Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL)
Conveniently located to serve the areas of Newport Beach, Upland and Ontario, CA
A Brazilian butt lift, more commonly known as a “BBL,” is a procedure that uses fat from other parts of the body to enhance the size and shape of the buttocks. This procedure utilizes liposuction techniques to harvest viable fat cells before purifying them for treatment. This procedure has grown in popularity in the last several years, with over 29,300 procedures performed in 2023 in the U.S. alone. (1)
Dr. Azra Ashraf of Panache Plastic Surgery is a double-board-certified plastic surgeon, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery. Originally trained on the East Coast, Dr. Ashraf was voted a Top Doctor in the Washington, D.C. area before moving back to her home state of California. With over 10 years of experience, she has helped thousands of patients feel more comfortable and confident in their skin.
To schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Ashraf at one of our Southern California locations and begin planning your BBL, please contact us online or call the office most convenient for you:
Contents
About the BBL
The Brazilian butt lift (BBL) is a procedure that enhances the fullness and roundness of the buttocks by transferring fat from other areas of the body to the buttocks, a process called autologous fat grafting. (2) By using the patient’s own body fat, the risk of a reaction is lowered, and the results look and feel more natural compared to procedures that utilize artificial implants. Many patients seek out this treatment not only to improve their aesthetics but also to enhance their confidence and self-esteem.
Benefits of a BBL
There are many benefits associated with a BBL. Patients who undergo this procedure can experience:
- An Improved Silhouette: Patients can experience an enhancement in the size and shape of their buttocks, improving the overall look of their figure.
- Natural-Looking Results: By using one’s own fat, the results can look and feel more natural compared to implant-based procedures.
- Dual Benefits: The use of liposuction to harvest fat leaves patients more toned and contoured in other parts of their body in addition to resculpting the buttocks.
- Long-Lasting Effects: After the transferred fat can fully integrate into the surrounding tissue, the results of each patient’s BBL can remain permanent.
- Minimal Scarring: Each incision is strategically placed to help minimize visibility after healing.
- Customized Treatment: Each aspect of the procedure can be tailored to address each patient’s unique concerns.
Who Makes A Good Candidate?
Brazilian butt lift procedures can appeal to many different types of candidates, but generally, those seeking a BBL are patients who:
- Are interested in enhancing the size and shape of their buttocks.
- Want to improve their figure without the use of artificial implants.
- Have enough natural fat to harvest for the procedure.
All individuals interested in this procedure should be in good overall health and have achieved an ideal, maintainable weight. Dr. Ashraf will determine each patient’s candidacy at their personal consultation.
Personal Consultation
Each patient at Panache Plastic Surgery is asked to attend a personal consultation with Dr. Ashraf before scheduling their procedure. She will meet with each patient to go over each detail of their procedure before performing a comprehensive evaluation. Each patient will discuss their medical history, goals, and concerns before the treatment area is examined. Dr. Ashraf will then craft each patient’s treatment plan, tailoring aspects to help maximize each benefit. Preparation and recovery instructions will also be provided, alongside an all-inclusive price quote.
Schedule your consultation online today or call your closest Southern California office:
Preparation
Dr. Ashraf will provide pre-operative instructions to each patient to help them prepare for their BBL procedure. Patients may need to avoid the use of medications or supplements with blood-thinning properties, as well as fasting for a period leading up to the procedure. Those who smoke should cease the use of tobacco or other nicotine products several weeks before their appointment, refraining from use until fully healed. Patients will need to pre-arrange transportation home after the procedure, as well as arrange for any assistance during their initial healing period. Individuals who have recently undergone significant weight loss should be at a stable, maintainable weight, as fluctuations in weight can affect the results of the procedure.
Procedure
The procedure will begin with the administration of general anesthesia to ensure each patient feels comfortable and relaxed. Dr. Ashraf will use liposuction techniques to remove fat cells from the donor area with a specialized cannula. Areas used for fat harvesting may include the thighs, flanks, abdomen, or lower back. After being extracted, the fat is processed and purified to ensure only the most viable, healthy cells are used. Dr. Ashraf will inject the fat back into the buttocks, contouring it to each patient’s ideal silhouette. She will then carefully close the incisions once each patient’s ideal figure has been achieved.
The duration of each procedure may vary but typically ranges between 2-4 hours. This procedure is performed on an outpatient basis, meaning each individual will be released home on the same day as their appointment.
Recovery
After your procedure, Dr. Ashraf will provide post-operative instructions to facilitate a smooth recovery. Patients can expect to take at least one to two weeks away from work and other social commitments to focus on healing. It is normal for patients to experience swelling and bruising at the treatment site. These effects typically subside within a week and can be managed through the use of pain medications. Dr. Ashraf will also help each patient alter the way they sleep and sit during recovery. After several weeks, the injected fat will start settling into its new placement.
Results
The full results of a BBL may be seen after any residual swelling diminishes and injected fat has settled into its new contours. Patients will be able to enjoy a fuller, more shapely enhancement to their buttocks, as well as an improvement to their overall figure. The donor site from which the fat cells were harvested may also appear more toned and slim. Individuals who undergo this procedure often report enhanced self-confidence as the techniques used by Dr. Ashraf are associated with high patient satisfaction rates. (3)
By using fat cells instead of implants, patients will be able to enjoy a natural look and feel in their backside. The results of a BBL are long-lasting and often permanent, but patients should still ensure they maintain a healthy lifestyle to prolong its effects.
Corresponding Procedures
A Brazilian butt lift can be combined with many other treatments for more comprehensive results, one of the most popular being the thigh lift. A thigh lift, also known as a thighplasty, is a procedure that removes excess fat and skin to rebalance and enhance one’s contours. Performing both procedures together creates a more proportional, seamless transition between the two areas. Combining the treatments will also reduce the overall recovery time.
Dr. Ashraf can help recommend the best complementary procedures to each patient interested in a combined procedure. Candidacy for other procedures will be determined by each patient’s medical history, anatomy, and ideal results.
To learn more about the other treatments we offer at Panache Plastic Surgery, please refer to Dr. Ashraf’s blog!
The Cost of a BBL in Southern California
The cost of each BBL procedure will vary depending on multiple factors, as each procedure is crafted to address each patient’s concerns. Dr. Ashraf will provide an all-inclusive quote at each patient’s personal consultation after establishing their treatment plan.
Panache Plastic Surgery is proud to be partnered with multiple reputable lending companies to help each of our patients finance the cost of their procedure.
Begin planning your personalized BBL today by scheduling a consultation online. If you have any further questions, please call either of our offices.
FAQ
What is the difference between a BBL and liposuction?
Liposuction is a procedure designed to remove stubborn, unwanted fat from the body and can either be performed in conjunction with another procedure or on its own. A BBL is a surgical procedure that uses liposuction to remove fat from other parts of the body before re-injecting it into the buttocks for enhanced effects.
Where will the fat be removed from during a BBL?
The fat can be harvested from a variety of places, including the thighs, flank, and lower back. The donor area will be predetermined at each patient’s personal consultation.
How much fat is removed during a BBL?
Dr. Ashraf will remove varying amounts of fat from each patient, depending on their anatomy and the amount of injections needed to achieve their ideal results.
Will I be able to sit after my BBL?
You should avoid sitting or putting pressure on your BBL during recovery. Dr. Ashraf will help instruct you on how to sit, rest, and complete other tasks without compromising your results. Patients will be able to sit after the transferred fat has fully settled and integrated into its new placement.
Will my BBL be painful?
For most procedures, each patient will receive general anesthesia before their BBL to alleviate any discomfort during the procedure itself. However, it is common to experience discomfort during your recovery, and pain medications may be prescribed to manage this.
References
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons ® Endorsed Partner.; 2023. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/news/statistics/2023/plastic-surgery-statistics-report-2023.pdf
- Shauly O, Gould DJ, Ghavami A. Fat Grafting: Basic Science, Techniques, and Patient Management. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open. 2022;10(3):e3987. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/gox.0000000000003987
- 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