avoid sitting directly on the buttocks for at least 3-4 weeks post-surgery. If they must sit, they are advised to use a BBL or doughnut pillow. They are also advised to sit in such a way that the pressure is applied more to the lower thighs rather than the butt.
• Sleep adequately and correctly – Stomach sleeping is the best way to sleep during the recovery process after a BBL. Side sleeping is also an option, but it is risky except the patient is sure that they will not end up on their back. Sleeping on their back in any way is not recommended and is strictly prohibited. It is advised to avoid back sleeping for up to 2 months.
• Maintain a stable weight – Fluctuations in weight can negatively affect the results of a BBL. Minimal fluctuations of about 5 pounds or so are not a significant weight change. However, significant accumulations will cause the fat to accumulate in new problem areas leading to a change in the desired shape and erasing the results of the procedure.
• Eat healthy – It is important to eat nutrient-dense food that will provide the body with the essential minerals and vitamins that are needed for a speedy recovery. It is also important that the patient adds healthy fats and other food to their diets like salmon, olive oil, coconut oil, avocados, etc.
• Wearing the right garments – It is important to wear outfits that will support the healing process of the BBL. Squeezing the newly transferred fat is a very quick way to kill those fat cells. The patient is advised not to wear tight or restrictive clothing during the healing process. The patient is also given some BBL shaping outfits that will help in molding the shape of the BBL and is advised to wear them for some weeks after the procedure.