BRAZILIAN BUTT LIFT
Fat Transfer to the Buttocks
A Brazilian Butt Lift is an option to create a more shapely rear by transferring fat from areas such as the stomach to the buttocks and hips.
The procedure includes liposuction of fat from somewhere on your body where you don’t want it (typically the stomach and sides) and the injection of the collected fat back into the buttocks and hips.
Augmenting your buttocks with your own body fat can look very natural, and because the fat is from your own body, there is little chance of infection or rejection. Grafted fat takes on the characteristics of the location where it is injected.
Generally, after three months, the fat that has not been absorbed by the body will remain permanently in the bum.
Brazilian butt lift techniques have improved over time, so that fat survival rates of 80% are now possible when using the most advanced fat filtration and fat grafting techniques. * Individual results will vary from person to person.
RESULTS
RESULTS
Patients will see a significant difference immediately after surgery. The results are subtle, with a natural-looking curve and a more pronounced shape.
Swelling may initially add to the buttock volume, however, this will subside over a period of one month.
Buttocks will settle after six weeks and fat remaining after three months will be permanent.
Improvement in the condition of tissues will continue for up to 18 months.
It is difficult to predict how much of the transferred fat will survive as this varies from person to person.
To increase the survival rate of the transferred fat, we utilise several advanced technologies, including Lipivage (explained further below).
It is recommended that patients give up smoking at least six weeks before surgery, eat a healthy balanced diet and be in optimal health before surgery.
Patients who are concerned that they may have insufficient fat to transfer to the buttocks are advised not to try to gain additional fat before the surgery.
If necessary, fat can be taken from several locations, including the upper and lower abdomen, the sides (flanks), the lower back, the arms and upper thighs.
FAT COLLECTION PROCESS
Fat is generally taken from the stomach, flanks, hips, and thighs using a fine vibrating cannula which is less invasive and better protects the living fat cells.
Fat is filtered moved from donor to recipient site (from the stomach to the buttocks) through a closed system called Lipivage which protects the fat from contamination and lowers damage to the fat cells to ensure better fat survival.
Fat particles are then injected into the buttock layers through small incisions on each side. Fat droplets are smoothed through muscle layers so the fat cells gain a good blood supply ensuring the best chance for survival.
A layering technique will create smooth, more rounded buttock without irregularities, giving a significant but natural increase in buttock volume.
Our surgeons take donor fat from the abdomen, thighs and upper and outer buttock areas to produce a lifted and more curvaceous shape.
Individual results may vary from patient to patient; however, the amount of fat transferred to each buttock averages about 300 to 350 cc of fat after filtering out impurities.
As the amount of donor fat required is substantial (700cc or more, i.e. 500g or over 1 pound of fat), the procedure is not suitable for those with low levels of body fat.
For those patients that do have sufficient body fat, the fat transfer method may be the best option for adding volume to the buttocks. In the absence of sufficient fat, buttock implants or buttock injections may be more suitable options.
Loss of buttock fat due to ageing, or significant weight loss, may result in flatter buttocks. Fat grafting, also called lipofilling, can add curvature to the buttock region providing the appearance of fuller buttocks. During your consultation with the surgeon, you can discuss the best options to achieve your desired outcome.
Fat grafting can be enhanced by using Platelets and growth factors from your blood in the form of Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) which may improve fat cell healing and survival.
LIPIVAGE SYSTEM
LIPIVAGE SYSTEM
To ensure the highest rate of fat survival Harley Buttock Clinic uses a Puregraft or Lipivage system of fat processing and purification.
With Lipivage fat transfer graft, viscosity is more consistent and free of contaminants, allowing a precise result.
These methods are superior to gravity separation, and fractional centrifugation (which can destroy fat) in filtering out blood, free lipids and excess fluid.
Use of the LipiVage system increases long-term fat survival rates significantly and reduces inflammatory reaction and fat necrosis.
In some cases, Puregraft fat filtration will be used. Explanation material: promotional video (new window) – clinicians video (new window).
RECOVERY PERIOD
RECOVERY PERIOD
There may be swelling immediately after the procedure as well as some bruising. Swelling and bruising will subside within a week or two.
Overall patients experience only moderate discomfort after fat grafting. After the swelling goes down, in a week or two, you will have a clearer idea of the degree to which the buttocks have been augmented.
It will take up to 3 months to tell how much fat has survived from the procedure, and, therefore, how much fat will remain permanently. Small incisions from the liposuction in the fat donor area and in the transfer area will heal over a week or two.
You may need to wear a body garment on the liposuctioned area for a few weeks; however, you can usually go back to work after one week.
CONSULTATION
CONSULTATION
The first step in considering a Brazilian Butt Lift is to book a consultation with a cosmetic surgeon to discuss your options.
Your consultation will be with an experienced buttock surgeon who will be able to answer any questions you may have regarding the procedure, including the possible side effects and expected results.
The consultation is designed to be as informative as possible, answering all the questions you may have about BBL, and the doctor will also explain alternatives to BBL.
Your cosmetic surgeon will ask you about your general physical condition, your medical history, and discuss your expectations and desired results.
The cosmetic surgeon will also be able to tell you what is, and what isn’t possible, in your specific case.
The results of Brazilian Butt Lift surgery depend partly on specific factors related to your buttocks and the surrounding area, including the condition and elasticity of the skin and your general health. Ideally, a patient will give up smoking six weeks before the procedure to improve the survival rate of the transferred fat.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it possible to perform a BBL using a local anaesthetic?
Yes, however, there are some significant downsides:
- The patient will likely experience significant pain, regardless of the amount of local anaesthetic used.
- The surgeon may not be able to access the areas they would like to, due to patient discomfort.
- Lidocaine (local anaesthetic) is toxic to fat cells and stem cells and will reduce the amount of fat that survives, meaning multiple sessions of fat transfer may be required if performed under local anaesthetic.
A Brazilian Butt Lift is an operation to restore or reshape the buttocks to provide fuller, firmer buttocks, or correct deformities and asymmetry, by grafting your own body fat into the tissues of the buttocks.
Fat is harvested from areas where excess fat is of concern, commonly the love handles, abdomen and thighs. The fat is carefully handled to protect the fat cells, before being injected into the buttocks through one or two very small incisions using a thin cannula.
The procedure should be fairly atraumatic, reducing the incidence of complications and maximising the healing of the fat cells.
Restricted activities are advised for 2 weeks following a Brazilian Butt Lift.
Wearing a support garment is recommended for the first 3 weeks day and night, then during the day for a further 3 weeks.
The Brazilian Buttock Lift (BBL) is a procedure in which fat is taken from another part of the body, then injected into the buttocks. However, surgeons today warn it has the highest death rate (thought to be as high as 1 in 3,000 operations)[2] of all cosmetic surgery procedures, due to the risk of injecting fat into large veins that can travel to the heart or brain and cause severe illness and death.
Mild discomfort, swelling and bruising can occur.
Some irregularity may occur at the site of fat harvest requiring additional treatment(s), such as Velashape or additional fat sculpting.
Infection is rare (<0.1%) following fat transfer to the buttocks. A course of antibiotics will be given at the time of your treatment.
Some altered sensation around the treatment area and the site of the fat harvest is common and is expected to resolve in 6 – 8 weeks.
A Brazilian Bum Lift provides a long-lasting or permanent improvement.
However, anywhere from 20 – 40% of the grafted fat may fail to survive, requiring an additional procedure after approximately 3 months in order to achieve the optimum results.
Improvement in fullness and shape will be seen immediately following treatment. Any swelling will resolve in 2 weeks but return to normal feeling from 4 – 6 weeks.
It will take 3 months for the grafted fat to stabilise in the area(s) treated.
Minimal discomfort is expected following the treatment and no bruising should occur with the careful techniques used. Any mild bruising will usually resolve after 1 to 2 weeks.
The treated area(s) may feel tender – moderate discomfort for the first 3 – 5 days.
Mild discomfort is expected for 2 weeks.
The initial consultation will determine the goals of treatment, and make a note of any associated abnormalities or asymmetry, in order to develop the optimum treatment for an ideal result in each patient.
The treatment is carried out under local or general anaesthetic, as a day case.
Fat grafting can be enhanced by using your our platelets from your blood in the form of Platelet Rich Plasma PRP, to enhance fat cell healing and survival.
This is performed at the same time as the fat grafting.
A detailed assessment to determine your goals and options can only be carried out at the time of the consultation.
If you do not have sufficient fat for harvesting then Hyaluronic acid buttock injections or buttock implants may be a more suitable option.
A Brazilian Butt Lift / Fat Transfer to the Buttocks is performed to improve the shape and volume of your buttocks using your own fat. You will also benefit from removing fat from areas where you don’t want it (fat donor sites).
Fat grafting uses your own fat cells (autologous fat) to enhance your buttocks. Since the fat cells are your own, there is almost no risk of rejection or adverse reactions.
The fat transferred to the buttocks will feel and behave naturally and there is no risk of implant failure or damage as with buttock implants.
Although 1 or 2 treatments with fat transfer may be required to achieve the optimum shape or fullness, the results of fat transfer to the buttocks are permanent.
Significant weight gain may compromise the buttock augmentation results.
Patients are advised to maintain a healthy lifestyle with a nutritious diet and regular exercise to ensure optimal aesthetic results of the surgery.
In cases in which the patient does not have sufficient fat, it may not be possible to locate enough fat on the body to transfer.
In this instance, we recommend either silicone gel buttock implants or the use of hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers such as HYAcorp.
Fat transfer is advisable if the patient has sufficient free fat on the body that can be liposuctioned out and transferred to the buttocks.
The advantage of this method is that it is possible to move fat from areas on the body on which it isn’t wanted (the belly for example) to areas on which you would rather have it (the buttocks).
In effect, you have two surgical procedures, a liposuction and a buttock augmentation using your own body fat. It is also important to note that fat transfers are only a semi-permanent solution, not all of the fat transferred to the body will last permanently, and the patient may need to return in a few years time for an additional fat transfer.
* Individual results may vary from person to person.
Dr Gary Horn is a highly acclaimed Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon with over 25 years of experience in buttock augmentation and reshaping with buttock implants and fat transfer. Dr Horn is a registered Plastic Surgeon in the UK (GMC 4267803) and Belgium.
SPECIALITIES: General Plastic Surgery, Cosmetic Plastic Surgery
LANGUAGES: English, French
GENERAL MEDICAL COUNCIL NUMBER: 4267803
MEDICAL PROCEDURES:
Dr Horn is qualified to perform a large range of procedures, including:
Buttock Implant Surgery (Gluteoplasty), Fat Transfer to Buttocks (Brazilian Butt Lift), Gluteal Sculpting (Brazilian Butt Lift without fat transfer), Buttock Injections (using Hyaluronic Acid)
PUBLICATIONS:
Gluteoplasty with intramuscular silicone cohesive gel implants: a retrospective study of 50 cases.
For a comprehensive list of publications please see Dr Horn’s Linkedin.