The issue of BBL safety is a hot topic at the moment especially given the potential risks and complications associated with the procedure. When carried out by expert BBL surgeons, the Brazilian butt lift is a very safe procedure. Previously, most body contouring procedures centred around either the removal of fat with liposuction or excess skin removal as part of a tummy tuck. Nowadays many patients would prefer to have a volume enhancement option without the need for artificial implants. The solution has come in the form of fat transfer. For many patients wishing to have an amazing hourglass shape, this can be achieved with a Brazilian butt lift that involves both liposuction and fat transfer.
What does a Brazilian Butt Lift involve?
The Brazilian butt lift procedure involves a combination of liposuction and fat transfer also known as fat grafting. Fat transfer involves the removal of fat from an area of the body with excess fat deposits followed by the injection of this fat into the desired part of the body such as the buttocks or the breasts. The most common areas for liposuction as part of a fat transfer procedure include the abdomen, thighs, hips and back. The fat must undergo an additional step of purification before being injected to remove impurities such as oil and excess water. The end result is a wonderfully contoured hourglass figure with a flatter looking abdomen.
What are the different types of Brazilian Butt Lift or BBL?
Compared with more invasive types of cosmetic surgery such as a tummy tuck, the benefit of a Brazilian butt lift is that it does not involve a significant scar burden with patients being very unlikely to notice their scars six months after the procedure. This is because the incisions are only to permit access for the cannulas for liposuction and fat transfer which are no more than 3 to 4 mm in length.
How visible will BBL scars be?
Is BBL safe?
Many patients quite rightfully ask whether the Brazilian butt lift is a safe procedure to have done given the growing number of complications from patients who have had the procedure carried out overseas. The key to remember here is that choosing a BBL surgeon on the basis of cost alone may increase the risks of the procedure. This is because they may not have the necessary skills and experience to carry out the surgery and the medical facility itself may not reach the exacting standards to be found in UK clinics and hospitals.
There are a number of aspects of the BBL surgery that your surgeon needs to appropriately plan and this depends on having specialised expertise. Our BBL surgeons have many years of experience in carrying out BBL surgery and will plan a procedure based on how much that can be safely removed and how much can be safely injected without increasing the risk of fat necrosis. Although it is commonly thought that the buttock is composed mainly of fat, a large component of the buttock is made up of underlying gluteal muscle and if this area is inadvertently injected, the risk of complications including fat embolism is very high. It is absolutely crucial that the surgeon always injects in the correct layer at all times and never into the muscle layer which lies at a deeper level. Our surgeons make use of the ultrasound-guided BBL technique to increase BBL safety to levels not attained at other clinics. Another key aspect involves avoiding over injection of fat to minimise the risk of fat necrosis. Injecting too much fat prevents an adequate blood supply from supplying fat cells. These fat cells which are deprived of the blood supply then die which may increase the risk of subsequent infection.
It’s important to remember that the Brazilian butt lift is a safe procedure when it is carried out by an appropriately skilled and experienced surgeon in fully accredited medical facilities. Your BBL surgeon should’ve carried out at least 50 BBL procedures to build up their experience and competence in the procedure. The medical facility itself should also be supported by an experienced preoperative and post-operative nursing team who are experts at looking after BBL patients. The importance of having realistic expectations cannot be underestimated and the consultation with your surgeon forms the foundation for treatment planning. Planning a BBL procedure as thoroughly as possible gives you the best possible chance of getting the best outcome with minimal risks.
At Centre for Surgery in London, our BBL surgeons carry out over 150 Brazilian butt lift procedures each year. If this is the procedure you are interested in having, we would always advise a face-to-face consultation so that you can be fully assessed with both a medical history and physical examination. Once you have been assessed, your surgeon will be able to explain the full risks and benefits of the BBL procedure and take your needs and preferences into account when planning the surgical procedure itself.
