Brazilian Butt Lift Melbourne

What is a Brazilian Butt Lift?

A Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) is a fat transfer surgical procedure, combining two body contouring techniques. Excess unwanted fat is removed from suitable areas of the body such as the waist, abdomen or thighs using Vaser Liposuction. The extracted fat is then injected into the buttock area using fat grafting. The procedure uses your own fat instead of foreign implants to reshape your bottom.

At Cosmos Clinic, we perform all our buttock augmentation surgery using the Vaser Liposuction fat extraction method.

How is a BBL performed?

Depending on the individual patient’s specific needs and circumstances, Brazilian Butt Lift surgery (fat grafting to buttocks) is an invasive procedure performed using a local anaesthesia numbing solution in each of the treated areas, along with deep IV sedation (general anaesthesia).

• Harvesting Fat: Liposuction removes fat cells from specific areas of the body such as the abdomen, love handles, lower back, or thighs. A small incision will be made in each of the areas, after which your doctor will use a cannula to suction out the fat.
• Purifying Fat: The viable fat cells are selected and prepared to be re-injected into the buttocks.
• Fat Grafting: The doctor then transfers the fat into the buttocks using a cannula to augment its shape and volume. Once complete, your doctor will close your liposuction and fat transfer incisions with sutures and apply a compression garment to the operated skin.

What kind of liposuction is used to remove the fat?

Vaser Liposuction is a form of surgical liposuction that uses ultrasound technology and energy waves to break apart and liquify the fat cells for extraction via suction. Vaser Liposuction technology can make the fat cells easier to remove from the body when compared to more traditional liposuction methods, which can help when fat is used for transfer to the buttocks.

Is there any downtime after surgery?

A Fat Transfer is a surgical procedure, and it is recommended to take at least two weeks off work after surgery to allow your body to rest and have downtime. To help with blood circulation in the treated area during the recovery period, you will need to avoid sitting directly on your butt for at least two weeks. If you must sit, be sure to use a BBL pillow or sit forward on your thighs.

After a Brazilian Butt Lift procedure, you will also need to wear compression garments for a minimum of six weeks to help with swelling and support skin retraction.

Who is a candidate for surgery?

A Fat Transfer to Buttock Lift can be an option for women and men who want a buttock augmentation without the use of butt implants. Suitability is determined by the doctor during the initial consultations and can include factors such as:

• If you are in good physical and mental health.
• If you have realistic expectations regarding what could be achieved for you with surgery, and your result expectations are not based on the final results of others.
• If you are at a stable, healthy weight.
• If you have good skin elasticity and tone.
• If you have enough fat stores to harvest and transfer.
• If you do not smoke or are willing to quit before and after surgery.

To determine if you are a candidate for a Brazilian Butt Lift procedure, please contact us to schedule your initial consultations with our doctors at Cosmos Clinic.

How much does a BBL cost?

The cost of buttock augmentation will vary between patients, depending on individual factors such as:

• Doctor’s Fees: This is the fee to perform the procedure which varies depending on body type, the areas of the body and the amount of time spent in surgery.
• Anaesthetist’s Fees: This is the fee to administer your anaesthetic and is determined by the qualifications and experience of the anaesthetist. The cost for general anaesthesia is higher than local.
• Hospital Fees: Your hospital fees will comprise of the time spent in the operating theatre and the time needed to recover from anaesthesia.

To receive an accurate quote for your individual needs, please contact us for a consultation, and to understand the steps involved to undergo fat transfer surgery.

How long does BBL surgery take?

Buttock augmentation is an invasive procedure that can take anywhere from two to four hours depending on the individual patient’s needs, the number of areas being treated, and the amount of fat transferred.

What to expect after a BBL procedure?

A Brazilian Butt Lift procedure is a surgical procedure most commonly performed as day surgery depending on each patient’s specific needs and individual circumstances. Undergoing a BBL is an invasive procedure, and your butt will be swollen and may look considerably bigger than what you expected following surgery. This is normal, as slightly more fat is usually injected than needed, as an average of 80 percent of the fat cells survive.

Over the following weeks and months of the recovery period, you will start to see a more accurate result for the shape and size of your enhanced butt. You will experience some pain and discomfort after surgery, which can be managed with prescribed pain medication. Detailed and comprehensive aftercare instructions and what to expect throughout the recovery period will be provided to you, and discussed in depth with your doctor.

Why can’t I sit after buttock lift surgery?

It is critical that you give the newly transferred fat cells the best chance of establishing a blood supply and surviving the procedure. Therefore, to preserve the fat cells, you must avoid putting any direct pressure on your bottom for two weeks following surgery, which means you should not sit, lie down on your back or drive. Sitting directly on your butt can impact blood circulation in the area. A decrease in blood circulation may destroy the fat cells transferred to the buttocks and affect your results. If you must sit, be sure to use a BBL pillow or sit forward on your thighs.

What amount of fat will survive in my buttocks?

The amount of fat that survives the fat transfer process is dependent on numerous factors. To increase the chance of fat survival, the suction pressure used to liposuction fat should be kept low to minimise trauma.

Patients will also need to take steps to support fat survival. This includes wearing your compression garments, caring for the fat injection sites, minimising direct pressure on the area, and avoiding dramatic weight fluctuations.

What are the risks and side effects of fat transfer surgery?

Every cosmetic procedure comes with risk, including a Fat Transfer Buttock Lift surgery. Some of the potential risks, side effects, and complications from buttock augmentation surgery can include:

• Persistent swelling
• Bruising and bleeding
• Pain and aching
• Asymmetry
• Infection
• Poor scarring
• Fluid accumulation under the skin
• Skin discolouration
• Changes in skin sensation
• Death of fat cells, resulting in the need for revision surgery
• Fat embolism in the heart or lungs

Will I have scars?

Scarring will always occur with cosmetic surgery including with Vaser Liposuction and buttock augmentation. The incisions required to insert the cannulas into both the donor site for liposuction and transfer site for fat grafting are small. Depending on the individual patient and their scarring history, the final result and the appearance of the scars will vary.

How long do the results last?

The final results from a BBL vary depending on a wide range of factors and the individual patient’s lifestyle, genetics, and result expectations. Factors that can impact on the longevity of results can include but are not limited to:

• Following all aftercare instructions, including wearing the compression garments.
• Avoid direct pressure such as sitting for the first two weeks after surgery.
• Maintain a stable weight, significant weight fluctuations can affect your results.
• Do not smoke, this can impair the blood circulation that’s crucial to establish a blood supply to your new fat cells.
• Eat good food. Fat cells appreciate nutrient-dense foods, so make sure to get plenty of fresh fruits, veggies, healthy fats and carbs into your diet.

Where does the fat come from?

The ideal liposuction sites for fat injections into the buttocks will depend on where you have enough excess fat available to harvest. This can vary from patient to patient; however, common donor sites include the abdomen, thighs, back and hips. During your initial consultations at Cosmos Clinic, the doctor will help determine where you have an appropriate amount of fat in the areas of the body being considered. They will also undertake a comprehensive review of your medical history to ensure you are a suitable candidate for this procedure.

What is the difference between a Brazilian Butt Lift and buttock implants?

Brazilian Butt Lift surgery with Vaser Liposuction uses your own fat for buttock augmentation and to increase size. Whereas, buttock implants are a plastic surgery procedure, using silicone materials to be implanted into the buttock area to improve size and shape.

Buttock implants may be an option, if you don’t have enough autologous fat cells to harvest with liposuction. If you are considering buttock implants instead of a BBL procedure, you must always consult with a plastic surgeon and discuss buttock implant risks including capsular contracture, implants moving, and possible infection.

Can I get BBL surgery if I don’t have much fat on my body?

If you don’t have enough fat to transfer to the buttocks, you may have options. The first could be to gain weight until you have enough fat cells to remove with liposuction. However, gaining weight is not always advised, as maintaining a higher weight is also usually required. If you are unable to gain weight and maintain a higher weight, you may need to consult with a plastic surgeon for buttock implants, or a non-surgical butt lift with Volume Enhancement Treatments.