BBL After 10 Years

Patients with concerns about the fullness of their buttocks often look to a Brazilian butt lift surgery (BBL) to shape and increase the volume of the butt. The BBL removes pockets of stubborn fat from around the body, then transfers that fat across the gluteal muscles to enhance the size of the butt with natural-looking results.

In this article, we will discuss the effects of a Brazilian butt lift surgery in both the short and long term, giving you advice on how to maintain the results after your cosmetic surgery. We will also respond to some of the most common queries people have about a BBL procedure.

Contact the CREO Clinic today to book your initial consultation with our Medical Director and BBL expert, Dr. Omar Tillo, and discover the ways a Brazilian butt lift can enhance your butt.

How Long Does BBL Last?

A BBL is a permanent cosmetic procedure to increase the volume of the butt while toning areas where stubborn fat is in excess in areas like the hips or thighs. Following your cosmetic surgery, the fat cells will take some time to stabilise, after which they will remain in a fixed position in the butt. 

However, how long a BBL lasts can depend on behavioural factors – for instance, patients must maintain a healthy lifestyle and weight in order to maximise and maintain the results. If you lose weight after your Brazilian butt lift, the fat cells injected into the buttocks will shrink, reducing the volume of the butt overall. Similarly, if you gain weight, the fat cells will become enlarged, making the butt bigger. 

Do BBL Results Change?

After a BBL, the skin can feel taut as the buttocks adapt to the increased volume. In the first 6-8 weeks, the fat grafts enter a ‘fluffing’ stage, where the skin expands to accommodate the fat grafts, after which the butt will look rounder and feel more natural.   

In the following 3-6 months after this cosmetic surgery, the body will then go on to absorb 30-50% of the fat moved to the butt. As such, your surgeon will account for this, meaning the final result will only become apparent as the injected fat stabilises.

After this excess injected fat is absorbed, your BBL results should remain stable as long as you avoid any drastic changes to your weight. 

Factors That Impact BBL

There are several factors that can contribute to the maintenance of your results:

Plastic Surgeon’s Expertise

Firstly, it is important to fully research and vet your prospective surgeon prior to undergoing your cosmetic procedure. Ensure that your plastic surgeon has both the clinical knowledge and qualifications, including the necessary board certifications, to conduct a Brazilian butt lift safely and competently. 

At the CREO Clinic, our surgeon, Dr. Omar Tillo, pioneered the ‘Buttock Enhancement and Superficial Transfer of Fat’ (BEST-F) technique, where fat cells are injected above the gluteal muscles to maximise the safety of the cosmetic procedure by avoiding risks. Dr. Tillo is a key opinion leader in the field of BBL surgery – one who has pioneered safer, more effective treatments and recently wrote the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) BBL guidelines. These are the guidelines that all surgeons registered with the organisation are required to follow.

You should also ensure your selected surgeon has significant experience conducting Brazilian Butt Lifts, as this know-how is crucial in crafting the desired result with long-lasting effects.   

Patient Profile

The final results of a BBL are dependent on the body of the patient and how much fat can be taken via liposuction and transferred to the butt itself. This is not to say a patient with less fat is unable to undergo the operation. In fact, many patients with a lower BMI can have a ‘skinny BBL,’ where less fat is transferred, but results still remain impactful in relation to their body’s proportions. 

The amount of fat absorbed by your body will also depend on a patient’s biological profile, though a competent surgeon will be aware of this factor and will ensure enough excess fat is injected for the desired result. 

Healthy Lifestyle

Maintaining your weight through a healthy lifestyle of a balanced diet and regular exercise is key to long-lasting BBL results. Patients may, therefore, benefit from a dietician or personal trainer to regulate their weight after surgery and get the most out of their BBL. 

BBL Results Over Time

Week One

Immediately after your BBL, you can expect side effects such as swelling, soreness, and bruising in the butt, as well as in the liposuction areas. This will gradually dissipate as your body heals from your cosmetic surgery. In addition, your surgeon will provide you with detailed aftercare instructions as well as any necessary prescriptions for pain relief to make your recovery as comfortable as possible. You will also be given compression garments to wear to manage swelling and further contour the body. 

As your surgeon will have injected an excess amount of fat into the buttocks to account for the body absorbing this in the following months, your new butt may look much larger than expected at this stage. As your body begins to absorb the excess and the swelling dissipates, you will gradually notice your desired BBL result.

Month One

During the first month, the swelling will continue to dissipate. You must continue to wear the provided compression garment to maximise the results of your cosmetic surgery throughout the first 6 weeks. Within the first 6-8 weeks, the skin on your butt may also feel taut and uncomfortable as your body gradually adjusts and expands to accommodate the new fat grafts. This is known as the fluffing stage, after which the butt will look and feel more naturally curvy. 

Year One

Within the first 3-6 months after your BBL surgery, your body will naturally absorb 30-50% of the injected fat, meaning the butt will shrink in volume. However, your surgeon will have accounted for this in how much fat they will have added for the desired result. 

After six months, BBL patients are able to observe the full results of their cosmetic surgery as swelling subsides completely, revealing more voluminous buttocks and a more contoured figure.  

Year Ten

Ten years after your BBL surgery, you can expect to have the same desired butt from your cosmetic procedure. However, you should stick to a healthy weight and avoid any drastic changes to ensure your butt stays plump and perky and your body remains proportional. 

How to Maintain BBL Results

Many patients wish to know how to ensure they get the most out of their BBL procedure by maintaining their results. There are several ways to ensure the best, long-lasting effects:

Follow Post-Op Instructions

Immediately after your cosmetic surgery, your surgeon will provide you with thorough aftercare instructions to ensure you have the smoothest recovery and best results.

In general, you should wait 2-3 weeks before returning to work and conducting light, daily activities, and up to 6-8 weeks for more intensive exercise. This is to ensure that the wounds heal fully without complications. 

Eat a Healthy Diet

Eating a healthy diet is crucial in maintaining your weight and, therefore, your BBL results. Ensure that you eat a balanced array of foods, lots of fruits and vegetables, as well as suitable protein sources.

It is for this reason that we work alongside a team of qualified dieticians to ensure that our patients get the most out of their BBL results.

Wear the Right Clothes

After your cosmetic surgery, you will be provided with a compression garment to maximise the effects of your BBL and minimise post-surgical swelling. You must wear this for the first six weeks following your BBL procedure. On top of this, you may wish to wear loose clothing to maximise your comfort as you heal.

Exercise After 2 Months

After 6-8 weeks, you should be able to recommence your exercise regime. However, you should consult with your doctor about this to ensure your wounds are sufficiently healed. Along with a balanced diet, exercise is an important part of maintaining a healthy weight and your BBL results. 

Is BBL Worth It?

A BBL can provide a permanent means to reshape the butt, remedy hip dips, and achieve a highly desirable hourglass figure. Not only does a BBL add volume to the butt that cannot be achieved with diet and exercise alone, but it also tones areas where there is stubborn, excess fat. In tandem, this produces an enhanced figure that many patients believe to be worthwhile.

Schedule a Consultation with CREO Clinic

If you are considering a BBL, it is important to find the right surgeon. Our double-board certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Tillo, has pioneered the safest practice for BBL procedures in the UK and has a significant amount of experience conducting this cosmetic surgery. Contact us today to book a consultation and start your journey towards your dream body. 

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