Procedures designed to improve the cosmetic appearance of the buttocks are growing tremendously in demand.
In fact, buttock contouring is now among the most requested plastic surgery procedures. Both men and women commonly desire to change the size and shape of their butts. Yes, diet and exercise is helpful, but neither can be 100% successful. Your bone structure, your muscle structure, your fat stores, your skin quality, and your genetics all determine your butt shape and size. This is why surgical procedures for buttock contouring have become so popular.
The well-known Brazilian butt lift procedure, or BBL, removes fat from the areas you don’t want it, and places it into the areas you do want it, most commonly the butt and the hips. A traditional BBL is liposuction and fat transfer. In the right person, the BBL is a powerful way to permanently change the buttock and hips. To be a good Brazilian Butt Lift candidate, you need the proper amount of donor fat and the appropriate skin quality.
Not everyone is a candidate for a Brazilian Butt Lift. Aside from being too skinny and not having enough “donor fat”, the most common reason why someone may not be good for a BBL is having too much skin laxity. Weight loss and the normal aging process can make the skin loose. This results in flattening of the buttocks but simply filling the butt with fat won’t give a good result. True contouring would require removal of the excess skin, lifting the sagging buttock, and adding volume. This is why Dr. Schulman created his Lift & Fill BBL. It allows him to combine an actual buttock lift, with a traditional Brazilian Butt Lift. The end result is exactly as the name implies – lifting and filling.
Basically, if you have flatness or sagging of your buttocks and hips that is combined with skin laxity of the lower back and buttocks, then you are not a good candidate for a traditional BBL but you ARE a candidate for Dr. Schulman’s Lift & Fill BBL. This is commonly seen in people who have:
A good test is to grab your lower back and pull upwards. If you like the smoother and tighter appearance of your butt and hips AND want more volume, then this may be the procedure for you.
The Lift & Fill BBL is essentially a three part procedure that includes:
Dr. Schulman will first begin with liposuction. This is most commonly performed of the upper back, lower back, and flanks. Next, the skin of the sides, lower back, and upper buttocks is removed and lifted. This is done by removing the skin along the flanks, lower back, and upper buttocks and then pulling things upward. This is like the surgical equivalent of “pulling up your pants.” You will see smoothing of your outer thighs, buttocks and hips. Naturally though, there can be worsening of any flatness when the skin is lifted. But this is why Dr. Schulman then places the fat that he gathered during liposuction into the butt and hips, just like he does during his traditional BBLs. The scar is carefully placed so that it is well hidden beneath underwear and bikini bottoms. The Lift & Fill BBL can be combined with other procedures, such as a tummy tuck, to give a full body change.
“Most people are familiar with the traditional Brazilian Butt Lift, or BBL, where I use liposuction to remove fat, and then reinject it into your butt and hips. If you have had significant weight loss or other things that led to loose skin, a traditional BBL won’t work. You need skin removed also. This is why I developed my ‘Lift & Fill BBL’ which combines skin removal with a BBL. It really will LIFT and also FILL. I know that you are probably worried about the scar, but I place the scar in a place that is easily hidden beneath underwear or a bathing suit. This is procedure that I am really proud of and I am excited to discuss it with you.”
The Lift & Fill BBL will be performed under general anesthesia in our fully certified operating facility. This procedure will take about 2-3 hours and you will be personally monitored throughout your Lift & Fill BBL by a Board Certified Anesthesiologist. Safety is Dr. Schulman’s top priority. Every patient receives appropriate medical clearance before undergoing surgery so that risks can be minimized. You will rest in our recovery room and you will get to go home the same day.
There are several things you will need to do in preparation for your Lift & Fill Brazilian Butt Lift surgery. First, you should make sure you are healthy and maintain a normal weight for you. This will require a visit with your medical doctor for a full medical clearance and blood testing. We want to make sure you are free of any medical problems that may place you at unnecessary risk. You should make sure to let Dr. Schulman know about any medications that you are taking, to be sure that they will not interfere with anesthesia or cause any issues for you. Several medications and over-the-counter supplements and vitamins may cause increased swelling or place you at increased risk for bleeding. You must also stop smoking or using any nicotine-containing products. This includes e-cigarettes and vapes. These will increase your risk of complications and can decrease the survival rate of your fat transplant.
Everything is top notch, from Dr. Schulman’s amazing bedside manner, to the impeccable cleanliness of the office, to his entire kind staff and of course his magical wand of hands. I can’t say enough good things.
It’s important for patients to take their recovery from surgery seriously. Since your Lift & Fill BBL involves transplanting fat cells into new sites on the body, you will need to be very careful about how you sit and sleep, in addition to maintaining other good practices that can aid surgical recovery. You need to respect the newly transplanted fat cells and give them time to grow a blood supply and become a permanent part of you again.
Applying direct pressure to these newly transplanted fat cells can prevent the growth of a new blood supply. This can impact the survival of your newly transplanted fat cell. Even when patients are great about avoiding pressure on their butts, a percentage of the transplanted cells will ultimately die. However, added pressure will increase the percentage of fat cell death and negatively affect your ultimate results. When sitting, we recommend using a specialized BBL cushion to reduce pressure on your butt and you should sleep in your stomach. Sleeping on your sides should be avoided if you have had fat cells added to your hips.
Dr. Schulman will advise you on when you can expect to be able to safely apply more pressure to your butt. For most patients, these restrictions on sitting and laying on the buttock and hips tend to be the most difficult part of recovery.
Pain is normal after Brazilian butt lift and can be controlled through oral medication. There will undoubtedly be soreness from liposuction. You will also have bruising and swelling in the liposuction areas that will last a few weeks. You will need to wear a compression garment during your recovery for up to eight weeks. This will help to control swelling and improve your overall shape. Dr. Schulman has created a well established garment protocol and we can help you understand how to wear this garment during your recovery.
While each case is unique, many of our patients find it most helpful to take at least 10 days off school or work to ensure that they can focus on recovery. Your physical activity will be restricted immediately after surgery. Most patients are able to return to normal activities about 4-6 weeks after surgery. If you try to do too much, too soon, your overall recovery will last longer. Dr. Schulman will also advise you about best ways to help promote good scar healing. There are laser and scar gels that can help your scar fade.
The Lift & Fill BBL is a procedure completely unique to Dr. Schulman. He is internationally known for buttock contouring and has done many thousands of Brazilian Butt Lift and Scoop Lift® procedures, but sees many men and women who were just not candidates. This is most commonly because of skin laxity. The Lift & Fill BBL offers a solution for people who are not candidates for a Brazilian Butt Lift to get the improvement and shape that they desire. So, if you want a more lifted, perkier buttock, but may not be an ideal Brazilian Butt Lift candidate, then a Lift & Fill BBL may be exactly what you need.
During your consultation, Dr. Schulman will examine you and discuss this procedure. While a Lift & Fill BBL may seem like an aggressive procedure because of the skin removal and the scar, you may be surprised. The scar is well hidden beneath the skimpiest of clothes and bathing suits. Dr. Schulman has enormous experience with this procedure and you will be in great hands. You will be able to describe the type of size and shape you want. You will also be able to show him photos of what you want, or what you don’t want. Dr. Schulman will then be able to tell you if what you want is possible, given your body shape, type, excess skin, and available donor fat.
Who is a Candidate for a Lift & Fill BBL?
Anyone who wants improvement in the shape and contour of the buttocks and hips may be a candidate. This procedure is specifically designed for people with excess skin on the backside that prevents them from being ideal for a traditional BBL.
How is this different from a BBL?
A Brazilian Butt lIft, or BBL, removes fat from other parts of the body and it is then reinjected into the butt and hips. It only deals with fat, and does nothing for skin. It essentially “fills” the butt and hips which may make it appear “lifted” but doesn’t actually lift. This procedure removes excess skin AND fills with fat. By addressing the skin (and not just fat), it can actually lift a sagging butt.
Where is the scar?
The scar would go hip-to-hip, but along the back. It is kept just above the buttocks, so that it can be hidden beneath underwear or bikini bottom. Think of it like a tummy tuck on the backside.
Will the scar fade?
Yes, scars fade over time. But remember, scars will never disappear. We use several techniques to help promote a good quality scar, but the ultimate scar appearance will depend on your body and how your body heals. There are scar gels and laser treatments that may help.
How do I know if I need a regular BBL or a Lift & FIll BBL?
This is the type of decision that can only be made after your consultation with Dr. Schulman. He will evaluate your body, your fat, and your skin. If you have too much skin laxity, then a Lift & Fill BBL may be what you need.
Can this be combined with a Tummy Tuck?
Absolutely. A Lift & Fill BBL is often combined with a tummy tuck. This is because people who have extra skin from aging, weight changes, or pregnancies usually have this going all the way around their body. These can usually be combined safely into a single operation or sometimes split into separate operations.
What type of anesthesia is needed?
This procedure is done under local anesthesia in our fully certified office operating room. Your anesthesia will be administered by a board certified anesthesiologist.
How long is the procedure?
The procedure takes approximately 2 ½ hours.
Do I need to stay overnight?
No. You are able to go home after your Lift & Fill BBL. You will likely stay about 2 hours in our recovery room, but will then be able to go home.
Where can I get my Lift & Fill BBL?
This procedure was created by Dr. Schulman and it is only available with him. Others may say they do a procedure that is similar, but the Lift & Fill BBL is exclusive to Dr. Schulman.