Why have a Brazilian butt lift?

The shape and proportion of a person’s buttocks are largely determined by genetics; both your skeletal structure and how your body stores fat influence the appearance of the lower body. A healthy diet and exercise can work to achieve a healthy body weight and tone the muscles, but many patients remain unhappy with a “flat” buttocks that lacks shape, despite a healthy lifestyle.

Brazilian butt lift surgery can help overcome the effects of genetics by reshaping the buttocks and surrounding areas, such as the hips, lower back, and thighs. You might consider a Brazilian butt lift to:

• Enhance the curves of your lower body
• Reduce fat pockets on your hips, thighs or belly while adding fullness to the buttocks
• Help clothing fit more attractively
• Give a more youthful, aesthetically pleasing shape to flat buttocks
• Enhance your overall proportions by improving balance between your upper and lower body

Am I a good candidate for a Brazilian butt lift?

A Brazilian butt lift can be a great option to improve the shape and size of the buttocks; however, certain patients are better suited to the procedure, and it is important to have realistic expectations about the surgery, recovery, and results. In general, you are likely a good candidate for a Brazilian butt lift if you agree with the following:

• You want a buttock augmentation without implants
• You have good skin tone in the hips and buttocks
• You have adequate fat stores in other areas to harvest for injection into the buttocks
• You are willing and able to avoid sitting directly on your buttocks for several weeks

What is involved in Brazilian butt lift surgery?

A Brazilian butt lift involves three basic steps:

• Fat is removed from the hips, lower back, thighs, abdomen, and/or other areas with liposuction
• The extracted fat is purified and prepared for transfer
• The cosmetic surgeon injects fat into specific points on the buttocks to increase volume and improve shape

Surgery is typically performed as an outpatient procedure, using general anesthesia or intravenous sedation and local anesthesia. It is typical for a portion of the injected fat not to “take” in its new location—an experienced cosmetic surgeon will take this into account and may initially inject a slightly greater amount of fat into the buttocks than is needed to ensure your final results most closely achieve your goals.

Recovering after your Brazilian butt lift

Having an operation on the buttocks requires some special modifications during recovery. While pain is typically minimal and easily controlled through pain medication, you will not be allowed to sit or lie directly on your buttocks for about 2 weeks after a Brazilian butt lift.

During this time, you will need to sleep on your stomach or side, and either lie this way or stand for all activity except using the toilet. When you are ready, your cosmetic surgeon will allow you to sit in a modified position, using a “donut” seat or placing a pillow under your thighs to avoid pressure on the buttocks. Normal sitting activity is typically allowed after 8 weeks or so.

Given you follow your cosmetic surgeon’s instructions, you should be able to resume light daily activities within 1 week after surgery and return to work within 10 to 14 days.

Life after Brazilian butt lift surgery

Brazilian butt lift results are meant to last for many years. Fat cells removed with liposuction will not return to the area, and fat cells that survive transfer to the buttocks will remain for years to come. However, significant weight fluctuations can affect your results, so maintain a stable weight to keep your results looking their best.

Results are typically final within 6 months of surgery, after residual swelling has gone away and you are fully healed. By this time, your curvier buttocks and improved lower body proportions will be noticeable in how you look and in the way clothing fits.

When performed by a qualified cosmetic surgeon, a Brazilian butt lift is a rewarding procedure with long-lasting results. The best way to learn more is to meet with a board certified cosmetic surgeon for a consultation.