After undergoing your Brazilian butt lift procedure, your BBL recovery time will be nearly as important as the BBL procedure itself. Up ahead, we’ve laid out all of the BBL recovery knowledge you’ll need for this period, including how to wear your compression garments, how to manage pain levels with pain medication, and how to sleep and sit in the appropriate manner.

We’ll also discuss how to keep up with healthy eating habits throughout your recovery and when you can gradually begin to resume physical activities. It’s essential to be watchful for any signs or symptoms of complications that may arise as well.

What You’ll Learn:

• The importance of following post op BBL care instructions to ensure optimal BBL results
• How to use compression garments and pain medication as supplies
• Creative solutions for sitting & sleeping positions and why they are important during recovery
• How to regularly monitor symptoms during the healing in order to promote optimal outcomes and address any signs of concern immediately

Understanding BBL Post Op Care

A Brazilian butt lift is a unique surgical procedure that involves taking fat from other body parts, such as the abdomen or thighs, and injecting it into the buttocks and hips in order to enhance volume and/or change your overall shape. Post op care plays an important role in achieving optimal results with this fat transfer surgery. Things like wearing your compression garment regularly during BBL recovery can be extremely beneficial.

You may experience discomfort, inflammation, and fluid drainage following your BBL procedure. But adhering to your post operative instructions during those first few weeks will help minimize risks while ensuring longer lasting BBL results.

The Role of Fat Cells in BBL Procedures

Not all fat cells will be absorbed by the body after a fat transfer procedure such as a BBL. In order to ensure the maximal number of fat cells transferred survive, it is important for surgeons to add more than enough new fat cells during the reinjection phase.

In addition, to protect the injected fat and ensure the fat cells’ survival following a BBL, patients are encouraged not to sit on or put direct pressure on their buttocks and hips until an adequate amount of time has passed. This may be for two to four weeks or more.

Finally, wearing compression garments should also be a part of your recovery plan. Always wear your garment as instructed by your surgeon.

Compression Garments Kit: A Key Component to BBL Aftercare

Compression garments are essential for a successful BBL recovery as they aid in minimizing swelling and provide comfort while still offering optimal contouring results. It is advisable to wear your garment anywhere from three to six weeks post-surgery. Some patients may require up to eight weeks of use.

The first two or three weeks will call for you to wear your compression garment 24 hours a day. After that, most patients can simply wear it for 12 hours at a time. You want your garment to fit snugly but comfortably so that not too much tension or discomfort results.

Managing Pain and Discomfort with Pain Medications

To make your recovery from Brazilian butt lift surgery more comfortable and pleasant, it is imperative to properly manage pain and discomfort. The most common areas of postoperative soreness are those where liposuction was performed. Fortunately, your surgeon will prescribe the proper pain medications, which can help alleviate more severe pain until the discomfort dissipates naturally.

Tips to Minimize Swelling

Swelling can also cause its own form of discomfort. To reduce swelling, first, wear your compression garment according to your surgeon’s instructions. This will help speed up healing and promote better blood flow.

Furthermore, drink plenty of water and other fluids. Finally, if allowed by your surgeon, 15- to 20-minute intervals of applying ice packs or cold compresses wrapped with towels and

Sitting and Sleeping Positions

For a successful BBL recovery, it is necessary to avoid putting pressure on the buttocks or any incision sites. As such, proper sitting and sleeping positions during this period are critical. We want to increase the survival rate of fat cells as much as possible.

Still, it can be difficult not to put pressure on your buttocks or hips. So, to make this goal more achievable, below, we have provided suggestions for both sitting positions and sleeping positions. Use these tips to maintain optimal results from your BBL while minimizing any extra strain or discomfort.

Creative Solutions for Sitting

When it comes to sitting during Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) recovery, utilizing a specialized BBL pillow can help. Such pillows are specifically designed for post-surgery BBL patients to ensure less pressure is applied on the buttock area. Likewise, you might simply try avoiding sitting for the initial 10 to 14 days (or more) of recovery. Though, this can be challenging.

Other innovative solutions that can be used include using an inflatable pool ring to more evenly distribute pressure, getting a nursing pillow to relieve pressure, or using any type of donut-shaped cushion under one’s thighs so as to shift pressure away from the buttocks.

Sleeping Recommendations After Brazilian Butt Lifts

Not all fat cells will be absorbed by the body after a fat transfer procedure such as a BBL. In order to ensure the maximal number of fat cells transferred survive, it is important for surgeons to add more than enough new fat cells during the reinjection phase.

In addition, to protect the injected fat and ensure the fat cells’ survival following a BBL, patients are encouraged not to sit on or put direct pressure on their buttocks and hips until an adequate amount of time has passed. This may be for two to four weeks or more.

Finally, wearing compression garments should also be a part of your recovery plan. Always wear your garment as instructed by your surgeon.

Compression Garments: A Key Component to BBL Aftercare

Compression garments are essential for a successful BBL recovery as they aid in minimizing swelling and provide comfort while still offering optimal contouring results. It is advisable to wear your garment anywhere from three to six weeks post-surgery. Some patients may require up to eight weeks of use.

The first two or three weeks will call for you to wear your compression garment 24 hours a day. After that, most patients can simply wear it for 12 hours at a time. You want your garment to fit snugly but comfortably so that not too much tension or discomfort results.

Managing Pain and Discomfort with Pain Medications

To make your recovery from Brazilian butt lift surgery more comfortable and pleasant, it is imperative to properly manage pain and discomfort. The most common areas of postoperative soreness are those where liposuction was performed. Fortunately, your surgeon will prescribe the proper pain medications, which can help alleviate more severe pain until the discomfort dissipates naturally.

Tips to Minimize Swelling

Swelling can also cause its own form of discomfort. To reduce swelling, first, wear your compression garment according to your surgeon’s instructions. This will help speed up healing and promote better blood flow.

Furthermore, drink plenty of water and other fluids. Finally, if allowed by your surgeon, 15- to 20-minute intervals of applying ice packs or cold compresses wrapped with towels may be used.

Sitting and Sleeping Positions

For a successful BBL recovery, it is necessary to avoid putting pressure on the buttocks or any incision sites. As such, proper sitting and sleeping positions during this period are critical. We want to increase the survival rate of fat cells as much as possible.

Still, it can be difficult not to put pressure on your buttocks or hips. So, to make this goal more achievable, below, we have provided suggestions for both sitting positions and sleeping positions. Use these tips to maintain optimal results from your BBL while minimizing any extra strain or discomfort.

Creative Solutions for Sitting

When it comes to sitting during Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) recovery, utilizing a specialized BBL pillow can help. Such pillows are specifically designed for post-surgery BBL patients to ensure less pressure is applied on the buttock area. Likewise, you might simply try avoiding sitting for the initial 10 to 14 days (or more) of recovery. Though, this can be challenging.

Other innovative solutions that can be used include using an inflatable pool ring to more evenly distribute pressure, getting a nursing pillow to relieve pressure, or using any type of donut-shaped cushion under one’s thighs so as to shift pressure away from the buttocks.

Sleeping Recommendations After Brazilian Butt Lifts

 

For successful healing after a Brazilian butt lift, restful sleep is paramount. During the recovery period, it is advised that you be in a slanted or face-down posture so as not to apply too much pressure on those newly transplanted fat cells on your buttocks and hips.

To ensure you remain this way during your sleep (and that your buttocks aren’t put under any stress from any angle), try slipping a pillow between your legs when you lie down. Propping yourself up in the ideal position with pillows can help maintain the proper position while you get quality rest. If you do this for about a week, your body should get used to your new sleeping position.

Nutrition and Diet for Optimal Healing

During the recovery period after BBL surgery, nutrition and a healthy diet play a pivotal role in facilitating healing. To optimize your diet, eating foods like fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins is key. This will help with a faster post-surgery recovery and will provide better overall health and wellbeing.

In order to maximize your successful recovery from plastic surgery of any sort, it’s important that you know how to construct a healthy diet. Also, because you will be resting and sleeping more often, it’s important to be aware of eating too many snacks or too much junk food.

Foods to Include

To ensure your recovery from BBL surgery goes as well as possible, it’s important to consume an array of lean proteins, healthy fats, fresh fruits, and complex carbohydrates. Eating a mixture of these foods will allow you to obtain the vital amino acids needed for proper muscle growth, the necessary fatty acids to promote cell membrane health and hormone production, the antioxidants and vitamins to nurture your immune system strength, and the fiber you need for a healthy digestive system.

Foods to Avoid

When recovering from a BBL procedure, it is important to restrict the amount of sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats you consume. These ingredients can cause irritation and slow down healing times. Fast food, deep-fried items, and sugary beverages should be avoided as much as possible.

Alcoholic drinks and caffeine should also be avoided during recovery as they can interfere with the healing process. Opting for healthy meals consisting of natural ingredients will ensure an effective outcome in your recuperation journey.

Gradually Resuming Physical Activity

Post-BBL surgery, it is important to start resuming physical activities slowly. Your doctor will help you determine when and how to do this, but as a general rule of thumb, light activities can be resumed after around four weeks.

It is critical that during the early stages of recovery, any strenuous exercises be avoided altogether because they could harm or hinder your healing process and detrimentally affect fat cell survival rates. Below, we offer some tips for easy exercises and indicate at which point vigorous exercise can become part of your rehabilitation program again.

Light Activity Recommendations

During the initial stages of your BBL recovery, it is recommended that you begin incorporating some light activity like walking into your daily routine. Walking can have a great impact on accelerating healing and improving your overall results as it boosts blood circulation in your body.

In addition, after several weeks, some gentle stretching exercises may be able to be incorporated to warm up your muscles. You must always follow your surgeon’s guidance, however, and do not rush to excessively strenuous activities too quickly.

When to Resume More Intense Exercise

Again, always consult your plastic surgeon before moving to more strenuous exercises (such as running or weightlifting) after a BBL. It’s usually recommended that individuals wait at least 6 weeks before pushing their bodies further than simple walking and light stretching. Everyone’s recovery process will vary, however, so closely follow the advice of your surgeon for the best results.

In addition, respect what your body can handle during this time. You want long-term success, so avoid rushing yourself into strenuous exercise too soon.

Monitoring for Complications and Adverse Symptoms

As a final note, it is essential to be watchful of any unusual signs that could suggest complications or adverse effects. This will help you ensure a safe and successful recuperation.

Below, we will discuss both normal symptoms after BBL surgery and warning indications that necessitate informing your surgeon immediately.

Common Symptoms to Expect After a BBL

It is typical to experience soreness, fluid draining from incisions sites, as well as swelling and bruising around the surgical area after a BBL. Typically, you can alleviate pain by taking prescribed medications and following postoperative instructions such as wearing a compression garment and sticking to proper sitting and sleeping positions. Everybody’s recovery process differs, though, so always consult your surgeon if you have questions about symptoms.

Signs of Concern After a BBL

If you experience severe pain or fever or notice any kind of infection symptoms, this should be reported to your surgeon immediately. Prompt action in this situation can help reduce the possibility of more serious complications occurring as well as guarantee a successful recovery overall.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I take care of myself after BBL surgery?

Avoid sitting directly on your buttocks after BBL surgery. Wear your compression garment, take slow short walks to boost circulation, and minimize pressure on the area by laying on your side or stomach instead.

Utilizing a BBL pillow can provide a comfortable cushion while taking pressure off your buttocks if you must sit.

What is the fastest way to recover from a BBL?

In order to recover quickly from a BBL, sitting and sleeping on your back should be avoided for several weeks (consult your surgeon for exact times). Drink plenty of water while eating healthy foods. Do not smoke. Finally, try to get eight hours or more of sleep each night.

How long do you have drainage after a BBL?

In the hours directly following a BBL, it is not uncommon for minor fluid drainage to occur from your small liposuction incisions. This is completely normal and will end soon. Some patients may have drains placed, which will be removed shortly. Other patients won’t need drains.

Stay vigilant by keeping your incision sites dry and also taking your medications according to your prescribed instructions. As always, stay out of hot tubs, the sun, and tanning beds after surgery. Do not shower until cleared to do so by your surgeon.

Contact Us to Schedule a Consultation

If you are interested in BBL surgery and would like to find out if you’d be a good candidate for this transformational procedure, please contact our office today and schedule a consultation appointment with double board certified plastic surgeon Dr. David Sieber.

Dr. Sieber and his experienced team would be glad to help you decide if this amazing surgery could benefit you.

References

https://www.verywellhealth.com/brazilian-butt-lift-recovery-5086814

Patients frequently show up at their breast augmentation consultation appointments consultation appointments and end up asking the question, “Do breast implants cause breast cancer”? 

Unfortunately, the answer is quite complicated. 

In short, it’s possible, but rare. The longer answer is not nearly as simple. So, let’s dive in. 

Do Breast Implants Cause Cancer?

Although breast implants have been around since 1961, it wasn’t until 1997 that a woman was found to have developed a rare lymphoma called anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) related to her breast implants. Today, this lymphoma is called breast implant associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL).

Reports in recent media of breast implants causing breast cancer are referring to BIA-ALCL, which is not related to primary breast cancer. It’s very important that patients understand the difference between BIA-ALCL and breast cancer as they are two totally different diseases with very different prognoses and treatment options.

How BIA-ALCL Differs From Breast Cancer

There are several factors which make these two types of cancers very different. The most important factor is that because BIA-ALCL is a lymphoma, it is a disease originating from the immune cells in the body and not from the breast tissue.

To date, there have been a little over 300 reported cases of BIA-ALCL worldwide. That’s in over 50,000,000 women with breast implants. 

Furthermore, these women all have one thing in common: They all had breast augmentations with textured silicone breast implants. As far as we know, there has never been a case of BIA-ALCL in a woman who had smooth breast implants.

Do Silicone Breast Implants Cause Cancer?

It’s not silicone implants that are likely the causal factor with BIA-ALCL, but rather, the textured surface of some implants. Many patients get these features confused, so when they ask, do silicone breast implants cause breast cancer, it’s important to clarify the difference between silicone smooth implants and silicone textured implants. 

Generally speaking, breast implant surgery with textured implants is performed when a patient wants teardrop or anatomical implants. The teardrop shape requires texturing so that the implants don’t rotate inside the implant pocket and cause an unnatural appearance.

So, what is it about textured breast implants that makes BIA-ALCL only occur in some patients? We believe the texturing on the breast implant allows for bacteria to hideout within the nooks and crannies of the silicone shell. Bacteria are smart, and they know that as soon as they enter the body, the immune system will be looking for them. 

Therefore, they do something very unique: A few bacteria cells make a covering over themselves called a biofilm. This biofilm acts like a barrier between the bacteria and the immune system.

So, even though the body knows the bacteria is there, despite its best efforts, it can’t get to it to destroy it. What happens over time is that the normal immune cells get frustrated trying day and night to get to these bacteria, and then the immune cells start to mutate. This mutation then prevents the cells from acting as they normally do.

Over a long period of time, these textured breast implants raise the likelihood that the formation of a lymphoma may occur. Most women presenting with BIA-ACLC get through their recovery time for breast implants just fine and don’t have a problem for many years. It’s usually those who’ve had their breast implants for 10 to 15 years who end up showing symptoms after this time. This is because the cellular transformation process takes a very long time.

Symptoms of BIA-ALCL

Here are some of the symptoms that may be related to BIA-ALCL:

• Breast swelling
• Breast hardening
• Lumps in the armpit or breast
• Breast pain
• Red skin rash on or around the breast

Cosmetic Breast Augmentation and Cancer: Is BIA-ALCL Treatable With Breast Cancer Surgery?

The promising news about breast implant associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma is that it is very treatable. Current studies recommend removing the breast implant or implants as well as the scar tissue capsule around the implants (note: breast implants before and after the initial healing period post-augmentation look very different; the formation of scar tissue around implants occurs over time and is completely normal). Scar tissue and implant removal is curative of this rare cancer in the vast majority of cases.

Cancer Risk and Death Rate

So, what is your actual risk of dying from BIA-ALCL if you have textured breast implants for your entire life?

In order to understand this question we need to introduce a term called a micromort. One micromort is a one in 1,000,000 chance of dying from a certain activity. 

The concept of micromorts was originally developed to help evaluate high risk activities such as mountaineering or skydiving, as well as other common everyday activities. For instance, drinking 0.5L of wine, living two days in NYC, riding a bicycle for 17 miles, riding in a car for 230 miles, or traveling by plane for 1000 miles all increase your risk of dying by one micromort. 

In terms of BIA-ALCL, the micromort risk for a woman with bilateral breast implants over her lifetime is only 0.4 micromorts. That means you’re five times more likely to die every time you drink a bottle of wine or spend four days in New York City, than you are from BIA-ALCL related to textured implants!

Is the Risk Worth It?

The short answer is although there are reports of breast implants causing cancer, the incidence of BIA-ALCL is extremely low and if a woman is diagnosed early, the disease is very treatable.

Book a Consultation to Learn More

For more information on BIA-ALCL, please read my article in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal as featured in Allure and Refinery29 entitled, “What’s your Micromort? A Patient-Oriented Analysis of Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL).”

For more information on breast implants, breast implant shapes, or breast augmentation surgery with San Francisco cosmetic surgeon Dr. Sieber, give us a call at 415-915-9000 to schedule a consultation appointment.