One area that many people focus on is the posterior. After all, with the right shaped buttocks, you can have a nice figure that not only fills out your outfits perfectly, but also catches everyone’s eyes.
Unfortunately, not all of us are blessed in that department. And while you can do as many squats as you’d like, you may not get the ideal results you’re wishing for.
An effective way to make your dreams come true is to get a Brazilian butt lift. What is a Brazilian butt lift, and what should you know about this procedure? Read on to find out more.
What Is a Brazilian Butt Lift?
So, what is a BBL? The BBL meaning is “Brazilian butt lift,” and it’s a cosmetic surgery that enhances both the size and shape of your buttocks.
It uses the patient’s own fat, so it’s a great way to plump up your behind while eliminating fat in other places. This procedure’s gained popularity since you can get a more curvaceous and youthful silhouette, all without using implants.
Why Is It Called a Brazilian Butt Lift?
This surgery is called the Brazilian butt lift because the pioneer of it was Brazilian. Dr. Ivo Pitanguy is often credited with the creation of this procedure, but the reality is, fat transfer had already been done for years before him. However, he became well known for the BBL, and that’s where the name comes from.
How Does a Brazilian Butt Lift Work?
A Brazilian butt lift works by first liposuctioning excess fat from areas like the abdomen, thighs, flanks, or lower back. It’s then purified and then strategically injected into the buttocks, which results in enhanced volume, shape, and projection.
Who’s a Good Candidate for a BBL?
Unfortunately, not everyone will be a good candidate for this surgery. For example, as with all surgeries, you should be in good overall health, not a smoker, and have no major medical conditions. You must also have realistic expectations about the BBL.
In addition, you need to have firm, elastic skin that can accommodate the fat transfer. And on that note, if you’re very thin, you may not be a good candidate, as you won’t have enough fat for liposuction. In that case, if you still want to augment your posterior, you may need to gain weight before surgery or consider implants instead.
Your lifestyle will play a huge role too. You must be committed to staying healthy through both proper nutrition and fitness. Without proper care, your BBL results can become undone fast.
How Much Does a BBL Cost?
In the US, the average price for a Brazilian butt lift is $7,264, and this is for the procedure alone. If you factor in other charges, such as anesthesia and operating room facilities, then the total cost can be much higher.
If you find this amount to be too high, then think about getting a BBL in Mexico. In general, surgery in this country is significantly cheaper, but you won’t have to compromise on quality either. You’ll find world-class plastic surgeons in Mexico, such as Dr Valdez, plus you can recover in a beautiful area.
What Should I Expect From a Brazilian Butt Lift?
There are several steps to getting a Brazilian butt lift, and you might be nervous or curious about them (or both). We’ll walk you through the whole procedure below.
Pre-Procedure Preparations
The first step toward a BBL is scheduling a consultation with a surgeon. You can discuss your goals and expectations, and they’ll evaluate your body fat distribution to determine whether you’re a good candidate.
If you are, then they can move forward and create a customized surgical plan. That may include lifestyle changes.
In general, you should avoid smoking and alcohol for at least 4-6 weeks before surgery, as both can interfere with healing. Significant weight fluctuations can affect your results, so achieving a stable weight can help immensely. You may also need to stop certain medications (such as blood thinners) as per your surgeon’s instructions.
Because you’re going through a surgical procedure, you’ll have to arrange for transportation and post-op care too. You’ll need someone to drive you home and take care of you for the first few days after surgery.
The Brazilian Butt Lift Procedure
First, you’ll be given anesthesia. In most cases, it’ll be general anesthesia, but some patients will get intravenous sedation instead.
Then, then surgeon will perform liposuction and remove excess fat from areas like your abdomen, flanks, back, or thighs. They’ll achieve this through a thin cannula (tube) and suction device. This helps contour the donor areas, which will enhance your overall body shape.
The harvested fat from the liposuction procedure will be purified to remove impurities, excess fluids, and dead cells. The best-quality fat cells are then strategically injected into your buttocks.
Lastly, your surgeon will close the small incisions with sutures.
The Recovery Process
We have a thorough guide on the recovery process, but here’s a quick rundown.
In the first few days, you’ll experience swelling, bruising, and discomfort. There may be some fluid drainage from the liposuction sites.
After that, you aren’t allowed to sit on your buttocks for up to two months. If you must sit, you should use a BBL pillow.
As for physical activity, you should keep it light until the first month, when you can start doing low-impact exercises again.
Get the Curves You’ve Always Wanted
So what is a Brazilian butt lift? It’s a procedure that involves liposuctioning excess fat and injecting it into the buttocks. The result is a more contoured look that accentuates your posterior.
While it’s a surgery, it’s not as invasive as other options, such as butt lift surgery. So it’s a fantastic way to get the curves you’ve always wanted, especially if you’re bothered about excess fat.
Schedule an appointment with us today if you’d like to get a BBL. Dr. Valdez is a specialist in both cosmetic and plastic surgery and welcomes you to our state-of-the-art facility in Cancun.
References:
- Bhattacharya S. Dr. Ivo Pitanguy: Strived for a ‘human right to beauty.’ Indian J Plast Surg. 2016;49(3):300-301. doi:10.4103/0970-0358.197240
- Buttock Enhancement Candidates. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Accessed March 19, 2025. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/buttock-enhancement/candidates
- Buttock Enhancement Cost. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Accessed March 19, 2025. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/buttock-enhancement/cost
- Fernandez AC, Bohnert KM, Bicket MC, Weng W, Singh K, Englesbe M. Adverse Surgical Outcomes Linked to Co-occurring Smoking and Risky Alcohol Use Among General Surgery Patients. Annals of Surgery. 2023;278(2):201. doi:10.1097/SLA.0000000000005735
- Buttock Enhancement Procedure Steps. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Accessed March 19, 2025. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/buttock-enhancement/procedure