Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL)
Conveniently located to serve the areas of Beverly Hills and Los Angeles, CA
A Brazilian Butt Lift, often abbreviated as BBL, is a popular surgical procedure designed to enhance the size and shape of the buttocks. (1) This procedure involves fat transfer techniques where excess fat from other areas of the body is removed through liposuction and then injected into the gluteal region. Patients often seek a Brazilian Butt Lift to achieve fuller and rounder buttocks while simultaneously contouring other areas of the body, ultimately boosting confidence. (1)
As a Harvard-trained and board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Kenneth Hughes is one of the most renowned BBL experts in the country and worldwide. Hundreds of BBLs are performed at Hughes Plastic Surgery every year. Dr. Hughes’ unique commitment to safety, advanced techniques, and patient satisfaction has led him to be selected as the best BBL surgeon in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills by Yelp. Dr. Kenneth Hughes was also voted as the top-rated plastic surgeon in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills by Top-Rated Plastic Surgeon Reviews, Three-Best Rated, Wimgo, and Kev’s Best from 2019 to 2023.
Brazilian Butt Lifts can be transformative procedures that enhance a patient’s confidence and quality of life, but they are best executed by a plastic surgeon who specialized in these procedures. If you are interested in exploring your BBL treatment options, schedule a consultation with Dr. Hughes today. You can get in touch by submitting our contact form, or you can call our Los Angeles office directly at (310) 275-4170.
Contents
Before and After Photos
About Brazilian Butt Lifts
The Brazilian Butt Lift allows individuals to augment the shape of their buttocks using their own fat. This advanced body-contouring option has gained popularity due to its dual benefits: patients not only achieve the desired curvature and fullness in their glutes, but can also sculpt other areas by removing unwanted deposits of fat, resulting in a more attractive silhouette. (1)
The Brazilian Butt Lift involves two separate procedures. First, liposuction is used to harvest fat wherever there is an excess; this can be the abdomen, sides, back, arms, legs, or elsewhere. Once harvested, this fat is processed to isolate the most viable fat cells. This purified fat is then reinjected into the buttocks and hips to create an accentuated and attractive hourglass figure. (1)
BBLs continue to be one of the most performed aesthetic surgeries in the United States. (2)
Transgender Liposuction and Brazilian Buttlift for MTF Patients
Dr. Kenneth Hughes has performed countless transgender Brazilian buttlifts to help patients achieve a more hourglass figure with enhanced buttock projection. The waist is brought in with liposuction, while the hips receive fat transfer to help change body proportions. The same principles and technical sophistication apply as they would for any sort of liposuction and fat transfer surgery.
Benefits
Patients experience numerous advantages when they undergo a personalized Brazilian Butt Lift procedure. Under Dr. Hughes’ expertise, patients see benefits and results through:
- Enhanced Buttock Shape and Size: Achieve your desired volume and aesthetics in the gluteal area.
- Natural Look and Feel: Utilizing your own fat provides a cohesive, soft feel, unlike other artificial augmentation methods.
- Additional Body Contouring: Simultaneous removal of fat from other regions like the abdomen or thighs offers balanced proportions and a more sculpted silhouette.
- Minimal Scarring: The incisions from liposuction are small, often leading to inconspicuous scarring.
- Improved Self-Esteem: Many individuals report heightened confidence levels following their procedure.
- Long-Lasting Effects: With proper post-operative care, the results of a BBL can be long-lasting. The fat cells that survive the initial healing process typically remain in their new location permanently.
Candidates
Good candidates for Brazilian Butt Lifts are healthy patients with good skin elasticity and excess fatty deposits available for liposuction. Anyone who desires a fuller buttocks appearance without the use of synthetic materials may be eligible. Dr. Hughes has seen patients who range in weight from 98 lbs to 110 lbs to over 200 lbs.
Some surgeons will recommend that their patients gain weight before their BBL procedure, but Dr. Hughes does not consider this necessary; he is skilled in performing the procedure for thinner patients as well.
All prospective patients should maintain realistic expectations for the results of their procedure and be willing to follow preparation instructions. Ultimately, your candidacy will be further evaluated during your consultation with Dr. Hughes.
Personal Consultation
The personal consultation is a critical step in the Brazilian Butt Lift process. During this one-on-one meeting, Dr. Hughes will review your medical history and discuss your aesthetic goals. Furthermore, this session includes discussing the various methods of fat harvesting and injection techniques, helping to address any concerns regarding potential risks and complications. Each candidate will receive personalized advice on the best approach to achieve their desired results.
Schedule your consultation today by submitting our online contact form. If you have any further questions or would prefer to schedule over the phone, please call our office directly at (310) 275-4170.
Preparation
After meeting with Dr. Hughes to discuss your goals and establish a treatment plan, you will receive preparation instructions to follow in advance of your procedure. You may be required to adjust your medication or herbal supplement intake, especially if you regularly take anything that can thin the blood. Patients who smoke or use other forms of nicotine will be asked to quit before and after their treatment, and alcohol should also be avoided. Patients are asked to arrange transportation home from their treatment with a trusted friend or family member. Finally, please ensure that you have taken time away from work or other obligations to recover. While these are common preparation guidelines for all patients, you may have additional requirements that are specific to your goals and medical history.
Procedure
A Brazilian Butt Lift takes about two hours to perform in most cases. The procedure is performed in our fully-accredited outpatient surgery center under general anesthesia with a board-certified anesthesiologist. Your safety is our number one priority.
During the procedure, Dr. Hughes collects up to five liters of fat with liposuction, using only a few tiny incisions in discreet locations. (3) All of the harvested fat is purified in the operating room by gravity sedimentation before it is transferred to syringes.
An ultrasound probe can be placed in the area of any fat injection to provide an anatomic view of the underlying tissues. Dr. Hughes only injects fat directly under the skin (subdermal), and the cannula tip is visualized at all times.
Some or all of the fat is injected above the gluteus muscles and superficially under the skin into the fat and surrounding tissue of the buttocks and hips. Precise placement of the fat is necessary to reduce the risk of complications. (4,5)
Dr. Hughes frequently transfers 1200 cc to 2000 cc or more per buttock to give the most dramatic transformation possible. (3) Dr. Hughes also performs fat transfers to the hips from 200 cc to 1200 cc per side. These specialized techniques often create exceptional results, making Dr. Hughes one of the country’s and world’s most sought-after BBL specialists.
Recovery
Patients typically return home from the operation the same day. Patients can usually return to work within one week, depending on the physical demands of their job. Swelling and bruising will reduce a great amount over the first two to three weeks.
Patients are encouraged to wear an abdominal compression garment that Dr. Hughes provides for the first six weeks to improve the shape of the buttocks, increase the rate of healing, and decrease the rate of seroma formation (fluid collection). The garment should be worn low and snug on the abdomen with the lower strap of the garment at the level of the pubic bone.
All patients are required to attend the follow-up appointment and follow all postoperative instructions.
No pressure should be applied to the treatment areas. Sitting and placing pressure on the buttocks and hips should be avoided for six weeks. (3) However, the patient may use a BBL pillow or similar after surgery when sitting. Patients should consume 100 g of protein per day and should be on a diet during the recovery period. Calories are needed after surgery to help retain the fat grafts and create tissue to promote blood supply to the free fat grafts.
The patient should avoid showering for at least two to three weeks. The incisions do not heal immediately, and they are susceptible to letting pathogens or debris into the body. However, you may selectively clean around all incisions with a sponge bath technique.
Swelling in the areas that are liposuctioned can take up to 6 months to resolve, after which patients can observe more final results. Patients are often concerned about lumps, bumps, or hardness during recovery, but it’s important to understand that the surgical results are smooth at the end of the procedure. These irregularities, if present, arise during the healing process and often resolve over time.
Results
Dr. Hughes has performed more Brazilian Butt Lift procedures than almost anyone in the U.S. Therefore, he can confidently tell you that the results will be permanent, transformative, and satisfactory. However, it is important to keep in mind that some of the fat does dissipate (up to 50%). To account for this, Dr. Hughes transfers about twice as much as is desired, helping patients achieve an impressive augmentation. (6)
Corresponding Procedures
Dr. Hughes also performs many butt augmentation surgeries using solid silicone implants (called butt implant surgery or gluteal implant surgery). Butt implant surgery produces significant and long-lasting improvement and the results are predictable. The procedure has an extremely low rate of complications in Dr. Hughes’s experience and a high patient satisfaction rate.
This procedure is ideal for patients who are thin and lack the required fat to produce a significant volumetric improvement with a BBL.
Cost of a Brazilian Butt Lift in Los Angeles
At Hughes Plastic Surgery, our Brazilian Butt Lift costs $16,500 to $20,000. However, your price quote may be more or less than this range due to numerous factors, like whether or not it is a revision BBL, how much fat is being transferred, your personal goals, and more. Our financing and surgery price page can offer you more details. After meeting with Dr. Hughes to plan your treatment, you will receive a price quote that details all expenses necessary for your treatment. Patients who wish to include liposuction of other areas during their BBL treatment may also receive a discount for these.
Schedule your consultation today to begin planning your treatment. If you have any further questions, please call our Los Angeles office at (310) 275-4170.
FAQ
What is the difference between buttock implants and a Brazilian Butt Lift?
While traditional buttock implants involve inserting synthetic materials for augmentation, a Brazilian Butt Lift uses your own fat for a natural-looking enhancement.
How long does it take to recover from a BBL?
Most patients can return to work within one to two weeks, but rigorous activities may require a longer break, typically around four to six weeks.
Are there any risks involved with a BBL?
Like all surgical procedures, Brazilian Butt Lifts carry risks, including infection, asymmetry, or fat absorption. Discuss these risks during your consultation for further clarity.
How long do the results of a BBL last?
The results can be quite long-lasting, provided you maintain a steady weight; however, fat absorption can occur, possibly requiring touch-up treatments to maintain desired volumes.
Can the fat transferred in a BBL survive in its new location?
Yes, a percentage of the transferred fat will typically survive as it establishes a new blood supply within the buttocks.
References
- Serbülent Güzey, Ayça Ergan Şahin. Brazilian Butt Lift: An Experience Over 3000 Patients. Aesthetic plastic surgery. Published online April 5, 2024. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-024-03965-8
- ASPS. American Society of Plastic Surgeons ® Endorsed Partner.; 2023. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/news/statistics/2023/plastic-surgery-statistics-report-2023.pdf
- Cansanção AL. Abstract: Brazilian Buttocks: Fat Grafting Technique Standardization. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open. 2016;4(9S):29. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/01.GOX.0000511262.75725.8a
- Cao W, Sheng L. Buttock Augmentation with Fat Grafting. Clinics in Plastic Surgery. 2023;50(1):171-179. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cps.2022.08.005
- Villanueva NL, Del Vecchio DA, Afrooz PN, Carboy JA, Rohrich RJ. Staying Safe during Gluteal Fat Transplantation. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2018;141(1):79-86. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/PRS.0000000000003934
- Mendieta C, Stuzin JM. Gluteal Augmentation and Enhancement of the Female Silhouette. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2018;141(2):306-311. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/prs.0000000000004094
