The Brazilian butt lift, popularly known as BBL, has become a highly sought-after cosmetic surgery in the last few years. It is a specialized fat transfer procedure that augments the size and shape of the buttocks without the need for implants. Although, the shape and proportion of the buttocks are important factors in an attractive, well-proportioned body it is very important to know if the benefits outweigh the risks. This procedure though it is safer than some, still has its perks and snags.
Procedure
Depending on the amount of fat you want transferred, you will either be put on general anesthesia which helps you to fall asleep without any awareness of your surroundings (usually done for large fat transfer), or local anesthesia, which keeps you awake but makes you numb in the area of your body undergoing restructuring. Basically, after sedation, a suction device is attached to a small, stainless steel instrument called a cannula. This cannula is inserted into the fatty areas or better still donor areas between your skin and muscle and excess fat around those areas are removed. The harvested fats are then processed and purified before being injected into the buttock to achieve the desired shape and contour. The upper region of your butt receives most of the fat, and the middle region receives less.
Requirements
Anybody can undergo a BBL surgery but a perfect candidate should possess the following.
- Have enough fat in your hips and other areas for grafting
- Have a good skin tone in the hips and buttocks
- Be a nonsmoker
- Have a healthy weight
- Should not be a victim of any recent infection or complication related to surgery
Side Effects And Risks
Even though pain is typically minimal and easily controlled through pain medication, anybody wanting a BBL should also be willing to avoid sitting directly on the buttocks for several weeks. You will need to stand and not sit and also sleep on your stomach and sides. Though you will fully recover after 2 to 3 months depending on your genetic makeup, there are still some side effects associated; Some mild, some, very serious. These include:
1. Infections
Though not common, several bacterial infections like MRSA and pseudomonas are horrible attachments that come with a not-so-careful BBL procedure.
2. Scarring
Large and obvious scars are always associated with this procedure; Most times if properly taken care of these scars eventually wear off.
3. Pain and Swelling
This is a mild effect that follows the surgery but can be cautioned by pain medications. Patients are usually not able to move around immediately after the surgery and a compression garment is always worn to provide support and compression to the treated area, which can help to reduce swelling and promote healing.
4. Incisions may bleed slightly
After a BBL procedure, surgical incisions may bleed slightly, it takes approximately 2 weeks to heal and be considered closed. However, the overall length of time for the wound to heal and the scar to fade off is about 9-12 months.
5. Fat Embolism or Death
This is one of the very serious complications of Brazilian butt lift surgery. Your butt contains many blood vessels and nerves, if the surgeon is not careful enough and the cannula strikes any of these structures during the surgery, it can lead to injury, in worse cases a fat embolism, which disrupts the blood supply. This embolism is caused when fat globules are released into the bloodstream, which eventually leads to a blockage in the lungs which in no time leads to death.
6. Skin Discoloration and Fat Necrosis
This is a well-known complication of the fat transfer procedure, it occurs when an area doesn’t have the correct blood supply and then dies off, leading to skin discoloration, most times the skin turns black.
This celebrity procedure is done to enhance buttock shape and size; It’s also used to correct congenital or age-related buttock asymmetry, but most importantly ladies go through this stress for self-confidence. As rampant as it is, it is very essential to not be pressurized and have realistic expectations, you should endeavor to understand the limitations of the procedure and be aware that the effects are only semi-permanent.
