Body

Brazilian Butt Lift

San Francisco Brazilian Butt Lift

Butts come in all shapes and sizes. Some of us are lucky enough to be born with the derrière of our dreams, but many more are not. Diet and exercise can shape our bodies to a certain degree, but our genetics, skeletal structure and how and where our bodies store fat will ultimately determine the size and shape of the buttocks. That’s why no matter how many squats or booty building exercises someone does, there is a limitation to what can be achieved. To overcome these genetic limitations, many individuals who wish to improve the fullness and appearance of their posterior opt for a Brazilian butt lift. This is a surgical procedure designed to help reshape and restore volume to the buttocks.*

Essentially two surgeries in one, the Brazilian butt lift works by taking fat from one area of the body and transferring it to the butt, which allows for added volume and reshaping to create a more aesthetically pleasing contour. A Brazilian butt lift usually starts with liposuction, which harvests the fat from another part of the body also known as fat transfer. That transferred fat is then processed to remove impurities and excess fluids, then strategically injected to shape and contour the buttocks to achieve the desired look. In addition to improving the look of the posterior, Brazilian butt lifts often have the added benefit of making other areas of the body, such as the waist and stomach, appear more toned since fat is harvested from areas with a surplus.*

Am I a Good Candidate for a Brazilian butt lift?

With the rise in social media and photo editing apps, it’s common to see images of women with voluptuous booties and tiny waists, but oftentimes these photos are digitally altered and not realistic in real life. Therefore you should have realistic expectations of what a Brazilian butt lift can and can’t do for your body.

The best candidates will be in good health, have adequate fat stores from which fat can be harvested to transfer to the buttocks, have good skin tone in the hips and butt, and be able to take adequate time off and not sit directly on their butts for at least two weeks.

It’s important to note that Brazilian butt lifts don’t address loose skin on the buttocks or thighs, so if that is a concern, a thigh lift may be a better option.

To find out more about a San Francisco Bay Area Brazilian Butt Lift with San Francisco Plastic Surgeon Dr. David Sieber, call us today at: 415-915-9000 or schedule a consultation here.

Brazilian Butt Lift Technique

In this outpatient procedure, Double Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Sieber, will use liposuction to harvest unwanted fat from certain areas on your body, usually the flanks, hips, back, and/or stomach, and carefully place it into your backside. This dual procedure can help create not only a shapelier backside, but it can also help define the appearance of the parts of your body where the fat was taken.* Each procedure is unique and based on the needs and desires of the patient, but many procedures are designed to create a rounded, lifted, and shapelier buttocks.*

Preparing for Brazilian Butt Lift Surgery

As with any other major surgery, medications and supplements that can increase the risk of bleeding must be stopped two weeks before surgery. You should speak with your primary care physician before stopping any prescribed medications.

Many common and popular over-the-counter health supplements, such as fish oil, Ginkgo biloba and St. John’s wort, can raise the risk of bleeding in some individuals. Please see our list of medications and supplements to avoid, and if you are unsure, please discuss with San Francisco Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Sieber.

You shouldn’t smoke at all, but if you do smoke (or vape), it’s best to quit at least four weeks before surgery to avoid any wound complications and the body’s ability to heal. Nicotine causes blood vessels to constrict and narrow, limiting the amount of blood and oxygen that flow throughout your body. Avoiding smoking or exposure to smoke is critical for Brazilian butt lift patients, because the newly transferred fat cells need to establish a healthy blood supply in order to survive and remain in their new location.

Recovery from Brazilian Butt Lift Surgery

It’s important to note that not all of the fat that is transferred to your butt during surgery will survive. About 50 to 75% of the fat cells will survive. Your body will naturally reabsorb and eliminate the rest. Newly transferred fat cells are somewhat fragile and need to be as undisturbed as possible so that they can establish their own new blood supply and stay put where they were transferred to.

For the first two weeks after surgery, sitting directly on your butt may affect the ability of the fat cells to “take,” meaning fewer will survive. Sitting directly on your butt may kill some of the fat cells you need to create the shape you are hoping for, adversely affecting your results.

Because you will not be able to sit directly on your butt for the first 2 weeks after the procedure, you will need to sleep on your stomach or side. When watching TV or working on the computer, lie on your stomach or rest on your hip. You can roll up a towel or yoga mat placed under the thighs to place pressure on the thighs instead of your butt. Some patients buy a “donut” seat or Boppy pillow for sitting. Normal activity is typically allowed after 8 weeks or so.

You will likely experience a fair amount of swelling in your butt right after surgery, but this should begin subsiding within 48-72 hours. You will likely have extensive bruising and swelling in the area or areas where liposuction and fat transfer was performed, so you’ll need to wear a compression garment over those areas for at least 6-8 weeks after the surgery. This will help reduce the buildup of fluid underneath the skin, reduce swelling and will help loose skin retract. You can use ice to help reduce swelling, both around your buttocks and other areas of your body, but ice packs should be applied only for a short time, as they can freeze the skin, which could impact the fat’s ability to thrive in the new location.

Immediately after surgery, the more time you’re able to spend on your feet, the better. You’ll be able to resume light cardio a couple of weeks after surgery and more strenuous exercise about a month after the procedure. At six weeks post-surgery, you’ll be released to full activities.

Depending on how much liposuction was done and how much fat was transferred, you’ll see your final results as soon as three months after the surgery, though it could take as long as six months to see the full final results.*

Brazilian Butt Lift FAQs

Q: I have a really flat butt. Will a Brazilian butt lift help give me more of a boost?

A: A Brazilian butt lift surgery can not only enhance the shape, but it can create a completely new shape to your butt if you’re unhappy with what you have now.*

Q: I’m very thin, and I don’t think I have enough fat to transfer to my butt. Are there other options?

A: In slimmer patients, some extra fat can be collected from the arms, inner and outer thighs. However, if you don’t have enough donor fat for your procedure, there is a higher risk contour irregularities from the liposuction. For those who are very lean with not enough donor fat, gluteal implants may be the only way to achieve the desired aesthetic. However, there are added risks such as higher risk for infection, capsular contracture, as well as looking and feeling less natural. Other treatments such as Sculptra injections are also available to thinner patients. Although not as dramatic as fat transfer, Sculptra can create subtle refinements in the shape of the butt.

Q: My butt has a great deal of cellulite on it. Can my Brazilian butt lift help alleviate that dimpled appearance?

A: Cellulite appears when fat pushes its way through the connective tissue under the skin, resulting in a dimpled and uneven surface. It’s possible to see some improvement in cellulite after a Brazilian butt lift, however there is also the chance that the increase in fat can place additional pressure on that tissue, making the appearance worse. If cellulite is a concern, Dr. Sieber may recommend treating the cellulite first before completing a Brazilian butt lift.

Q: I want to create a natural appearance. Is this possible with a Brazilian butt lift?

A: Yes, in fact, the procedure was designed specifically to create a more natural appearance than butt-reshaping implants. During a Brazilian butt lift, your body’s own fat is used whereas butt implants involve inserting shaped implants which can look unnatural and move oddly.

Q: What can I do to maximize the amount of fat that will survive after my Brazilian butt lift?

A: The most important thing to do is to follow San Francisco Bay Area Dr. Sieber’s post operative instructions. You will need to avoid putting direct pressure on your butt for at least the first two weeks, so you’ll need to sleep on your stomach and place a pillow or rolled towel under your thighs. It’s also important to wear proper compression to reduce swelling, and to eat enough calories to sustain your body through the healing phase. To have the best chance of long-lasting results, continue a healthy lifestyle and be prepared to maintain rather than lose weight after your procedure. The newly transferred fat cells will behave like the rest of the fat in your body and are susceptible to weight fluctuations, which could impact the final result.

Q: How long will my Brazilian butt lift last?

A: Although the butt will naturally change over time due to aging and gravity, a Brazilian butt lift has long-lasting results because the body is being reshaped by transferring fat cells from one area to another. You can maintain and extend your results by keeping your weight stable and living a healthy lifestyle. Fluctuations in weight can affect the volume in the butt, and change the results.

Q: If I can’t sit on my butt, how am I supposed to rest or sleep?

A: It may seem daunting to avoid sitting for several weeks, but there are a few tips and tricks! For example, you can roll up a towel or yoga mat and place it under your thighs when you sit. This removes the pressure from your butt and places it onto your thighs. There are several butt pillows on the market as well. You can rest or sleep on your stomach or side (as long as fat wasn’t transferred to your hips).

*Disclaimer: Results may vary from person to person. Editorial content, before and after images, and patient testimonials do not constitute a guarantee of specific results. For more information contact San Francisco Bay Area Brazilian Butt Lift Expert Dr. Sieber.