Let’s talk buttock procedures. If you’ve been considering a Brazilian butt lift, you probably came across buttocks implants in your search. These procedures often get mistaken for one another, but they have notable differences. At The Plastic Surgery Center, Dr. Forrest Wall’s board-certified knowledge can help determine which option is best for you.
Brazilian butt lifts use your own fat cells from another part of the body. Buttock implants are made of silicone. This difference greatly affects the results of each procedure.
What is a Brazilian butt lift?
A Brazilian butt lift process involves transferring fat from one area of the body, like the thighs, and moving it to the buttock area. Patients can choose to have excess fat removed from “problem areas” to form a shape they prefer. There are three simple steps involved in a Brazilian butt lift process.
- The plastic surgeon removes fat from areas like the abdomen, thighs, or hips with liposuction.
- The fat stores are extracted and prepared for transfer.
- The plastic surgeon injects the stores of fat into the buttock to achieve the desired shape. This is also called fat grafting.
Who is a good candidate for a Brazilian butt lift?
A Brazilian butt lift is a great option for improving your shape and reducing fat in other areas. Some patients will do better with the process than others, so it’s important to have realistic expectations. Patients who agree with the below statements are likely good candidates.
- You want buttock augmentation, but without implants.
- Your skin tone around the area is even.
- Your fat stores around the area are usable.
- You are comfortable with and will undergo anesthesia.
- You can and are willing to avoid sitting on your buttocks potentially for several weeks.
Are you a Brazilian butt lift candidate?
As we mentioned before, some patients do well with the Brazilian butt lift process. Others may not be good candidates. If you are an ideal candidate, your plastic surgeon will likely consider the following.
- You are unhappy with your shape and realistic about the potential outcome.
- Your natural volume or shape has declined because of age or weight loss.
- You want to augment your shape without implants.
- Your fat stores in other areas are usable for the procedure.
- You do not have medical conditions that interfere with the healing process.
- You have plenty of recovery time and can avoid sitting after the surgery.
The Brazilian butt lift process is not for everyone. Consider the above when talking to your plastic surgeon about the process, and find out it involves.
What are the risks involved for a Brazilian butt lift?
As with any surgical procedure, a butt lift comes with its own risks. Common risks associated with this procedure include bruising, stretch marks, infection, blood clots, and fat embolism. There are ways to reduce these risks, and we encourage you to seek guidance from board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Forrest Wall.
Discuss with your surgeon why you want the procedure done, as well as your desired outcome. This can aid your surgeon in determining the best course of action. Always discuss which medications you are currently taking, as well as how often you use alcohol or tobacco. Disclose any pre-existing conditions you may have, as these can greatly affect surgery.
Allow your surgeon to examine photos of your body from different angles. Collaborate with them on your desired outcome and best course of action. It’s always important to be on the same page as your surgeon. Lastly, be frank with your surgeon about your concerns, and make sure you understand the risks involved.
Your surgeon should always provide a comfortable environment for their patients. They should always be up-front with you about the nature of the procedure, and fully go over all consent forms before proceeding.
How painful is a Brazilian butt lift?
The Brazilian butt lift is an outpatient procedure that involves anesthesia, which means you won’t have an extended stay at your clinic. As with any surgery, you might worry about recovery pains. You should expect some soreness, bruising, and swelling, but only temporarily.
If your pain is severe, you can take pain medications to ease your discomfort. If your pain lingers too long or is very severe, contact your doctor right away.
The best way to ensure good post-op results is to follow your surgeon’s instructions. Wear your compression garment to minimize swelling and fluid retention. Sit only when absolutely necessary, and use the special pillow provided by your surgeon.
Can I sit after a Brazilian butt lift?
During your first 7-10 days after surgery, you should refrain from sitting as much as possible. Your surgeon will provide you with a special compression garment, as well as a pillow. You should always use your pillow if it’s necessary that you sit.
From weeks 2 to 6, you will feel your pain and swelling go down, but you should still refrain from sitting until otherwise authorized by your surgeon. This is generally the time period during which you can resume driving, and you can start to sit for brief periods.
After week 6, most patients will recover enough to exercise without restrictions and to sit for longer periods. At this time, results are final, and patients can fully appreciate their new shape.
Do compression garments put too much pressure on the transplanted fat cells?
Compression garments need to fit snugly, but not feel tight. They should feel like a bandage wrapped around the area. The garments should not leave indentations in the skin or cause any discomfort around the surgery areas.
Your plastic surgeon will assign a comfortable garment according to your procedure. Always notify your surgeon if you experience any discomfort or pain, and they will replace your garments.
If you have questions about body contouring or buttock procedures, contact our office to learn more.
