Brazilian Butt Lift in Farmington Hills

What a BBL addresses

A BBL enhances the size and shape of the buttocks using your body’s own fat. Because that fat is removed by liposuction from other areas, such as the abdomen, thighs or flanks, the procedure also contours those areas. The degree of enhancement, from subtle to more pronounced, is planned with Dr. Hardaway at consultation.

BBL, buttock lift or implants

A BBL adds volume. Loose or dimpled skin on the buttocks or thighs, which can follow sun damage, aging, weight changes, pregnancy or genetics, may be better treated with a buttock lift or a lower body lift. A buttock lift raises loose skin without adding volume, and can be combined with fat grafting.

Buttock implants are silicone implants placed surgically in the buttock tissue. They carry a higher risk of infection and capsular contracture than a BBL, and can look less natural.

Am I a good candidate?

Candidates generally:

• have good skin tone on the hips and buttocks
• have enough fat stored elsewhere in the body to transfer
• are in good overall health, without serious medical conditions
• have no conditions that slow or impair healing
• have realistic goals

Dr. Hardaway evaluates candidacy at consultation, taking into account your medical history, current health and goals.

How the procedure is performed

A BBL is performed under general anesthesia. Fat is harvested by liposuction from donor areas, most commonly the abdomen and back, then purified to separate it from other components. The prepared fat is injected into the buttocks to build volume and shape. Liposuction contouring of the back is also part of shaping the result.

Because the procedure uses your own fat rather than an implant, the risk of rejection is reduced.

Recovery

A compression garment is worn for at least three to six weeks to reduce swelling and support the transferred fat. Pressure must be kept off the buttocks for three to six weeks, so you sleep on your stomach or side and use a BBL pillow when seated. Transferred fat survives only if it attaches to a blood supply, which is why these instructions matter.

You can shower 48 hours after surgery. Most patients do not have major pain. Most return to work about two weeks after surgery, and some swelling may remain for several months.

Risks

All surgery carries risk. BBL risks include fat embolism, infection, and aesthetic concerns such as asymmetry or irregularities in the buttocks’ appearance. Fat embolism has symptoms similar to blood clots in the lungs, and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons has established guidelines for fat transfer to the buttocks to help avoid it.

Some transferred fat is naturally absorbed, and a second procedure may be needed if the first does not reach the desired effect. Dr. Hardaway discusses these risks at consultation, and no outcome can be guaranteed.