Will A BBL Need Revision After a Few Years?
Dr. Nicholas Lahar is a cosmetic medicine and surgery specialist practicing in Beverly Hills, CA. Dr. Lahar specializes in the enhancement of appearance. Improving aesthetics, symmetry, and proportion are key goals in cosmetic surgery. Cosmetic medicine has nothing to do with these specific areas not functioning properly;... more
The Brazilian butt lift or BBL transfers fat from your abdomen or another part of the body to your rear. This procedure increases the buttocks’ size and volume naturally without implants, which have a higher infection risk.
Once your surgeon harvests your fat from another part of the body, they clean and purify it before carefully injecting it into the buttocks. Not all of the transferred fat will survive this procedure, so your surgeon will inject 20-30% more fat than is needed for the best results.
Below is more information about the BBL procedure, possible complications, and when you may need revision surgery.
Brazilian Butt Lift Risks
The BBL is usually a safe and effective procedure and most don’t need revision, but it does have a higher than average number of complications. This is often because the surgeons doing the procedures aren’t board-certified or experienced with the Brazilian butt lift.
When surgeons aren’t experienced with the BBL, it can lead to serious complications and even death. Surveys show that about 25 people died after their BBL between 2011 and 2016. Another study found that about 3% of plastic surgeons worldwide who did BBLs had someone die after the procedure.
BBLs also have a death rate of about 1 in 3,000 patients. This is mainly because inexperienced surgeons may inject the fat too deeply into the buttocks and puncture a significant blood vessel. If fat is injected into blood vessels, it can go to the heart and lungs and lead to fatal complications.
The higher-than-average risks are why it’s vital to research your plastic surgeon before making a commitment. In addition, you should only choose a board-certified surgeon with many years of experience with BBLs.
Also, don’t be tempted by low-cost BBL procedures overseas. These lower-cost surgeries in other countries are where most of the serious complications occur.
When You May Need BBL Revision
Most patients don’t have significant complications after a Brazilian butt lift. But if you aren’t entirely satisfied with the results, you may talk to your surgeon about a revision. Revision surgery can fix some issues with the previous surgery related to the size of the buttocks. Some may want to make them bigger or smaller. There also can be problems where one buttock is bigger than the other. Some patients also may experience lumps or ripples in the fat tissue.
Most plastic surgeons recommend waiting up to a year if you are considering a revision. But, remember, it can take this long before you see your final results. The fat your surgeon injected takes time to develop its blood supply, and it also takes a long time for all of the swelling to fade.
As you wait, some of the issues you may see with your Brazilian butt lift could be resolved independently. For example, about 20% of the fat injected during fat transfer will die in the buttocks. This dead tissue could feel lumpy, but it will usually get soft after several months and disappear.
Whenever you decide to have a revision of your BBL, remember that revision surgery is usually more challenging with any surgical procedure. For example, if the surgeon does more liposuction in the same part of the body, there will probably be additional bleeding.
Also, when the surgeon injects or removes fat during your revision, things can go wrong. Skilled surgeons report that any time you decide to do revision surgery, there’s additional uncertainty. This is why it’s always essential to choose the best board-certified plastic surgeon you can.
Tips To Maximize BBL Results
Surgeons who specialize in BBLs report that the patient’s behavior and actions after the procedure will significantly affect how well the surgery turns out.
You can maximize the results of your procedure by following these guidelines:
Don’t Drive
One of the biggest problems after a BBL is when a patient sits too much, and driving involves After surgery, drinking plenty of water sitting. If you sit too much on fat recently transferred, it will lose its shape and may even die.
Most surgeons recommend not driving for at least six to eight weeks after a Brazilian butt lift.
Don’t Smoke
You can reduce issues with your BBL by not smoking for several months after surgery. You also should avoid second-hand smoke as much as you can.
Smoking will affect your body’s ability to heal because it reduces oxygen flow in the blood.
Drink Water
Drinking plenty of water after surgery gives your body salt, minerals, and electrolytes that help the body recover faster. Some surgeons recommend putting Himalayan salt in the water you drink a few times per day.
Be sure you drink plenty of water for the first few months after surgery to speed your recovery.
Eat Well
Avoid processed foods and eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. You also should eat healthy fats from salmon, butter, walnuts, coconut oil, and avocados.
Outlook
The Brazilian butt lift is a safe, effective procedure for most patients that will enhance the rear’s shape and volume. Please remember to choose the best plastic surgeon you can with experience in BBL's for the best results.
References:
Lahar Plastic Surgery - BBL Procedure. (n.d.). Accessed at https://www.laharplasticsurgery.com/procedures/body/brazilian-butt-lift/
Brazilian Butt Lift Overview. (2019). Accessed at https://www.verywellhealth.com/brazilian-butt-lift-purpose-5085904
Brazilian Butt Lift Revision. (2020). Accessed at https://www.realself.com/surgical/brazilian-butt-lift-revision
