How Long Does a Brazilian Butt Lift Last?

This blog discusses how long BBLs last, what goes into the fat transfer process, and how patients can maintain their results.

Can My BBL Last a Lifetime?

The Brazilian Butt Lift (BBLs) has taken the world of aesthetics by storm as more patients are noticing the fantastic transformations this procedure makes possible. But as with any elective procedure, such as a BBL, patients have to weigh multiple factors as they consider their decision to undergo plastic surgery. 

If you’re committing your time, energy, and money to a procedure, you probably want to know if it’s going to last—and BBLs have the potential to last a lifetime, but only with proper maintenance by you.

How Does a BBL Work?

Since BBLs work via fat transfer, we must break down this process in order to discuss how a BBL can last for years or more. Fat transfer is the process of removing or harvesting fat from one area of the body, treating the fat, and then reinjecting it into another body part for aesthetic purposes. 

The process itself is very complex and should only be performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience in fat transfer because it is more complicated than simply relocating fat from one area to another. Fat transfer requires a delicate balance of fat to blood supply in the donor area; otherwise, there is a risk of cell death. 

Another part of the process is the harvesting of fat using liposuction. Long considered one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures, liposuction is crucial to the success of a BBL. Your surgeon will work with you to determine where your “donor” area is. Most patients choose the abdomen to harvest fat from, as it often has enough to be used, and slimming the midsection can create a more hourglass result when paired with a BBL.

Is a BBL Permanent?

In a way, yes, a BBL is permanent. This has to do with how fat cells act within the body. When you remove fat via liposuction, surgical excision, etc., the fat cells do not grow back—the removed fat is permanently eliminated. Therefore, liposuction does offer a permanent change to the body; however, there’s a catch. Even if fat cells do not grow back, the surrounding fat cells can grow, which is why you can gain weight after liposuction. 

So, if you have liposuction on your abdomen to prepare for a BBL, your midsection will permanently have fewer fat cells, but the surrounding tissues can still expand and reverse your result.

When we reinject those fat cells into a new location, such as the buttocks, it must be done in an even and careful manner to ensure as much cell survival as possible. In any case, there is always some level of fat reabsorption into the body whenever a fat transfer is performed—this is completely normal but also hard to predict. For this reason, plastic surgeons will add slightly more fat to the treatment area to account for fat reabsorption. So, initially, patients may worry that their BBL is too big—but it’s only temporary.

Feeding the Fat: How to Ensure the Ideal BBL Result

A BBL involves a lot of fat fluctuation, healing time, and proper aftercare to ensure an ideal result. But that’s true of any body contouring procedure, especially one that involves multiple steps like the BBL. 

You might be thinking that a lot of this seems up to chance, and you’d be half right. While we still can’t predict how much of the transferred fat each patient will reabsorb, we do have some ideas as to how you, as the patient, can help encourage fat cell survival!

One phrase you might come across is “feeding the fat.” This is in reference to your recovery period; while you are in the early stages of recovery, it’s crucial that you eat plenty of healthy, nutrient-dense fats and leafy greens. Avocados, nuts, fish, olive oil—these are all healthy fats that help your body not only heal but retain the voluptuous curves of your new buttocks. 

Another tip is to follow your surgeon’s instructions to the letter, especially when it comes to sleeping, sitting, and exercising. You will not be able to sit or put pressure on your buttocks for quite some time; don’t push the limits! Placing undue pressure on new fat cells can cause reabsorption and potentially affect your results. 

Lastly, stay far away from squats, lunges, or any strenuous exercise for as long as your surgeon requires. Like sitting or putting pressure on your buttocks, strenuous exercise will not only threaten your results, but it can be dangerous too early in your recovery. 

A Brazilian Butt Lift is a transformational procedure that, with a little time, patience, and nurturing, can create a stunning hourglass figure that’s sure to turn heads.

Want to Learn More About Brazilian Butt Lifts in El Paso, TX?

Dr. Marco A. Gonzalez is a board-certified plastic surgeon serving the El Paso community with stunning body contouring results and a kind-hearted bedside manner. If you want to learn more about how Dr. Gonzalez can create a stunning BBL result exactly how you want, call us today at (915) 600-2639 or fill out our contact form to get started.