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If you’re planning to have a Brazilian butt lift (BBL) in the next few months, you have a lot to think about. One area of concern for many patients who plan to undergo this procedure is how it will affect their sleep. They want to know how to sleep after BBL procedure during recovery, when it is critical to avoid any pressure on the backside. Here is some information that will help you be better prepared for a good night’s sleep after your BBL in Houston.
Many patients become interested in a BBL if they have lost volume in the buttocks because of weight loss or aging. Some may have never had the butt they wanted and see a Brazilian butt lift as a way to achieve the shape of their dreams. This procedure uses liposuction, taking fat from other areas of the body, to enhance the shape and size of the buttocks.
The BBL surgeon will determine which areas on the body are the best source for fat from liposuction. Multiple sites may be used if you don’t have a lot of excess fat. The fat is removed during the surgery and grafted. It is injected into the buttocks through a syringe. Multiple injections may be necessary to ensure the fat transfers evenly and provides a rounded, natural-looking appearance.
A BBL surgery is usually done as an outpatient under general anesthesia. The surgery takes around three to six hours, depending on the number of donor sites and injections needed. Once the patient wakes up from the surgery, they will be monitored until they are ready to go home.
Following your procedure, the surgeon will use a compression garment to help with healing. You can expect to have some swelling and bruising at the injection sites as well as from the liposuction. It will be difficult to sit during the first few weeks and you should avoid sitting directly on the buttocks as much as possible. As the swelling goes down and the discomfort diminishes post BBL, you will begin to feel better and more able to resume your normal activities.
To ensure the best results and to prevent complications with the Brazilian butt lift procedure, your surgeon will recommend some limitations. They will restrict your activities for the first six weeks. The surgeon will recommend that you stay off your buttocks from either sitting or laying down for two to six weeks. This allows the fat to graft to the buttocks.
The doctor may recommend sitting on a special cushion to distribute any pressure on the buttocks. Once the swelling goes down, the doctor will recommend activity and even sitting. Most of the time, you will be able to go back to your normal routines in four to six weeks. It will be about three months before you see the full results of the BBL operation.
One of the challenges for patients who undergo a BBL is sleeping. While laying down doesn’t put as much pressure on your buttocks as sitting down after a BBL, you should still be cautious. It’s usually recommended to avoid sleeping on your back for about eight weeks, the same length of time you should avoid sitting. If you sleep on your back too soon or sit on your buttocks, it increases the amount of absorption of fat cells, which means you will have less desirable results. It also exerts more pressure on your buttocks and reduces blood flow, which can lead to issues with the grafting process.
Adding to the complication is the fact that you will be sore in multiple areas. You may feel some soreness at the site of the liposuction as well as in your buttocks. While you will appreciate your new look afterwards, you may have to work to find a comfortable way of sleeping after a BBL for the first couple of weeks.
You may find it more comfortable to lie on your side for sleeping after a BBL, especially if you are naturally a side sleeper. Of course, this will depend on where you had fat removed and injected. If the fat was injected into the hips, sleeping on your side could compromise the results. If you had fat deposits removed from along your sides, you may notice soreness if you try to sleep in this position. In this case, you may want to ask your doctor, “When can I lay on my side after a BBL?” It can take a few days before it will feel comfortable to lie in this position If you’re dealing with soreness from incisions in your sides.
It may be possible to sleep on your stomach after surgery, depending on where fat was transferred from. If liposuction was done on your stomach, sleeping in this position won’t be an option until it heals. However, stomach sleeping may be possible if the fat was removed from the thighs, back, or other areas.
Pillows are an important part of the recovery process for a BBL surgery. You’ll want to have several supportive pillows on hand before your procedure. You can use one between your legs as you sleep on your side. You may find that a donut-shaped pillow makes it easier to lie on your back and sleep without putting pressure on the injection sites. Another option is to place a regular pillow under your thighs, which will take pressure off your buttocks. You may find that you’re groggy and tired after the procedure. To heal quickly, you’ll want to get as much rest as necessary. And if you have some discomfort, you may find it difficult to get enough rest at night for the first few days following the procedure. Plan for extra naps during the day, and experiment to find the best sleeping position.
Create a soothing environment for sleeping. Your body is going to need extra rest to recover from the procedure. Use essential oils, soft music, low lighting, and other features to help you relax when going to bed.
Once you figure out how to sleep after a BBL and lipo, you may be anxious to find out when things can return to normal. It will take a few weeks for the fat to graft to the buttocks and for incision and injection sites to heal. During this time, you should avoid sleeping on your back. It’s best to ask your surgeon before the procedure how to sleep after a BBL and when you can return to your favorite sleep positions. Follow the instructions to ensure you get the best results from your procedure.
Be aware that guidelines may change if you combine procedures. You’ll need to ask specifically about how to sleep after a BBL and tummy tuck as opposed to just having a BBL.
You may have other concerns about a BBL and how it will look after the procedure. You’ll want to get up and move around within a day or two. You can take a shower and fix something to eat, but don’t overdo it. Rest is the most important factor for healing at this point and will help the swelling go down faster.
You will need to feed the fat after the procedure. This means eating enough calories and getting the right nutrition to maintain your fat grafts. It will take between 3 and 6 months for the fat cells to stabilize and look natural. During this time, you can expect to maintain about 50 – 70 percent of the fat cells. The rest will be absorbed into your body.
Once the fat cells have stabilized, you won’t lose your BBL. Over time, the skin expands to fit the newly added fat cells. You will hear this time referred to as the fluffing stage and your rear gets softer and rounder during this period.
If your BBL looks flat after the surgery, it’s most likely because the surgeon used a traditional liposuction technique that rips the fat cells out of their location. If the fat cell membrane is nicked, it can go flat. To avoid issues, choose a board-certified plastic surgeon who has experience in this procedure. Follow their instructions completely to get the best results from your BBL.
If you’re ready to enjoy a new look and shapelier figure, contact us today about a BBL. Dr. Leo Lapuerta is an experienced plastic surgeon with more than two decades in practice, providing exceptional results for patients. He is a leading provider of a tummy tuck in Houston, TX. You can trust your body contouring in Houston to his expertise. Schedule a consultation to get all your questions answered and to plan for your BBL.
