May 25, 2023A Brazilian butt lift, also known as a BBL, is one of the most popular procedures requested by our patients. Our body sculpting surgeons have a wealth of experience in the BBL procedure and over the years have devised the perfect recovery plan for our clients. We will walk you through the perfect BBL recovery so you achieve the most optimal results.
The Acute Medical Phase
There are two phases to the ideal BBL recovery. The acute medical phase covers the first few days following your BBL procedure and is focused on your safety. We suggest three guidelines for our clients.
- Walk at Least Five Minutes Every Hour
Walking is essential because, as with any surgical procedure, you will be sore after your BBL, which means you will want to lie down. Reclining for too long can cause blood to pool in your legs, which may lead to blood clots. Blood clots can be incredibly dangerous if they travel to your heart or lungs. To help avoid this, in addition to walking, we will prescribe a blood thinner for you to take in the period just following your procedure.
- Maximize Your Breathing With an Incentive Spirometer
The most common challenge following aggressive liposuction in the central abdominal area is that patients are sore in their core, leading them to take shallow breaths. Taking shallow breaths can cause the alveoli—the tiny air sacs in your lungs—to collapse, potentially causing pneumonia. To avoid this, we encourage you to use an incentive spirometer, a simple device that promotes deeper, fuller breathing, exercising your lungs.
- Replenish Your Fluids
Another challenge around liposuction and the subsequent fat transfer in a BBL is the significant amount of swelling that occurs. Since areas targeted for liposuction draw fluid away from other parts of your body, we may ask you to drink Gatorade Zero or another electrolyte-rich liquid to help replenish your fluids.
The Aesthetic Phase
The aesthetic phase focuses on achieving the perfect aesthetic result following your BBL procedure. This phase has two major aspects: compression and protection.
- Compression
You should compress the areas we have treated with liposuction. In the case of a Brazilian butt lift, we must squeeze the fluid out of the treated area so you can have a tiny waist that matches your curves. We do this by making our patients wear special compressive garments. First, you will wear a special compressive foam that shapes your waist and buttocks. Then, you will put on a compression suit that squeezes the fluid back to where it needs to go, helping smooth out your body and giving you that beautiful, natural contour.
- Protection
Finally, we must protect the area that we have transferred the fat to. If we apply too much pressure to the fat we have transferred too soon, it squeezes the veins. When that happens, there is not enough blood flow for the fat transfer to be successful. For the first 10 days, you should not sit, except on the toilet; to make this easier, we will give you a special BBL pillow that allows you to elevate your glutes. By using this pillow for a few weeks, you can protect your glutes from too much pressure.
Your Beautiful Results
When you closely follow this recovery plan, you will be able to enjoy the beautiful results of your BBL for many years. The North Texas Plastic Surgery team has performed countless BBL procedures. Our virtual consultations—including a state-of-the-art 3D digital imaging system that allows you to visualize your new look prior to surgery—can cater to people anywhere in the world. Schedule a consultation at any one of our office locations and learn how you can maximize your BBL recovery.
