Dr Brian Monaisa
The Brazilian butt lift (BBL) is a cosmetic procedure that has gained significant attention, partly due to its popularity among celebrities and on social media platforms. Simply put, the BBL refers to body liposuction combined with fat transfer to the buttock or hip areas.
The BBL is about body shape and not buttock size, and is safe and suitable for all races and body types. The goal of a good BBL is about cinching the waist in harmony with enhancing the hip and buttock silhouette, aiming to create a continuous S-curve!
It was developed by Dr Igor Pitanguy in Brazil in the 1960’s and has probably been done by more Brazilian women than African or Asian. It is currently one of the most popular procedures in Asia, while the French Butt Lift involves the addition of a small implant as well as fat to achieve this desired silhouette. Enhancing your natural silhouette will never go out of fashion.
There are a few more myths that we will address in this article. The main myths are:
The BBL is dangerous!
The biggest myth is the belief that BBLs are extremely dangerous. While any surgical procedure involves risks, the dangers associated with BBLs are avoidable. With their desire to achieve better fat survival, some surgeons injected fat into the buttock muscles instead of just under the skin.
This led to the fat entering the large blood vessels in the bum and causing fat embolism, which can be fatal. This is easily avoidable by only injecting the fat into the layer under the skin and not the muscle. Also, avoid BBL centres where the doctors may be performing more such procedures in a day than is safe. In Florida Miami, plastic surgeons are legally limited to a maximum three per day.
The BBL must be huge!
This is a really sad one because it has made people who are unhappy about their current butt shape shy to ask about a BBL. Popular culture has shaped this narrative that the BBL should look like a rugby players shoulder, but nothing could be more wrong! A skinny BBL is often done in people who want to focus more on enhancing the shape instead of the size of the butt and hip. The goal is to create a sinuous “s” silhouette, and not necessarily a giant bum.
The BBL smells!
The haters! Most people who say that a BBL smells have never seen one up close. The procedure is done under sterile conditions and once a patient is healed, complications and complaints are very rare. Beware of backyard BBLs! Sometimes those “doctors” inject paraffin or silicone into the buttock while promising great results. This can be disastrous. Ask our surgeon for evidence that they’re registered with the HPCSA, as a plastic surgeon.
The BBL doesn’t last!
This is not true. Post-operative care is essential for a successful BBL. Patients typically need to avoid sitting directly on their buttocks for several weeks to prevent pressure on the newly transferred fat. Special compression garments are often worn to reduce swelling and support the affected areas during healing. About 20% of the injected fat is reabsorbed into the body. The remaining 80% that survives and persists is permanent. An additional benefit is that this fat will continue to grow if the client gains weight, which maintains the same silhouette.
Another common myth is that BBLs are exclusive to celebrities or the wealthy. In reality, the procedure is accessible to a diverse demographic, with many clinics offering financing options to accommodate different budgets. The entire process, from liposuction to fat transfer, requires a skilled and experienced surgeon, as the technique and artistry involved significantly impact the final result. Patients considering a BBL should thoroughly research and select a board-certified plastic surgeon with a track record of successful BBL procedures.