The Brazilian Butt Lift, or BBL, has become a wildly popular cosmetic surgery. This procedure uses your own fat to reshape and enhance your buttocks, creating a more natural look than implants.
But how long do BBL results last? While a BBL offers long-lasting results, it’s not necessarily permanent. Several factors influence how long your BBL will maintain its shape and volume, including how your body responds to the surgery, your lifestyle, and even the surgeon’s skill.
Let’s dive into what affects the longevity of a BBL and how to make your results last as long as possible.
What is a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL)?
A Brazilian Butt Lift, or BBL, is a cosmetic surgery that uses liposuction to enhance the size and shape of your buttocks. Surgeons take fat from one part of your body and inject it into your butt.
First, they perform liposuction to remove fat from areas like your belly, thighs, or sides. The fat is then cleaned and prepared for injection.
BBLs use your own fat rather than an implant, which minimizes the risk of allergic reactions or rejection by your body. It also gives a more natural look and feel.
Factors Influencing BBL Longevity
Several factors determine how long your BBL results will last. The procedure itself, your lifestyle, and the natural aging process all play a role.
Fat Resorption
It’s important to remember that some of the fat transferred during a BBL will naturally be reabsorbed by your body. The amount of fat that survives the transfer can vary from person to person.
The first few months after surgery are critical for the survival of the fat cells. Following your surgeon’s post-operative instructions carefully can improve fat retention.
Lifestyle and Weight Fluctuations
Significant changes in your weight can definitely affect the size and shape of your buttocks after a BBL. If you gain or lose a lot of weight, it can alter the fat distribution in your body, including the transferred fat in your buttocks.
Maintaining a stable weight is key to preserving your BBL results over the long term. A balanced diet and regular exercise not only contribute to your overall health but can also help you maintain your enhanced curves.
Aging and Natural Changes
As you age, your skin naturally loses elasticity, which can lead to some sagging in the buttocks area. Collagen production also declines with age, affecting the firmness and perkiness of your backside.
Over time, gravity can take its toll, causing the buttocks to lose some of their initial lift. While you can’t stop the aging process, you can take steps to maintain a healthy lifestyle and minimize the effects of gravity on your BBL results.
The Skill of the Surgeon
If you’re considering a BBL, choosing a qualified and experienced surgeon is critical. Look for a board-certified plastic surgeon who has performed many BBLs.
The surgeon’s technique dramatically impacts how much of the transferred fat survives. A skilled surgeon will use methods to maximize fat cell survival during the transfer process. They’ll also use proper injection techniques to create natural-looking curves.
Before the surgery, your surgeon should thoroughly assess your anatomy and discuss your goals. This will help them determine the best surgical approach to achieve the results you’re looking for and ensure the procedure is as safe as possible.
How long do BBL results last?
On average, a Brazilian Butt Lift will keep its shape for about 5 to 10 years. However, there’s no such thing as a “permanent” BBL. The fat that’s transferred during the procedure won’t last forever. Over time, your body will reabsorb some of it.
Everyone’s different, so the exact amount of time your BBL lasts depends on your body, your lifestyle, and how well you maintain your weight.
Maximizing and maintaining BBL results
So, you’ve had a BBL. Now what? The longevity of your results depends on a few key factors, starting with how well you follow your surgeon’s aftercare instructions.
Postoperative care
Proper post-op care is vital for ensuring that the transferred fat cells survive and thrive. This includes dutifully wearing your compression garments, which help to minimize swelling and support your buttocks as they heal. Compression also aids your skin in adjusting to its new contours.
Maintaining a stable weight
It’s so important to keep your weight steady after a BBL. Significant weight fluctuations can wreak havoc on your results. Gaining weight might lead to fat accumulating in unwanted areas, while losing weight could diminish the volume you’ve gained in your buttocks.
Healthy lifestyle
A balanced diet provides the nutrients your skin and tissues need to stay healthy, in addition to helping you maintain a stable weight. Regular exercise, meanwhile, helps you maintain muscle tone and overall fitness. During the initial healing period, choose exercises that don’t put too much strain on your buttocks.
Signs you might need a BBL touch-up
Even with a healthy, stable weight, you may want to consider a BBL revision in the future. Some common reasons people seek a touch-up include:
- Decreased volume: Your butt no longer looks as full as it did after the procedure.
- Asymmetry: Your buttocks look uneven.
- Weight changes: Significant weight gain or loss has altered the shape of your butt.
- Dissatisfaction: You’re just not happy with the way things look, even though your weight is stable.
- Aging effects: Natural sagging and loss of elasticity is making your butt look older.
Is a BBL worth it?
Ultimately, that’s a question only you can answer.
Deciding whether a BBL is the right choice depends on your goals, priorities, and individual circumstances.
Weigh the benefits — a potentially enhanced body image and increased confidence — against the risks that come with any surgery.
And it’s critical to have realistic expectations. Remember that BBL results aren’t permanent. You’ll need to maintain them with a healthy lifestyle and, potentially, follow-up procedures.
Key Takeaways
How long your BBL lasts depends on your surgeon’s skill, your lifestyle, and how well you follow your post-op instructions. To maintain your results, you’ll need to embrace a healthy lifestyle and regularly consult with your surgeon.
With the right care, a BBL can give you years of satisfaction and help you feel more confident in your appearance.