Leo Lapuerta, MD Plastic Surgery - Houston, TX
Patients who have lost volume in the butt due to weight loss, aging, or pregnancy — or who are just unhappy with the size or shape of their butt — can benefit from a Brazilian Butt Lift. It can also help those with an “apple” shaped body (no defined waistline or narrow hips) achieve an hourglass shape. This procedure enhances the buttock using the patient's own body fat. Houston’s favorite plastic surgeon, Dr. Leo Lapuerta, was one of the first plastic surgeons to offer this procedure locally, and has been pleasing his clients with brilliant results for over 20 years.
A Brazilian butt lift procedure (BBL) is a treatment which adds volume to the butt, making the buttocks appear rounder, fuller, and more youthful. The key to the surgery is that volume is added to the butt using the fat that was extracted from elsewhere on the body. During this surgery, fat is harvested from the patient’s own body using liposuction. The fat is then refined and used as a sculpting medium by injecting the fat into the buttock area to achieve the desired changes in size, shape, contour, or profile.
The fat harvested by liposuction can come from anywhere on the body — under the chin, arms, back, stomach, sides, or love handles, as well as the inner and or outer thighs. The number of areas for liposuction depends on the amount of fat needed for the BBL, where the patient has “pockets” or areas of excess fat, and where the patient desires body contouring.
Together, liposuction to these areas and the injection of fat to the buttocks creates a more traditionally feminine contour and increases the contrast between the hip to waistline ratio. This is why many consider the Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) to be a “two-for-one” surgery that gives patients an improved appearance to the buttocks and a more shapely body aesthetic overall.
This cosmetic procedure has outstanding results and high satisfaction rates among our Houston area patients. Any patient looking for a surgeon to perform BBL Houston-side should look no further than Dr. Lapuerta, as he is one of the most experienced BBL experts in Texas.
Each individual patient will have different goals when it comes to what they expect from a Brazilian butt lift surgery. Generally, surgery can completely transform the shape and appearance of the buttocks, contour the hips, and slim the waistline. Patients can expect a butt with more volume, improved symmetry, firmness, tightness, and much-improved shape. Due to the liposuction procedure to source the fat injections, patients will also enjoy the benefit of toning and slimming in those areas.
This procedure is ideal for candidates who want a natural method to fill out their buttocks’ shape. Other possible candidates may be individuals who are unhappy with the size or shape of their buttocks and have some slight sagging of the skin in that area they wish to resolve. Candidates also must have enough fat for liposuction from somewhere else on the body and their skin elasticity should be in good condition. Finally, candidates must be in good overall health, have no outstanding medical issues, and keep realistic expectations about the results of the surgery. In order to make sure patients have proper expectations, they should discuss exactly what their goals are during their consultation with our team. Dr. Lapuerta is a trusted expert who excels in partnering with patients to reach their desired goals, helping to convey all necessary information in a friendly and relatable way.
Before embarking on any medical treatment, it’s prudent to research the ins and outs of the procedure. Much of the information that one should know about Brazilian butt lift surgery can be found right here. However, should you have any questions or concerns, we recommend getting in touch with Dr. Lapuerta; with 20+ years of plastic surgery experience and 20,000 procedures on his resume, he is a true expert!
During the initial consultation, an assessment of the body will be taken to determine the ideal location to perform liposuction in order to extract the necessary amount of fat. Multiple donor sites may be considered. During the surgery, the fat will be removed and grafted for a healthy, effective transfer. It will then be injected through a syringe into the buttocks. This process will take place over several steps, and many layers may be used until the desired result is achieved. The incisions from a Brazilian butt lift are very small and thus scarring after the procedure is minimal.
A Brazilian butt lift is considered an outpatient procedure and is performed under general anesthesia at an accredited surgical facility. The entire surgery typically takes about 3–6 hours to complete depending on how many donor sites are used and how many layers it takes to achieve the desired fullness.
Brazilian butt lift recovery is a straightforward process. Immediately after surgery, a compression garment will be used to help facilitate healing. Patients will experience swelling and bruising in both the fat removal areas as well as on the buttocks, but these side effects are only temporary and should lessen with time. For a few weeks after the procedure, patients may be asked to use a special cushion to better distribute pressure on the backside while sitting.
Dr. Lapuerta recommends that patients stay off their buttock and rest on their stomachs for 2–6 weeks to allow for optimal fat grafting in the butt. From Dr. Lapuerta’s extensive experience, the best results are obtained when patients are able to remain off of their buttocks for six weeks. Patients will find it difficult to sit and should avoid doing so at first, but are encouraged to do so once the swelling has subsided. Even when swelling has gone down, it is still recommended to avoid direct pressure on the buttocks until it is completely healed.
While most patients are able to return to work and their everyday life after 4–6 weeks, it will take about three full months for the body to recover and adjust to the new contour and shape.
The cost for a Brazilian butt lift will vary depending on how many donor sites are used for liposuction to retrieve the necessary amount of fat. On average, this surgery will cost between $5,000-$12,000.
Once a treatment plan is agreed upon with your surgeon, all surgery options will be discussed. After this discussion, patients will be given an accurate quote that will include all fees for the surgery. To learn more or to schedule a consultation, contact Dr. Lapuerta today for a confidential conversation to learn more and prepare.