Brazilian butt lift surgery is becoming increasingly popular worldwide. This procedure is famous for enhancing your buttocks in a natural-looking way, great for anyone who wants to add some curves to their figure or balance their body proportions.
This surgery is common and many women opt to have it, but before you decide on a Brazilian butt lift it’s important to understand the recovery process. Healing well is an essential element of the final result, so make sure you can take time out of your daily life to have this procedure.
If you want to explore the BBL recovery timeline as well as helpful tips and tricks, keep on reading!
Table of Contents
What is a Brazilian Butt Lift?
Before we jump into the healing process for a Brazilian butt lift, we’ll quickly recap what’s involved in the popular cosmetic surgery.
When a patient undergoes a Brazilian butt lift procedure, excess fat from the abdomen, thighs, or flanks is removed and injected into your buttocks to make them appear fuller and shapely. This process is different from traditional silicone butt implants, as it uses your own fat stores and gives you a more natural look.
A BBL can leave you with:
- A more proportional figure look.
- Reduced-fat in other areas of your body.
- A rounder and more voluminous buttock.
- Natural-looking results.
- Minimal surgical incisions.
The Recovery Timeline
When you’re researching any surgical procedure, it’s important to research the recovery process as well as what happens in the surgery. Some procedures will need you to take more time out than others, so make sure you’re prepared to take time off work or college to rest while your body heals.
First few days
The first few days after surgery you’ll experience swelling, soreness, and bruising too. You may experience some slight pain too, so make sure you tell your medical providers how you feel so you can get appropriate pain medication.
As the first few days will need intense rest, it’s always recommended that you ask a family member or friend to help take care of you while you recover. This includes cooking, cleaning, and childcare if needed. It’s advised that you rest when you initially get home, but short walks at slow paces are advised to keep blood flowing.
At this stage in the healing process, you mustn’t put any direct weight or pressure on your buttocks. You should sleep on your stomach or your size and you can use an inflatable ‘booty’ pillow for sitting down. When sitting, make sure any pressure is on your thighs so the grafted fat isn’t impacted.
Your surgeon will give you a personalized recovery plan for the rehabilitation process. This will be tailored to your body and your needs to ensure you get your desired results from the surgery.
Week One
In the first week of recovery, you’ll need to wear a compression garment. This minimizes swelling in the areas that received liposuction and it can also minimize swelling or fluid retention. Compression garments also make healing more comfortable and help your skin retract too. If you have a ‘booty’ pillow, keep using it for sitting to take any pressure off of your buttocks.
Sometimes patients will have follow-up appointments in the first week so the surgeon can assess the initial healing process. It’s also recommended that you start lymphatic massages at this point as these can treat scar tissue and help to heal.
Week Two
When you hit the two-week mark you should notice a decrease in pain or tenderness. There may be some slight swelling still, but this is normal and will subside over time. You should still avoid sitting directly on your buttocks unless you’re using a ‘booty pillow’. When you hit the two/three-week point you can consult your healthcare provider to see if you are healed enough to start driving again. Any excessive exercise or heavy lifting should be availed and you should continue gentle walks.
Month One
By the time a month has passed, you’ll be able to take long walks and start participating in light forms of exercise. You still shouldn’t lift heavy weights or perform extreme sports though as this can affect the healing process. At this point, you can also start household chores and day-to-day activities again. There may still be slight tenderness and pain, but if you feel serious discomfort it’s important to check in with a surgeon.
Week Six
When you reach six weeks of healing all soreness, pain, or discomfort should be gone. Make sure to check in with your doctor or health care provider if anything feels wrong – remember you know your body best. Surgeons usually allow you to resume lower body exercise at this point of recovery, which is great news for any fitness lovers!
Also, at six weeks you should be able to see clear results from the liposuction and fat grafts in your buttocks. Remember that 15-35% of the fat transferred in the procedure may dissolve, no matter how careful you are during recovery.
Key Recovery Tips
Though your surgeon will give you a tailored rehabilitation guide before the surgery, there are some general tips you can follow too.
These include:
- Make sure a friend or family member is there to take care of you for a minimum of the first 24 hours post-surgery.
- It’s so important that you avoid putting pressure on the fat graft for at least three weeks after the procedure. This should even be avoided in the fourth week, so buy a specialized pillow beforehand.
- Allow yourself to take time out from work or college, as you won’t have full mobility and will be on strong pain medication for the first week or so.
- Hydration and a balanced diet full of nutrients will promote fast healing and long-term results.
- Do not smoke for at least two weeks before surgery and refrain from smoking during the healing process too. Tobacco products can restrict blood flow which is needed for healing.
- By week 8 resume exercise to keep a stable weight and healthy lifestyle.
How Can Beautifi Help?
A Brazilian butt lift can be life-changing for those who want a boost in self-esteem and a more balanced figure. While the procedure is exciting, you should consider different options before picking a board-certified surgeon. It can be helpful to ask family and friends for advice, but always remember the final choice is yours!
Make sure you research a variety of cosmetic surgeons before booking your procedure. Afterwards, if you have any concerns or questions, ask your surgeon about them during your initial consultation. The Beautifi team is always here to help when choosing a surgeon or financially planning for a cosmetic procedure. Learn how our process works or fill out an application to start your procedure journey!