If you have always dreamed of having a curvier and more shapely backside, you have probably looked into a cosmetic surgery known as the Brazilian butt lift (BBL). There is no denying the allure of a BBL, especially when you can find six billion examples under the #BBL on TikTok!
Before deciding on a Brazilian butt lift or any other cosmetic procedure, it is critical to understand what to expect at each stage of the procedure so that you are prepared. You need to understand the preparation involved before undergoing BBL surgery, what happens during the surgery, what results to expect, what to expect during recovery, including complications to watch for, and the cost of a Brazilian butt lift.
Having a good understanding of what to expect will make your Brazilian butt lift surgery experience, recovery, and beyond go much more smoothly than being ill-prepared.
Today’s blog post will provide an overview of Brazilian butt lift surgery and what to expect throughout the process. We will also discuss the cost of a BBL and hopefully answer some of the questions you might have.
How Much Does A Brazilian Butt Lift Cost?
The BBL price you can expect to pay can vary due to several factors. Believe it or not, some of the cost of a Brazilian butt lift is determined by your geographic location. Areas, where the cost of living is higher, tend to have higher surgical costs as well. See the chart below to see some examples of the price range differences between different regions and the national average base cost of a Brazilian butt lift.
| Location | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Miami, FL | $2,500-10,000 |
| Atlanta, GA | $6,500-10,000 |
| NYC, NY | $8,000-10,000 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $14,000 -24,000 |
| National Average BBL Price | $6,500* |
*Base price, not including applicable fees.
There are many variables that can influence the price of a BBL in addition to the surgeon’s location. These variables include:
- Qualifications and experience of your surgeon: A board-certified plastic surgeon with many years of expertise may charge more than an inexperienced or uncertified physician;
- Fees for the hospital operating room or surgical facility fee (fees for hospital facilities often are more expensive);
- Fees related to anesthesia (the medicine and the anesthesiologist);
- The technique used for liposuction and the number of sites where fat will be extracted.
Following is the American Society of Plastic Surgeons 2020 report for mommy makeover-related surgical services:
| Mommy Makeover Related Surgeries | National Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Tummy Tuck | $6,154 |
| Liposuction | $3,637 |
| Brazilian Butt Lift | $5,482 |
| Breast Implants | $4,516 |
| Breast Reduction | $5,913 |
Other Costs Of A BBL
In addition to the cost of a Brazilian butt lift you should be prepared for extra expenses such as:
- Prescription medications;
- A Brazilian butt lift pillow or other special devices that help alleviate pressure on fat grafts while you recover;
- Lymphatic massage (if desired or recommended);
- Travel expenses if the surgery is not local to you;
- Follow-up care (if not included in the cost of surgery).
It may also surprise you to know that if you experience complications after your BBL, your health insurance will probably not cover the expenses. Since a Brazilian butt lift is considered a cosmetic elective surgery and not medically necessary, health insurance plans will not cover the procedure, and any issues that result from the surgery will be considered ineligible for coverage as well.
You may be eligible to purchase a supplemental insurance policy that covers expenses due to complications resulting from elective surgeries. Your cosmetic surgeon may be able to help you locate and select the right coverage.
Another interesting fact is that BBL surgery costs are not considered a qualified medical expense, and most health savings accounts (HSA or FSA) cannot be used to help offset costs.
Some providers require payment in full before they will perform the procedure, but most cosmetic surgeons offer financing plans through medical credit companies such as Care Credit.
What Results Should You Expect From A Brazilian butt lift?
It is possible to improve the proportions of your lower body with a cosmetic procedure known as a BBL. A Brazilian butt lift enhances the shape, size, and contour of the buttocks while eliminating fat from other parts of the body.
It is a bit misleading to refer to this surgical procedure as a “Brazilian butt lift,” as the treatment does not lift the buttocks at all but rather enhances the shape, size, and contour by incorporating your own body fat. The cosmetic surgeon may refer to this procedure as gluteal augmentation with fat grafting or gluteal fat grafting.
It is important to know that a buttock augmentation with a BBL is not the same as buttock implants, which require the insertion of silicone implants. While sometimes done to complement a BBL, a buttock lift is also a different procedure. A buttock lift is a surgical technique that removes extra fat and excess skin from the buttocks but does not add any volume.
How Popular Is BBL Surgery?
According to data compiled by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), Brazilian butt lift surgery is becoming one of the most sought-after cosmetic procedures. There were around 28,000 BBL treatments carried out in 2019, and despite the widespread presence of COVID-19 in 2020, around 22,000 BBL surgeries were done that year.
Interestingly, an increasing number of men are realizing that cosmetic surgery may give them the body they desire and they are requesting Brazilian butt lifts. The ASPS data indicated that in the year 2020, there were 331 men in the United States who had BBL surgery.
How Is A Brazilian Butt Lift Done?
A BBL is normally performed under general anesthesia and may be done in an outpatient facility, an office-based surgery suite, or in a hospital operating room. A Brazilian butt lift typically requires between two and four hours to complete.
- 1. Fat Removal With Liposuction
- Fat is removed from locations that you and your surgeon have previously identified using a procedure called liposuction. Most often, the fat is obtained from the abdomen, back, thighs, and waist.
To begin the liposuction procedure, a special fluid is injected under the skin to numb the areas and help with the fat removal process.
Next, a thin, tube-like instrument called a cannula is introduced under the skin through tiny incisions and is used to suction away the unwanted fat cells.
- 2. Fat Purification
- After the fat is removed, it undergoes a purification procedure in preparation for injection into the buttocks.
- 3. Fat Grafting Injections
- After being purified, the fat is strategically injected into the buttocks in the areas targeted by the cosmetic surgeon to achieve the desired results.
- 4. Short Observation Period
- When the procedure is complete, you will spend some time in the recovery room and then be discharged to go home to recover.
What Is Recovery From A BBL Like?
Recovery from a Brazilian butt lift takes about six weeks, but the first few weeks will be the most challenging. You will experience some pain and discomfort, and your surgeon will prescribe some pain medication that will help.
More than likely, you will have fluid drainage from the liposuction incisions that needs to be properly cared for. You may experience bruising, swelling, and numbness, which will all subside in time.
You will need to wear specific compression garments for several weeks following your BBl to mitigate swelling and bruising and to stabilize the fat grafts.
When body fat is moved from one location to another, it is disconnected from its former blood supply and requires time to establish a new blood supply connection. During the interim period, it is extremely important that the fat is not put under any serious pressure, or it will not survive. This means you cannot sit or lie down on your buttocks, so it can get tricky!
To recover properly, your body needs the most rest it can get, so keeping your schedule low-key for several weeks needs to take priority. It will also be challenging to sleep for several days, especially if you are a back sleeper because you cannot put any pressure on your newly relocated fat cells. Your surgeon can provide you with strategies on how to navigate your recovery.
Closely following the aftercare instructions provided by your surgeon will help your recovery be as worry-free as possible. It can take up to 6 months before you see the final results of your BBL.
Next Steps
If you are contemplating a Brazilian butt lift, do your research and sit down for a consultation with a qualified, experienced, board-certified cosmetic surgeon. Discuss the entire procedure from start to finish and make sure you understand what your financial responsibility will be, including everything.
Get answers to your questions and talk about your medical history openly to identify any areas of potential risk. Your goals and those of the cosmetic surgeon align: to undergo the procedure safely with no complications and to be happy with the results.
Dr. Angelina Posteov of Surgicare Arts & Aesthetics is a triple-board-certified cosmetic surgeon and an expert in her field. Contact us today to set up an online consultation or in-person appointment at one of our convenient locations in Georgia (Buckhead, Loganville, Duluth, and the surrounding areas of Atlanta) or Florida (Hudson or Tampa). We look forward to talking with you soon about how we can make your aesthetic goals a reality!
