Many patients request a “Brazilian Butt Lift” for a larger or more lifted buttock. Only a relatively few surgeons perform this procedure. Dr. Smith is an expert in this area and has performed many of these procedures. A Brazilian Butt Lift is performed by taking fat from other areas of the body and moving it into the buttocks. Hence, a “Brazilian Butt Lift” is also called “Fat transfer to the buttocks.”
Fat can be moved from almost any area to the buttocks. Usually we use fat from the waist and abdomen. This accomplishes two goals, we get fat transfer to the buttocks, and when the waist and the abdomen are smaller, it makes the buttocks look larger. Sometimes to obtain the enough fat, fat must be harvested from many areas including the inner thighs and arms. This has the advantage of making those areas thinner.
When the fat is placed in the buttocks, Dr. Smith will typically place it in the middle and upper part of the buttocks. In general, Dr. Smith does not place the fat in the bottom or outer part of the buttocks because he does not want the buttocks to look more wide, flat, or droopy. By placing the fat in the center and top of the buttocks; the buttocks will look more round, higher, larger and sexier.
Many people worry that the fat transfer to the buttocks will not work because the fat will go away if they lose weight. This is simply not true. It is important to understand the nature of fat cells. The number and distribution of fat cells that a person has, remains relatively constant after adulthood is reached. When a person gains weight, they do not grow new fat cells. Instead, the fat cells that they already have act like little balloons and expand. Conversely, when a person loses weight, the fat cells do not go away, they simply deflate or shrink. If fat is placed, the buttocks will always remain larger in proportion to the rest of the body, even if the patient loses weight.
The surgery usually takes about two to three hours. After surgery, the patient usually recovers for about an hour or two and then returns home. Standard liposuction is used to harvest the fat cells from the areas that we decide to take it from. Usually Dr. Smith and the patient will decide together which areas will be liposuctioned to remove the fat. Only very tiny incisions (“poke holes”) are needed to harvest the fat and these are usually invisible after they heal. Most commonly we take fat from other areas as well. After the fat is removed, it is specifically prepared to get only “pure, healthy fat cells” which will then be placed in the buttocks through which he inserts the fat cells.
Initially, the patient will think that Dr. Smith has made their buttocks too large and he has placed more fat in the buttocks than was needed. However, about one half of the transplanted fat cells will not survive and the buttocks will slowly shrink in size for a couple months. Usually after about three months the buttocks will reach their final size. Because some of the fat cells die, it is important to make the buttocks too large at first, so that the final result is a beautiful, sexy change that is not too small or too large patient.
All surgeries have certain common risks such as pain, bruising, swelling, numbness, need for more procedures, infection, damage to surrounding structure, bleeding, scars and anesthetic risks. The disadvantages of a Brazilian lift over a Butt implant is that initially half the fat cells will die so it is necessary to overcorrect at first. Sometimes more will die than expected and a second procedure will be needed to make the buttocks large enough. If we have to do a second procedure, we charge only 30 % of the original price. Also, there is a risk that the buttocks could be lumpy or uneven. Another disadvantage is that the procedure could only be performed if there is enough fat to transfer. Sometimes in very thin patients, such as small Asian patients, they may no have fat to transfer.
The advantage over Butt implants is that the fat is your natural tissue. Once it has healed it does not have a greater risk of infection to any other area of skin and fat, and it will never need to be replaced or rupture (all risks of implants.)
Recovery after a Brazilian Butt lift is not that painful, but patients need avoiding sitting on the buttocks for at least one to two weeks after surgery so that the fat will not shift and to make sure that the largest amount of possible ill live. It is necessary for patients to sleep on their belly for two week after surgery. After about three weeks, patients may return to normal exercise.
In general, a Brazilian butt lift is one of the most popular procedures we perform with an extremely high satisfaction rate. Dr. Smith is an expert in this area of surgery and has many satisfied Brazilian Butt lift patients. In you considering this procedure; don’t hesitate to make a consultation appointment with Dr. Smith.