The Brazilian butt lift (BBL), a body contouring procedure that lifts your buttocks by injecting fat extracted from another region of your body, is more popular than ever. Because it both extracts fat from problem regions and adds it to the buttocks, the BBL produces a dramatic and curvy figure. Many women, including celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Nicki Minaj, have attested to the success and popularity of the procedure.
The BBL is an involved surgery, and you should make sure that an experienced surgeon is the one who will be working on you. Furthermore, the BBL can be a transformational change, and women are often concerned about the recovery from the procedure. Below we'll discuss what recovery entails and how you can ease out of surgery into a new stage of your life.
BBL Recovery Timeline and Healing stages
Overall, the core amount of time for recovery will be about 3 to 4 weeks. During this time, as we'll explain below, it is imperative that you wear a compression garment. The garment is designed to ensure that your skin retracts, to reduce swelling, and make your recovery more comfortable. Furthermore, most women should rest for 2 to 3 weeks before returning to work.
The first week after BBL
The first three days of your recovery are likely the most uncomfortable, perhaps more so than the actual day of surgery. You are likely to experience bruising in the areas from which the fat cells were extracted, as is typical in any liposuction procedure. Nevertheless, your surgeon will prescribe you pain medication which can help you manage pain symptoms considerably. You are also likely to see some fluid drain out of the incision sites. This is normal as it is the body's way of clearing out the tumescent substance used during the procedure that remains in the body. The drains will be removed a few days after your surgery.
Since the surgery will be performed while you are under general anesthesia, you are likely to walk out of the clinic still under the effects of the anesthetic. Someone should come to pick you up and drive you home. Last, many patients experience constipation. You can manage this by moving around.
2-4 weeks post-op BBL
The following two to three weeks are crucial because the newly grafted fat cells are begin their acclimatization process. Pain and uncomfortable symptoms should significantly decrease. These weeks should be devoted to taking care of the injection sites. Surgeons recommend avoiding sitting directly on your buttocks since this will inhibit blood circulation, which is necessary for the fat cells to stay in your buttocks. If you have to sit, you are recommended to use a donut seat, which can diminish pressure on the buttocks. You should nevertheless remember that the initial volume you see after your procedure will most certainly not be the final result. Up to 40% of transferred fat is lost for natural reasons, so it's likely that the surgeon has injected extra fat in order to offset this expected loss.
During the first two and three weeks, you are still encouraged to wear your compression garment. As mentioned above, not only will it make your recovery more comfortable, it will also diminish bruising and swelling, leading to fewer complications.
You should avoid sitting down as much as you can and lie on your stomach or side when sleeping. Sit when going to the restroom only and, if at all possible, try to use a cushion that will put pressure on your legs rather than your buttocks.
3-6 weeks post-op BBL
By now, you should be able to increase your mobility and gradually reduce the amount of time you wear your compression garment. (Here, you should take care to follow your surgeon's instructions and recommendations!) You will also be cleared to go back to more routine activities like light walking, though you should be wary of fat-burning exercises until the fat cells have stabilized in your buttocks.
The last stages of your healing will demand that you maintain a similar level of care regarding sitting and sleeping, but you will notice as the weeks pass that your discomfort, if any, will lightly subside, and your own body will tell you when everything is fine.
Tummy tuck and BBL together recovery
Here at Avana, our surgeons combine Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) and Butt Lift with fat transfer in the same surgical session creating fantastic curves. While these procedures can be done together, it's important to note that the recovery process can be more challenging compared to each procedure performed individually. Both surgeries involve significant changes to different areas of the body, and you'll need to follow specific post-op instructions to have a smooth recovery. Although there are many good reasons for having both surgeries on the same day, combining procedures may increase the overall surgical time, which can impact the stress on your body. Your surgeon will monitor you closely during the surgery to minimize risks.
Always, always consult your BBL surgeon in Miami at Avana Plastic Surgery and raise any questions you may have at your post-op consultations and massages.
