When considering any cosmetic surgery, your first thought is likely to be whether it’s safe. It’s no different with the Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL), which is designed to give your rear a lifted and more rounded appearance. When you ask “Are BBLs safe?”, the answer is not as simple as you might expect. Here is everything you need to know about BBLs.
Contact us today to learn more on the importance of choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon for your cosmetic procedures, and how double-board certified Houston Surgeon Dr. Leo Lapuerta can help you today.
Are BBLs Safe?
The BBL procedure first involves liposuction being performed on fatty areas of the body, with the fat tissue reinjected into the buttocks. Expect about two weeks for recovery while the results will last long-term. The doctor will use a compression garment to help with the recovery. You should expect swelling and bruising in the area and avoid sitting or lying on your back for between two and six weeks after the surgery to allow time for healing. Once the swelling goes down, you can sit on a special cushion to protect the area where the procedure was performed. After recovery, you will enjoy a newly sculpted backside with more volume.
What are the Risks for BBL Surgery?
One of the main and most serious risks with BBL surgery is pulmonary embolism. When fat is injected into the gluteal muscle or just below, it can enter the bloodstream, which may lead to blockage of the blood vessels. Your surgeon should be able to explain how they take precautions to prevent this complication. They have three options to reduce the risk.
- Your doctor can inject only into the subcutaneous layer under the skin, instead of going deeper.
- Your doctor can use a blunt-tip cannula, which is at least 4mm in thickness.
- Your doctor can place the cannula at an angle parallel to the spine or angled upwards to avoid injecting into the muscle, which would be directed downward.
BBLs in 2022
BBLs continue to grow in popularity, with rates for the procedure soaring. While the rate for complications is higher for BBLs than for other cosmetic procedures, it is becoming safer as more plastic surgeons have learned the optimal way to perform the surgery to reduce risks.
The Aesthetic Surgery Education and Research Foundation (ASERF) recently set up a task force that studied the risks of BBLs and published a study from their findings. The results showed that the number of pulmonary embolism incidents had gone down between 2017 and 2019, along with deaths associated with the procedure. The number of surgeons who were trained on the new safety recommendations was at 94 percent with less than five percent using risky techniques.
What to Look Out for
If you’re considering a BBL, you should know what to look for to ensure that your procedure is as safe as possible. Your first consideration should be to find a board-certified plastic surgeon with experience in the Brazilian Butt Lift. When you choose someone with this certification, you can feel confident that they have been trained correctly on performing the procedure to make the BBL safe.
Dr. Leo Lapuerta is a triple-board-certified surgeon with more than two decades of experience. He has performed hundreds of butt lifts and will be able to help you feel that BBL is safe.
Ask for before and after photos of previous patients to see the results for yourself. While not everyone will have the same results, you should expect to see similar success stories of others who have undergone the surgery.
What to Ask Your Surgeon Before BBL Surgery
When discussing BBL with your surgeon, you should ask questions that help you feel comfortable with the procedure. One of the first questions to ask is about the risks with BBL. Any reputable plastic surgeon will tell you that some risk is involved. If they claim there is no risk, you’ll want to find another surgeon.
The surgeon should be transparent as they talk about the procedure itself. They should answer your questions and help you understand what to expect. Another question to ask your surgeon is about their own experience actually performing the procedure. You want someone who has performed BBL multiple times to help you feel comfortable about being their next patient. Ask the surgeon where they will be injecting the fat and how they mitigate risks known to be associated with the procedure like pulmonary embolism. This can help set your mind at ease or alert you to a red flag to stay away from that doctor..
Find out from the plastic surgeon what you need to do to prepare for surgery and recovery. They may tell you to avoid alcohol and smoking and to stop taking certain medications or supplements until after the surgery. All of these steps can help reduce your risk with BBL.
Schedule a Free Consultation
If you are interested in finding out more about getting a BBL in Texas, talk to the team at Look Younger and Dr. Leo Lapuerta. With more than 20 years in plastic surgery, Dr. Lapeurta has established a much-deserved reputation for performing safe cosmetic procedures, from Brazilian Butt Lifts to breast augmentation. If you have questions, schedule a free consultation and let us help you feel comfortable about taking the next step.