You’ve exercised every day for months and stuck to a strict diet but still can’t seem to achieve that attractive hourglass figure you desire.
If you’re looking for an alternative aesthetic solution, a Brazilian butt lift (BBL) may be for you.
Will my BBL get bigger after fluffing? Should I “feed the fat”
The Appeal of a Brazilian Butt Lift
Many women and men seek to achieve a more attractive silhouette through diet and exercise, but they just can’t seem to get where they want to be on their own. This is a common situation we see when patients come in inquiring about a BBL.
The goal of the BBL surgery procedure is to create an hourglass figure or to accentuate the hips and buttocks in whatever other way the patient desires. For example, some patients are looking for more of an athletic “bubble butt” appearance, which can be difficult to achieve naturally — even with regular strenuous exercise.
Fortunately, the BBL procedure can give these patients exactly what they’re looking for and with exceedingly natural results. The procedure itself uses the patient’s own body fat cells to accentuate the hips and buttocks. The results are long-lasting — and usually permanent.
Furthermore, the patient can detail almost exactly how they want their buttocks to look after surgery. Whether it’s wider hips or a butt that protrudes further out from their backside, Dr. Schulman can help his patients achieve exactly the silhouette they’re looking for.
So, what can you expect from BBL surgery? How should you prepare for the before and after of a Brazilian butt lift?
Read on to learn more.
Before and After BBL: What to Expect

BBL surgery aims to augment the size and shape of the buttocks and hips. Think of Kim Kardashian’s hourglass figure, for example. Her hips are wide, and her buttocks project away from her body more than the average woman’s figure.
Of course, men can also have this surgery, and male BBL procedures are becoming increasingly popular as well.
The BBL surgery is performed using the patient’s own body fat cells, which are extracted. Fat cells can be taken from many places on the body. Naturally, it should be extracted first from areas of the body that the patient wants to reduce anyway. For example, a large number of patients want to slim their waistlines. So, in this case, fat cells would be extracted (or “harvested”) from the abdomen.
Every BBL patient should decide how they want their buttocks to look and convey this to Dr. Schulman at their consultation appointment. You can use before and after BBL pictures to guide you if it helps.
The customization possibilities of the BBL are what make it so special. You don’t have to let nature dictate your body’s shape. Rather, you can manipulate the fat on your body to achieve the aesthetic goals you’re looking for.
Ultimately, a Brazilian butt lift procedure will reduce the excess fat cells that you don’t want — on areas of your body like the abdomen, upper and lower back, sides, and upper arms — while at the same time increasing the amount of plumpness and volume on your hips and buttocks. This will give you an attractive figure that you can be proud of.
Furthermore, your results will almost always be permanent because you’ll be using your newly transferred fat cells.
Here is how to prepare for the before and after of your BBL, including prerequisites for surgery and tips on BBL recovery.
Before BBL Surgery
As always, when it comes to how to get ready for cosmetic surgery, Dr. Schulman will be your best resource. At your consultation appointment, you’ll discuss how you want your procedure to go, what you want your results to look like, and how to best prepare for surgery.
Among the list of guidelines required before BBL surgery, you’ll need to do the following:
Book a BBL consultation
Your BBL consultation is absolutely essential when preparing for a Brazilian butt lift. This is an appointment where you will be able to sit down one-on-one with Dr. Schulman to discuss how you want your surgery to go and what you expect from your results.
Dr. Schulman will also give you a short health status checkup so that he can ensure you are a good candidate for BBL surgery. He may evaluate any pre-existing health conditions or risk factors you have for surgery. And in some cases, he may order additional medical tests that will be required for you prior to scheduling your procedure.
Of course, you’ll also be able to speak with Dr. Schulman about what you expect for the outcome of your surgery. Dr. Schulman will help identify the ideal locations where fat cells can be extracted through liposuction. He will also help pinpoint where fat can be reinjected to accentuate your hips and buttocks.
Get a checkup with your regular doctor
This may or may not be a requirement for you prior to plastic surgery. Some patients will require a general checkup with their doctor to ensure that their heart, lungs, other organs, and overall physical health are in good shape for major surgery like a Brazilian butt lift.
Other medical tests, such as blood labs and scans, may be required, depending on the specifics of your surgery and your general health.
Stop smoking.
If you are a smoker, you’ll need to stop smoking prior to surgery. Ultimately, it’s best to stop smoking altogether for your overall health. However, if you can stop smoking for a few weeks before surgery, this will suffice for many patients.
Specifically, nicotine can negatively affect the smallest blood vessels of the body. Therefore, regular smokers may risk not having a full and healthy recovery. In many cases, wound-healing complications are the biggest risk.
After BBL Surgery
After BBL surgery, it is critical to follow the post-operative care instructions provided to you by Dr. Schulman.
Overall, you should expect to abide by the following guidelines in order to achieve optimal BBL results:
Wear your compression garments.
Dr. Schulman will provide you with compression garments to wear following surgery. This will help the skin at the incision sites and around the hips and buttocks tighten up and reduce swelling more quickly.
Ultimately, wearing your compression garments according to Dr. Schulman’s recommendations will quicken healing and ensure optimal results.
Do not smoke.
Just as you were directed not to smoke prior to surgery, you should also not smoke after surgery to ensure proper recovery. This includes avoiding using any and all tobacco products. You want the oxygen to flow freely through your blood vessels to help with healing, and smoking after surgery could limit such circulation.
Sit and sleep properly.
After your BBL, you’ll need to sit and sleep with attention to the new contours of your body — namely, your new buttocks and thighs.
Specifically, when sitting, it’s important to avoid putting too much pressure on your bottom, so you’ll need to allow your upper thighs to take the majority of your body weight pressure. Special BBL pillows and BBL chairs for sitting can help with this.
Likewise, when you sleep, it’s important not to sleep on your back or side to avoid putting pressure on the hips and buttocks. Instead, you should sleep on your stomach, or you can sleep at a 45° angle (toward your stomach) so that there is no pressure being put on your thighs or buttocks. You can lift one knee up to the side to make yourself more comfortable in bed.
Take it easy.
Most patients like this advice the most. Ensuring you get plenty of rest, drink lots of water, and eat a well-balanced nutritious diet will be the best way to recover safely and in a timely manner. These are the general conditions necessary for a full recovery and optimal BBL results.
It’s important to avoid any type of strenuous physical activity, including exercise, during your BBL recovery. You should not drive or lift heavy things for several weeks as well. Getting help around your house with basic activities is a good idea, especially for the first few days after surgery.
Fluffing After BBL FAQ
When can I sit after BBL surgery?
For several weeks after your Brazilian butt lift surgery, you will want to avoid sitting directly on your buttocks because doing so can limit the blood flow to the area and may ultimately affect your results. Getting a BBL pillow or a BBL chair for your recovery can help to offset the amount of pressure placed on your buttocks when sitting.
Ultimately, you’ll want to adjust your sitting position so that more of your weight is put on your thighs — or avoid sitting altogether when you can.
When does fluffing happen after BBL surgery?

“Fluffing” refers to how the fat transfer in a BBL begins to truly take shape and maximize BBL results. Around 6 to 8 weeks post-Brazilian butt lift is really when the fat starts to get full and soft. This period takes place after most of the swelling has gone down.
Will my BBL get bigger over time?
It will take some time to see the overall results from your BBL surgery. Right away after the procedure, you’re going to see a lot of swelling, and this will go down gradually with time. As the swelling goes down, the transferred fat will begin to get fuller and softer. Ultimately, the final shape and contours you achieve through BBL surgery may take several months to appear.
Will my BBL get bigger after fluffing?
Absolutely! After the fat grafting procedure, although a portion of the grafted fat may be naturally absorbed by the body, your skin will still stretch to accommodate the remaining fat. This will lead to the desired fluffy appearance that you seek. So, can you expect your Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) to become larger during the fluffing process?
Does a BBL get smaller before it gets bigger?
Yes, BBLs initially appear smaller as the body absorbs some newly injected fat cells occurs during early recovery. Approximately 30-50% of transferred fat may not survive. However, surviving extra fat cells stabilize around 3 months, when the fluff period begins. This natural process allows remaining fat to settle properly before final results emerge.
How much does a BBL cost?
BBL costs depend on many factors including surgeon experience, facility, and care required as part of the recovery process. Insurance does not cover cosmetic procedures, so many plastic surgery patients explore payment plans or financing options.
The decision to undergo a BBL is personal, with each step of the healing process influencing the final results, such as skin elasticity and the survival of newly injected fat cells.
What does fluffing after BBL feel like?
During the fluffing stage, patients notice their newly enhanced booty becoming softer as skin relaxes and swelling subsides. The area may experience mild sensations, including an occasional burning sensation as tissues adjust. The buttocks feel more natural to touch, less firm than immediately post-surgery, creating a fuller, rounder appearance that patients eagerly anticipate.
Can a tight faja ruin BBL?
Excessively tight fajas can potentially damage newly inserted fat during the critical healing process. Proper compression is essential, but too much pressure restricts blood circulation and increases swelling. Following your surgeon’s guidance on faja stages throughout the recovery process ensures optimal fat survival while providing necessary support for contouring and comfort.
How can I make my BBL bigger?
You cannot increase BBL size after surgery, as injected fat cells either survive or don’t. Maintaining skin elasticity through hydration and following post-op care maximizes results. Focus on protecting newly injected fat through proper sitting techniques, wearing appropriate garments, and avoiding pressure to achieve optimal defined curves from your existing transfer.
When do you stop wearing foams and boards after BBL?
Most surgeons recommend wearing foams and boards for 6-8 weeks post-surgery. This timeline coincides with when skin stretches to accommodate transferred fat. The seemingly magical fluffing phenomenon occurs around this period, when the fluff period refers to skin adapting to new contours. Your surgeon will determine the exact timing based on individual healing progress.
Schedule Your NYC BBL Consultation With Dr. Schulman
Are you ready to improve your overall physique and achieve exactly the silhouette you’ve always dreamed of having? A Brazilian butt lift, or BBL, may be ideal for you.
Call today to learn about before and after BBL with Dr. Schulman in NYC!
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