Dr. Arturo Valdez

How Long Does a Brazilian Butt Lift Last

In today’s society, curviness has made a comeback. And part of this trend is larger buttocks, which can enhance a person’s overall shape.

Some people are naturally blessed with a large posterior, and others have to work for it. But even if you work out hard, you may not achieve your dream shape.

A Brazilian butt lift (BBL) can move things along, as a surgeon can take excess fat from other parts of your body through liposuction and inject it into your buttocks. But how long does a Brazilian butt lift last? Is it worth the money spent?


Read on to find out the answers so you can determine if the procedure is right for you.

How Long Does a Brazilian Butt Lift Last?

Asking, “How long does a BBL last?” is similar to asking how long a piece of string is. The reality is that it really depends on several factors, such as how well the fat survives, your lifestyle habits, and how good your post-operative care is.

With that said, the results can be long-lasting, and in the right circumstances, they can even be permanent. However, do note that not all transferred fat will survive the initial healing process.

Research shows that only 50% of the fat injected survives definitively; that may sound low, but the fat that successfully integrates with your body’s blood supply will stay permanent. Also, it may bring you peace of mind to know that on average, 60-80% of the transferred fat cells survive after the first 3-6 months. You’ll see the full results around six months post-surgery.

Now, let’s go over the factors that affect how long a BBL lasts in detail.

Surgeon Skill and Fat Harvesting Technique

If you choose a highly experienced surgeon, then they’ll most likely use advanced fat processing methods. These will increase the likelihood of long-lasting results.

Post-Operative Care

We can’t stress how important the first few weeks after surgery are. They can literally make or break your results, so it’s imperative that you follow all aftercare instructions given by your surgeon.

In addition, you should wear compression garments as recommended and avoid sitting directly on your buttocks for at least two weeks.

Lifestyle Choices

Another essential factor that affects your BBL results is your lifestyle choices. You must maintain a healthy weight, as large weight fluctuations can significantly impact your results.

Can You Lose Your BBL if You Lose Weight?

As we’ve mentioned before, most patients are after the perfect body shape. A BBL can provide you with a larger posterior, as well as a thinner waist if the fat’s extracted from there. 

However, you might want to make the hourglass shape even more noticeable, so you want to lose weight. But will that make your BBL results diminish too?

The answer is yes. Since the BBL uses your own fat cells, these behave just like all other fat in your body.

If you lose a significant amount of weight, then the fat in your buttocks may shrink. As a result, you’ll have reduced volume and contour.

On the other hand, if you gain weight, then it can increase the size of your posterior. But this may also affect other areas unevenly.

This is why in an earlier section, we advised against significant weight fluctuations. Plus, stay within 5-10 pounds of your goal weight before the procedure to reduce the chances of major changes in the future.

Can a BBL Be Reversed?

Studies show that in the last five years, there has been an increase in interest in reverse BBLs, especially since celebrities have been in the news for this procedure. So yes, a BBL can be reversed.

People also ask, “Can you get a BBL removed?” And the answer is “sort of.”

BBL reversal/removal isn’t simple though, so it’s not always recommended. The surgeon has to liposuction some fat off the buttocks if you’re not happy with the size or shape of them. This in itself is challenging, especially if the fat’s already well-integrated or is unevenly distributed; as a result, very few patients can go this route.

In addition, there are risks associated with a reversal. Not only can you get contour irregularities, but also scarring and potential dissatisfaction with your new appearance.

If you ignore the above risks, there’s still a major concern with a BBL reversal: sagging skin. Without the fat, your skin will sag like a balloon does after you deflate it. It’s very likely you’ll need skin tightening or removal to rectify this.

Despite all this, there are good reasons for a BBL reversal. For example, if you have medical complications (such as fat necrosis or infection), then the surgeon might recommend a reversal.

Tips to Maintain Your BBL Results

A BBL can last “forever” if you’re proactive about maintaining the results. 

As we’ve said earlier, you should maintain a consistent weight. Eating a balanced and nutrient-rich diet can also help, as it can nourish your fat cells. Gentle exercises help too (once you’re cleared).

Avoid smoking and limit alcohol consumption. These things can affect the healing process.

And again, avoid sitting on your buttocks for as long as possible. If you must sit, then use a BBL pillow.

Get Long-Term Results With a BBL

So how long does a Brazilian butt lift last? Theoretically, it can last you a lifetime, but you need to take good care of your body and follow all post-operative care instructions. Also, choosing a reputable plastic surgeon will help immensely, as they’ll inject the fat with precision.

If you have any questions or complications, make sure you contact your surgeon. Consistent communication with them can prevent more serious problems from happening and can help you keep up the posterior you desire. And if you ever want it reversed, you can speak to your surgeon about that too.

Get in touch with us today if you’d like to schedule a consultation for a BBL. Dr. Valdez has over 16 years of experience with various procedures and uses advanced techniques.

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