Brazilian Butt Lift Surgery: Before and After Pictures

Brazilian butt lift (BBL) surgery—also known as gluteal fat grafting or butt lift surgery—uses specialized fat transfer to create a fuller, rounder contour of the buttocks.

This article will discuss what a BBL is, how it is done, the benefits of the surgery, risks and side effects, costs, and other things you need to know when considering a BBL procedure.

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A BBL is usually performed as an outpatient procedure. Typically, general anesthesia is used, or it may be done using intravenous sedation and local anesthesia.

The three main steps of the procedure are:

Initially, more fat than is needed may be injected because it is common for some of the injected fat not to "take."

It can take up to six months after surgery to see the final results. After this, the results of the surgery can last for years. Significant weight fluctuations may affect the results.

The benefits of a BBL are purely aesthetic. There is no "ideal" body shape. The benefits of a BBL are determined by the desired effects of the person getting the BBL.

A BBL can come with significant risks. It has the highest mortality rate of all cosmetic procedures. In 2017, it was determined that the most significant risk of death was from a pulmonary fat embolism (PFE).

After this discovery, an Aesthetic Surgery Education and Research Foundation (ASERF) task force issued important safety recommendations for the procedure, including:

Adhering to these guidelines can reduce the risks of BBL surgery. Using ultrasound-guided BBL tools for injecting fat can also help avoid blood vessels.

Important safety considerations to consider for a BBL include:

All surgery has potential risks. Some general surgical risks are:

In addition to the general risks of surgery, some risks and complications are specific to the BBL procedure. These include:

You may have dressings or bandages applied to your incisions. An elastic bandage or supportive garment may minimize swelling and support your operation site. A thin tube may temporarily be placed under your skin to drain excess fluid or blood.

When recovering from a BBL procedure, you will be advised not to sit or lie directly on your buttocks (except when using the toilet), for about two weeks. You must lie on your stomach or side or stand during this time. When your surgeon determines you are ready, you can use a "donut" seat or a pillow under your thighs to create a modified seated position that reduces pressure on the buttocks. You can usually begin to sit normally after about eight weeks.

Light activity can usually be resumed within a week of surgery. You should be able to return to work in about 10 to 14 days. Check with your surgeon before returning to your normal activities or returning to work.

Your surgeon will give you postoperative instructions, and you must follow them carefully. This may include information about:

Be aware that even without complications, there may be visible scarring. Talk to your surgeon before the procedure to make sure you have realistic expectations of what the area will look like post-surgery.

In addition to recommended follow-ups, contact your surgeon immediately if you experience:

According to the 2021 Aesthetic Plastic Surgery National Databank Statistics, the average buttock augmentation (procedures including fat grafting and implants) cost is $4,004.

Costs can vary due to geographic location, type of surgery, and the surgeon's experience.

Additional costs exist, which may include:

Over the past decade, BBL surgery has been the fastest growing aesthetic surgical procedure. The number increased by 252% between 2000 (1,356) and 2015 (4,767).

BBL surgery is not appropriate for everyone. It may not be suitable for you if you are:

You may be a good candidate for BBL surgery if you:

If BBL surgery is not a good option for you, another buttock-augmentation procedure may be a way to achieve your desired results.

With buttock implants, silicone-filled devices are surgically implanted within the tissues of the buttocks. General anesthesia or intravenous sedation is used. The implants are placed through incisions, with method and positioning depending on several factors the surgeon determines.

Results are visible immediately; with time, swelling goes down, and incision lines will fade.

Liposuction is a surgery that removes excess fat deposits and refines the body's shape. It is performed with general anesthesia, intravenous sedation, or local anesthesia, depending on the specifics of the procedure.

A cannula (thin tube) is inserted through small incisions in the treatment area(s). Excess fat is loosened and then suctioned out. The procedure takes under an hour to three or longer, depending on the areas treated.

Sculptra is a biodegradable collagen biostimulator called poly-L-lactic acid. It is used to stimulate collagen formation and gradually restore volume. It is primarily associated with facial rejuvenation but can be used for other aesthetic applications, such as butt augmentation.

Choosing the right provider for BBL surgery is very important. A 2023 study found that South Florida has the highest mortality rate in the nation for BBL surgery. 92% of these deaths occurred in high-volume, budget clinics, largely owned and operated by business people. These clinics offered a lower cost for the procedure, which they made profitable by performing as many procedures as possible as quickly as possible and minimizing interaction with patients.

This experience is not unique to South Florida. Unqualified surgeons offering low prices, and making false claims of expertise, contribute to the high mortality and complications rate of BBL surgery.

When choosing a surgeon for BBL surgery:

The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery offers a search tool on its website to help you find providers in your area.

A BBL procedure removes fat from an area of the body and injects it strategically into the buttocks to change the shape and volume of the buttocks.

It's important to choose a surgeon carefully. Make sure the surgeon is certified by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery and has extensive training and experience performing BBLs, also that the surgical facility is accredited.

American Board of Cosmetic Surgery. Brazilian butt lift.

Pazmiño P, Garcia O. Brazilian butt lift–associated mortality: the South Florida experience. Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2023;43(2):162-178. doi:10.1093/asj/sjac224

American Board of Cosmetic Surgery. Are brazilian butt lifts safe?

Aesthetic Society. Butt lift - safety considerations.

Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons. Buttocks lift.

National Health Service. Surgical fat transfer.

American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Buttock enhancement.

American Society of Plastic Surgeons. New statistics reflect the changing face of plastic surgery.

American Board of Cosmetic Surgery. Learn more about liposuction.

Sarubi J, Guarnieri C, Del Nero MP, et al. Targeted and individualized gluteal poly-l-lactic acid injection for optimal aesthetic results in the gluteal region. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2023;16(6):30-36.

By Heather JonesHeather M. Jones is a freelance writer with a strong focus on health, parenting, disability,and feminism.