The success of a Brazilian Butt Lift has to do with the fat harvesting, processing, and injection technique.
This popular term refers to buttock augmentation with fat transfer vs butt implants. These medical terms may seem confusing, but this means that we make your butt bigger using injections of your own fat. Fat is removed from areas of your body, this fat is processed and washed so that the fat cells are isolated, and then these fat cells are injected into your buttock.
In general, several hundred to 1000 cc of fat cells are injected during a Brazilian Butt Lift procedure. So, how does making your butt bigger give you a “lift”? By adding volume to the butt, your backside becomes fuller, plumper, and actually gets lifted.
Key to Brazilian Butt Lift
The key to this procedure is the meticulous handling and preparation of the fat so that they survive the transplant and will remain in the buttock area for extremely long periods of time. I perform a large number of Brazilian Butt Lift procedures and use a very specific technique for fat harvest and injection.
First, I use specialized cannulas designed specifically for fat harvest. While fat is harvested through a liposuction technique, these are not the typical liposuction cannulas. They have special coatings on the inside of the cannulas so that the fat moves through it without friction. The holes on the end of the cannulas are also smaller so that individual fat cells are harvested.
Also, I use low suction when harvesting the fat so that the fragile fat cells are not injured during the process.
After collection of the fat, I allow it to “settle” so that the liquid and blood separates. I do not “spin” it or “strain” it. I find that these techniques are fat, but a more traumatic to the fat cells than just letting then settle out from the liquid. I gently drain the liquid so that only fat remains. I then add a very special biologic powder that is designed to help survival and growth of the fat cells.
Next, the fat is placed into syringes and injected into the buttock using special injection cannulas designed to reduce trauma to the fat cells. The fat is injected in very small deposits – never as large “blobs” of fat. These tiny collections of fat are injected both deep within the muscle and also closer to the surface.
Anywhere from 200cc to 1000cc is usually injected during a Brazilian Butt Lifts. Fat that is mishandled will not survive this transplant and will disappear within 2-3 months. The fat that survives can potentially last forever! So the success of this operation revolves around the survival of this fat, and the survival of the fat is dependent on the harvest, processing, and injection techniques.
Recovery From Brazilian Butt Lift
Right after the procedure, the patient can expect to have bruising and swelling in the areas used to harvest the fat cells. We can give you medication to handle the pain, although it is advised to switch from narcotics to Tylenol before driving a motor vehicle, which also helps to avoid constipation. Everyone recovers differently from BBL surgery, but most often you can expect to be up and around walking a day or two after the procedure.
Moving will help with constipation. Excess tumescent fluid may also drain from the incision points. Do not be alarmed if the fluid is tinged with blood, as this is completely normal and will cease a few days after surgery.
Resuming activities
Following the surgery, high impact activities should be avoided, especially any type of bouncing. After the first month, you can do light activities, a good paced walk, can be performed. Depending on how well you respond to the procedure, some patients can return to their normal activities six to eight weeks after surgery. Once the fat cells have stabilized, more strenuous activities can resume, as they should be able to withstand the impact of fat-burning exercises such as jogging or running.
Its very important you listen to all of the post-operative instructions provided by your board certified plastic surgeon to help ensure the final results provide you with an aesthetic pleasing contour.
The most important recovery tip regarding Brazilian butt lift surgery is to not sit directly on your buttocks for at least eight weeks after the procedure. Its advised to sleep on you stomach or sides, and if you absolutely do have to sit, it is recommended to buy and use a donut pillow or inflatable pillow.
Try to avoid putting pressure on the fat graft by raising the buttock. This is very important to achieve long lasting results, as sitting directly on the buttocks can affect blood circulation in the area.
Contact Our Office
So, whether you want to add volume and shape to a flat backside, or you just need a little lift after weight loss or aging, Dr. Schulman’s buttock contouring using your own fat may be exactly what you need. To learn more about buttock contouring in New York City or see BBL before and afters, call 212-289-1851 or contact us by email.
