Until recently, people who wanted to improve the size and shape of their buttocks had to do so using implants. Now, the Brazilian butt lift has changed all that. Surgeons use this procedure to remove fat from one part of the body and then strategically inject it into the patient’s buttocks to improve the proportions of the entire lower body.
How Brazilian Butt Lifts Work
Brazilian butt lifts offer long lasting results without the risks associated with implants. Surgeons performing this increasingly popular procedure follow three steps:
- Remove fat from a patient’s thighs, abdomen, lower back, hips, or other problem areas via liposuction.
- Purify the extracted fat and prepare it for transfer.
- Inject the purified fat into the specific points on the patient’s buttocks that need increased volume and improved shape.
This simple surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure either with intravenous sedation and local anesthesia or general anesthesia. Patients can return home almost immediately afterward.
Benefits of a Brazilian Butt Lift
People’s body proportions are largely determined by genetics, and that includes their buttocks. While there’s little to be done about inherited skeletal structure, there are ways to enhance the appearance of the lower body for those who have buttocks that lack shape due to storing fat in undesirable places. A Brazilian butt lift can alter the shape of not just the buttocks but also the surrounding areas. The benefits of undergoing this cosmetic procedure include:
- Enhanced curves
- Reduced fat on hips, thighs, or belly
- Added fullness of the buttocks
- Better, more attractive fit for clothing
- More youthful, aesthetic shape
- Enhanced balance between upper and lower body
The procedure also offers benefits over surgical alternatives such as butt implants. Brazilian butt lifts have a lower rate of complications and achieve more natural-looking and feeling results. The only exception is people who are so lean they don’t have sufficient fat to harvest, in which case implants may be the only viable option.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
Patients preparing to have Brazilian butt lifts should have realistic expectations about the surgery’s results. Not everyone is an ideal candidate, so they aren’t always as impressive as people want. The cosmetic surgeon will discuss all of the details with the patient before moving forward and scheduling a date for the procedure. In general, though, people who are good candidates for Brazilian butt lifts have a few things in common. They:
- Have a good skin tone in both the buttocks and hips.
- Have adequate fat stores in at least one other area to harvest for injection.
- Are willing to avoid sitting down directly on their buttocks for multiple weeks.
- Want augmentation without implants.
People should also note that the term “butt lift” is a bit of a misnomer. This procedure does not address loose or excess skin. Getting rid of bothersome sagging skin on the buttocks requires a different procedure known as a thigh and buttock lift surgery or lower body lift.
How to Find the Right Surgeon
Brazilian butt lifts are complex procedures. The surgeons who perform them need to have a well-developed eye for detail and extensive experience with fat transfer. Not all practicing cosmetic surgeons receive specialized training in this area during their residencies, so be sure to ask about their experience during the initial consultation and to have a look at before and after photos. Good plastic surgeons are also certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.