A Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) involves transferring fat from other parts of your body to your buttocks to enhance its shape and size. Here's a breakdown of the typical process:
1. Liposuction
- Fat Removal: The surgeon uses liposuction to remove fat from areas like the abdomen, hips, thighs, lower back, or arms. Small incisions are made, and a cannula (a thin tube) is inserted to suction out the fat.
- Purpose: This step not only provides the fat needed for the BBL but also contours the donor areas, contributing to an overall improved body shape.
2. Fat Processing and Purification
- Preparation: The extracted fat is then processed to purify it. This usually involves separating the fat cells from fluids and debris to ensure only healthy, viable fat cells are injected.
- Techniques: Different techniques exist for purification, including centrifugation, washing, and decanting. The goal is to maximize the survival rate of the transferred fat.
3. Fat Injection
- Injection Points: The surgeon injects the purified fat into specific areas of the buttocks. Multiple injections are made at different depths to create a natural-looking and well-proportioned result.
- Placement: The fat is typically injected into the subcutaneous and intramuscular planes of the buttocks.
- Shaping: The surgeon carefully molds and shapes the buttocks during the injection process to achieve the desired aesthetic outcome.
Key Considerations
- Anesthesia: BBL procedures are typically performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation, depending on the extent of the procedure and the patient's preference.
- Recovery: Recovery can take several weeks. Patients usually need to avoid sitting directly on their buttocks for a few weeks to allow the transferred fat to establish a blood supply. Special pillows or cushions are often recommended.
- Results: The results of a BBL can be long-lasting, but some of the transferred fat may be absorbed by the body. A skilled surgeon can minimize fat loss by using proper techniques and ensuring good blood supply to the injected area.
- Risks: As with any surgical procedure, there are risks associated with BBL, including infection, bleeding, asymmetry, fat necrosis, and, in rare cases, a fat embolism, which can be life-threatening. Choosing a qualified and experienced surgeon is crucial to minimizing these risks.
