Brazilian Butt Lift Surgery (BBL)

By using state of the art fat grafting techniques it is possible to enhance the size and shape of the buttocks, without the unnatural appearance of implants. As well as reducing the risk of complications, using the body’s own fat also means your body will adjust naturally including if you gain or lose weight. This maintains natural results in the long term.

If you are concerned about the shape of your buttocks or natural sagging that can occur with age, weight loss or childbirth, a Brazilian Butt Lift restores the youthful volume and lifted appearance.

Through liposuction and fat transfer, BBL procedures address the shape and proportions of the body, resulting in a more hourglass physique. Many patients with a slender frame, opt for a Brazilian Butt Lift to adjust their proportions and create a more defined waist as well as adding volume to their buttocks.

Patients who have undergone BBL surgeries find that they are more comfortable in their bodies and their overall appearance. They are often happier with how their clothes fit and report a higher quality of life.

BBL augmentation not only enhances the firmness and tone of the buttocks but can also have a positive impact on the appearance of cellulite, making it significantly less noticeable.

In addition to enhancing buttock size, shape, and volume, Brazilian Butt Lift surgery can also address other areas of the body. To transfer fat to the buttocks, excess or unwanted fat cells are harvested from various body areas like the hips, love handles, thighs, or abdomen. Consequently, a BBL procedure not only enhances buttock appearance but also sculpts other body areas, transforming your overall figure.

During the consultation, your surgeon will discuss with you the amount of fat that can be extracted and the best areas to take it from. Typically for a BBL procedure, this is around the abdomen, flanks and thighs as this enhances the desirable hourglass shape many patients are looking for from this surgery.

Liposuction works by gently breaking up the fat cells under your skin using physical vibration or high pressure water jets. The fat is then extracted through a cannula inserted into a small incision using a vacuum. The liposuction alone takes away fat from stubborn areas and creates a sculpted appearance in the areas performed. The surgeon will typically extract up to twice the amount of fat needed for the results the patient desires.

Before the fat is injected back into the body, it is processed to ensure it is pure and ready for your body to accept. This is done by using a piece of equipment called a centrifuge, which separates the fat from any unwanted elements such as oil, blood, and excess fluids. Your surgeon will decide how much fat to process, depending on the amount needed to be injected for the results you are looking for. The fat is extracted, prepared, and injected as part of the same procedure.

A specific cannula designed for BBL procedures is used to inject the processed fat into the buttocks. The fat will be injected into the layer beneath your skin and above the muscle. To prioritise patient safety, our surgeons use ultrasound technology during the injection process to make sure fat isn’t injected into the muscle layer, which can lead to serious complications. Once the fat has been injected, the surgeon will sculpt the area to give the desired shape. During the consultation, the surgeon will explain that during fat transfer processes, it is normal for 20-40% of the fat that has been injected to be safely and naturally absorbed back into the body. Patients can decide to have further procedures in the future, to increase the volume of their buttocks further.  

If you are considering a BBL with Cadogan Clinic, we invite you to our Chelsea-based clinic for a private one-to-one consultation. Please allow 30-60 minutes for this consultation whilst we discuss the results you'd like to achieve. This will allow your surgeon to explain the surgery, the best approach for you, and what results you could realistically expect from your BBL.

We would recommend preparing any questions in advance and writing these down or storing them on your mobile device before your consultation. This ensures you can find all the answers you need and receive clarification on any concerns or worries you may have. Your surgeon will also ask you questions to understand a little bit more about your medical history and lifestyle to ensure this is the right fit for you.

Your surgeon will perform a general health and wellness check, including mental wellbeing checks, take your measurements, and take 'before' photos.

We will then send your intended plan through to your dedicated patient advisor who will be your personal liaison throughout the process. If you are suitable for a Brazilian butt lift, your advisor will explain the plan, pricing, finance options, and offer available surgery dates. You will then be given a mandatory 2-week cooling off period to allow you to consider whether you wish to proceed with the surgery.

If, after the cooling off period, you wish to go ahead with your BBL, your next visit to the clinic will be on the day of your procedure. In the run up to your surgery, you will be asked to make the following changes and preparations, such as:

• You must complete all pre-operative paperwork to allow your surgeon, anaesthetist, and nurses to review your suitability for the surgery, which includes reviewing your medical and psychological information. This will then allow your team to make more personalised advise on changes to make before your surgery.
• You will be asked to stop smoking and/or vaping for 6 weeks before your Brazilian butt lift surgery, and for a little while after. This ensures your body is able to recover properly and promptly.
• You will also be asked to cut down on or cut out drinking alcohol. Excessive alcohol consumption can also slow your recovery and healing.
• Avoid taking any anti-inflammatory medications for 7 days before your BBL surgery. This includes aspirin, ibuprofen, and herbal supplements, as these can increase the risk of bleeding and therefore hinder recovery.
• You will need to organise your own chaperone to collect you after your BBL surgery to ensure you get home safely. This should be a family member, significant other, or trusted friend who can either drive you home or accompany you in a taxi and stay overnight with you.
• In the 6 hours before you arrive at Cadogan Clinic for your procedure, it is imperative you don't eat any sold food or consume any juice or milk (including in tea or coffee). You can have sips of clear drinks (water, black coffee, or black tea) up to 2 hours before you arrive, after which you must be nil by mouth.

On the day of your Brazilian butt lift, we ask that you arrive at the clinic an hour before your surgery time. You are then encouraged to ask final questions to your surgeon, anaesthetist and nurses before we begin preparing you for surgery and making any markings we may need to.

Atfer this, you will be taken into theatre and administered the general anaesthetic. Every procedure performed under general anaesthetic at Cadogan Clinic uses TIVA (Total Intravenous Anaesthesia) because this minimises post-operative sickness and nausea, allowing for faster initial recovery when you come round post-surgery.

Your surgeon will then begin your BBL surgery, which will typically take between 3-4 hours. After the procedure, you will be taken to our recovery ward, where you will wake up from the anaesthetic and a nurse will monitor your vital health signs. Once you are awake and comfortable, you will be transferred into the care of our ambulatory ward where you will have something to eat and drink and a nurse will talk you through any medications you need to take once you are discharged. When you are ready and comfortable with your aftercare guidance, we will ask your chaperone to come and collect you to continue your recovery journey at home.

The first few days following surgery may be uncomfortable as you may experience some pain around your buttocks and the areas of fat extraction. This could include swelling and bruising, which is normal to experience. Any pain management medications will have been prescribed by your surgical team so you can safely control this at home. It is also recommended you avoid sitting on or lying down on your backside without the proper support. Sleeping on your side or your stomach is advisable for the first two weeks. It is also important you wear your post-operative garment to assist with healing and to allow your results to settle naturally.

One week after your surgery you will have an in person appointment with our nurses so they can assess your incisions, extraction, and injection areas and make sure you are healing well. They will provide any advice you need on dressings and will be able to answer any questions you may have about your BBL recovery.

Six weeks after your procedure you will meet with your surgeon so they can check your healing, discuss your results and answer any questions about your ongoing recovery from that point. After six weeks your treatment plan will conclude, though if you have any questions or concerns you will still be able to contact the team and speak with one of our specialist nurses.