What Is BBL?
BBL (Brazilian Butt Lift) is a body-contouring procedure in which the patient's own fat tissue is used. Fat harvested by liposuction from the abdomen, waist, back or thighs is purified and injected into the buttocks in multiple layers.
In which cases is it preferred?
- To increase hip volume and projection
- Balancing body contours (hourglass silhouette)
- To aim at balancing the body's proportions
- To offer a natural alternative to implants
Who is BBL suitable for?
- People who want to increase buttock volume and projection by natural means
- People who want to balance the waist-to-hip ratio (hourglass silhouette)
- People with enough fat reserve for transfer
- People in suitable general health, who do not smoke and have realistic expectations
In very thin people the fat that can be harvested may be limited, so reaching the targeted volume may not always be possible; suitability is assessed during the examination.
How is safety ensured?
The basis of safety in BBL is delivering the fat to the correct anatomical layer — under the skin, without entering the muscle. In the modern safe technique the injection is done in a superficial plane, in a controlled way and, when needed, under ultrasound guidance. Therefore it is very important that the procedure is performed by an experienced surgeon in a properly equipped centre. Your suitability and safety assessment are determined by a detailed examination.
The surgical process
- Planning: the areas from which fat will be taken and the target volume are decided.
- Surgery: under general anaesthesia, liposuction + purification + layered injection are carried out in about 3–4 hours.
- Recovery: sitting directly on the buttocks is avoided for the first 8 weeks (a special BBL cushion); a compression garment is worn for 4–8 weeks.
Part of the injected fat is absorbed by the body; the amount that survives varies from person to person, so an exact rate cannot be stated in advance.
As the edema subsides and the retained fat becomes defined, it takes its final shape within 3–6 months.
BBL is a procedure that requires the fat to be delivered to the correct anatomical layer (under the skin, without entering the muscle) and with a safe technique. Suitability and safety must be assessed by an experienced surgeon through a detailed examination.
As the swelling resolves and the retained fat becomes clear, the result takes its final shape within 3–6 months.
Because BBL uses the person's own fat, an adequate fat reserve is needed. In very thin people the fat that can be harvested may be limited; in that case the target volume and suitability are assessed during the examination.
For usually 6–8 weeks, direct sitting on the buttocks is avoided; during this time a special BBL pillow is used and a face-down/side sleeping position is recommended.