Are you looking for a way to naturally redefine the volume of your buttocks? If so, a Brazilian butt lift (BBL) may be an excellent choice for you. At Kadz Plastic Surgery in Beverly Hills, CA, we specialize in performing butt lift procedures, and our team can help you get the shapely silhouette you’ve been dreaming of! But how long can you expect the effects of your procedure to last?
How Long Does a BBL Last?
A Brazilian butt lift procedure involves taking excess fat from other areas of the body and injecting it into the buttocks. The process typically begins with liposuction on areas of the body where there is excess fat, such as the thighs and abdomen. The harvested fat cells are then purified and processed before they are injected into specific locations in the buttock area. There are several factors that affect how long your results will last.
First, it’s crucial to understand that fat cells are not static; they can change in size over time. So, if you gain weight after your BBL surgery, the fat cells that were injected into your buttocks may increase in size. On the other hand, if you lose weight, those same fat cells may shrink. Therefore, if you want to maintain the results of your butt lift procedure, it’s crucial to maintain a good body-to-weight ratio.
5 Helpful Tips for Maintaining Your BBL Results
1. Avoid Wearing Restrictive Clothing During the Recovery Period
Your recovery period is of the utmost importance because it is during this period that your body works through the healing process. Wearing tight clothing can put extra stress on the buttocks and interrupt proper blood flow and lymphatic drainage, potentially leading to a poor outcome.
Generally, you should expect the recovery period to last around four weeks. This is when it’s crucial to wear loose, comfortable clothing made from natural materials like cotton. These types of clothing leave plenty of space for movement around the buttocks and will significantly help in facilitating the healing process.
2. Avoid Applying Direct Pressure to the Transferred Fat Cells
Grafted fat cells need time to grow their own blood supply. Just like any other living tissue, fat cells require a network of nerves for communication with the brain and a regular supply of blood for nourishment. Applying direct pressure on these fats can potentially hinder them from successfully integrating into your body.
Examples of direct pressure can be rubbing or massaging around the treated area, applying pressure while sleeping, or even applying heat or cold therapy near the treated area. For those who are active and work out often, we would recommend doing light activity for two to three weeks following surgery to help maintain your butt lift results.
3. Avoid Smoking
Smoking is an important factor to take into account for anyone considering a Brazilian butt lift procedure. Cigarettes contain a long list of harmful substances like carbon monoxide, nicotine, benzene, and even formaldehyde. Nicotine, among these chemicals, affects cardiovascular health by raising blood pressure and increasing strain on your heart.
Furthermore, nicotine causes vasoconstriction of the blood vessels, which restricts the revascularization of grafted fat. This means that it will be harder for the transplanted fat to form its own blood supply, causing some of the fat cells to eventually die. Ideally, keeping your blood pressure within a healthy range (less than 120/80 mm Hg) before and after the procedure will help achieve the best results with the fat grafting process.
4. Maintain a Stable Weight
As we mentioned before, fat cells have the capacity to expand or shrink, which means that if you start to fluctuate your weight after a BBL, it can distort the results of your procedure. Therefore, if you want to maintain your desired results, it’s crucial to ensure that you keep up a stable weight.
5. Eat a Well-Balanced Diet
Eating a well-balanced diet after your BBL is a crucial part of the recovery process, as this helps your body heal faster and allows you to enjoy your new figure sooner. Eating a balanced diet will also help you maintain a healthy body-to-weight ratio, which is key for keeping the results achieved through your Brazilian butt lift treatment. Here are some of the food groups you should include in your diet:
Proteins
Proteins are responsible for muscle build and repair, hormone synthesis, and even serve as an energy source. All of these are especially important for people who have recently gone through surgery. Eating a balanced diet that includes proteins will help provide the building blocks for tissue regeneration, quicker wound healing, improved immunity, increased red blood cells production, and an increased rate of physical recovery.
Vitamins
Some vitamins act as antioxidants, scavenging free radicals which are responsible for inhibiting tissue repair. Additionally, vitamins govern various biochemical activities required for proper immune system functioning and, therefore, can assist in avoiding illnesses during recovery. Healing processes also require the activity of various enzymes that must be activated by vitamins.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are the body’s main source of energy, and play a vital role in metabolism for cell functioning, cognition, and physical performance. When you’re recovering from surgery, your body needs extra energy to help repair itself, maintain organ function, and fight infection. Furthermore, consuming more carbs during the postoperative period can increase the concentration of growth hormone and C-peptide, both of which have anti-inflammatory properties.
Minerals
Our bodies require certain minerals to ensure optimal healing, such as iron, zinc, copper, and magnesium. Iron helps to create healthy red blood cells responsible for transporting oxygen throughout the body, while zinc helps speed up wound healing and maintains cell growth. Copper assists with collagen development and tissue repair.
Additionally, magnesium ensures the nervous system functions normally by stabilizing nerve transmissions and muscle contractions. A mineral-rich diet provides our bodies with the necessary building blocks needed for an expedited recovery post-surgery.
Water
Water helps to flush out toxins and waste materials, regulate body temperature, and transport valuable nutrients throughout the body. When recovering from surgery, it’s especially important to ensure you get enough fluids as dehydration can slow wound healing and increase the risk of infection. Drinking lots of water also supports regular digestion, allowing for better absorption of vitamins and minerals that are essential for optimal healing.
Consultation
Attending a butt lift consultation is the first step to achieving your body goals. During this appointment, Dr. Bruce Kadz will assess your health and medical history, as well as any medicine you might be currently taking. Additionally, we’ll answer any questions that you may have regarding the procedure, explaining to you the specifics of how it is done.
Dr. Kadz will also show you before and after photos of similar operations that he has carried out over the years. Finally, if you’re ready to move forward with the treatment, we’ll schedule an appointment for the operation and provide instructions on how to prepare for a successful butt lift surgery. These instructions typically include guidelines such as avoiding certain kinds of medications, quitting smoking, and following a healthy diet.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Brazilian Butt Lift?
If you’re eager to redefine the contours and volume of your posterior region, you may be an ideal candidate for a Brazilian butt lift. A good prospect should also have healthy blood pressure levels and other markers of good health. Note that if you don’t have enough fat to transfer, and are seeking dramatic changes, then augmentation with implants might be the best option for you.
Can Your Body Reject a Brazilian Butt Lift?
The answer is no. This procedure uses your own fat, which is harvested from areas such as your abdomen and thighs, and then injected into your buttocks. The fat cells must be properly prepared before re-injection or they may not survive. However, as long as the healthcare provider uses best practices when performing the procedure, there should not be any issues with a person’s body rejecting their own fat.
Get the Ideal Shape You’ve Always Wanted Today!
At Kadz Plastic Surgery, we have an unsurpassed level of experience and knowledge when it comes to the Brazilian butt lift. Our board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Bruce Kadz, has years of skill, expertise, and talent that make him the ideal choice for people looking to achieve their desired figure. We won’t just help with your procedure; we will give you the education and advice to maintain a proper lifestyle that enhances your positive results. Call us at Kadz Plastic Surgery in Beverly Hills, CA, today to schedule your consultation.
