Is BBL surgery safer in 2022?
The Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) is as popular as ever. In 2021, the Aesthetic Society released a report that said that in 2020 alone, 40,320 buttock augmentations were performed. Similarly, if you look at Google keyword trend data, you'll see that the procedure's popularity has not decreased and is on the rise as of the writing of this piece.
Though the name implies a lift procedure, the BBL is technically a buttock augmentation via fat transfer. While other lifts, like the breast, arm, or thigh lift involve the excision of fat and skin tissue, usually to correct sagging skin caused by dramatic changes in weight or pregnancy, the BBL increases the volume of the buttocks by transferring fat extracted from the waist or abdomen. There is no removal of skin tissue.
The BBL's popularity is in its dramatic and convenient results. Because the waist is slimmed down via liposuction while the buttocks are augmented, the result is a body with dramatic curves. With the rise to fame of celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Nicki Minaj, both of whom sport large behinds, the popularity of the BBL has only soared.
Indeed, the other significant way to augment your buttocks is via gluteal implants, which are made of soft silicone gel. Implants add noticeable volume, but the recovery can be more difficult than that of the BBL. There is greater risk of infection, your body may reject the implants, or you could suffer from a condition known as capsular contracture. Though rare, this is when the tissue around the implant hardens and tightens, leading to soreness and possible deformations that would need subsequent treatment. Indeed, one of the most appealing benefits of the BBL over butt implants is that you will not need to go back to the surgeon every 10 years to check up on your implants. If successful, the BBL can last a lifetime and require minimal, if any, revisions.
Safety
Nevertheless, the safety of the BBL has received some alarmed attention. While liposuction is generally safe, fat transfer carries some risks it's best to be informed about.
The buttocks are home to a network of blood vessels, all of which drain into the inferior vena cava (IVC). A vein, this large blood vessel takes deoxygenated blood back to the heart to be recycled. The problem emerges when surgeons inject the fat into the buttocks. The fat should be injected into the subcutaneous region of the buttock using a cannula—a long metal tube that can vary thickness depending on the technique used—just beneath the skin. If a surgeon exercises poor technique, they could inject the fat into a blood vessel that flows into the IVC or below the muscle in the buttock, where the fat could also get into the circulatory system. When fat gets into the bloodstream, it can trigger a fat embolism. The fat can reach the heart or lungs and cause serious symptoms.
Over the past couple of years, the surgical community has banded together to improve the standards of care for the procedure. In 2018 various surgery associations like the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery formed new safety guidelines around buttock fat transfers. The purpose was to increase awareness of the risks involved in the BBL.
Nevertheless, top surgeons across the country agree that the procedure can be very safe if the surgeon performing the BBL has the experience and knows well the risks involved. It is in the patients' best interests to exercise caution when selecting their surgeons, especially seeing how the amount of fat being transferred in operations today is higher than ever. At Unique, we recommend that you choose a doctor like our own who is board-certified, experienced, enjoy well-regarded reviews, and have a social media profile that inspires trust and confidence in their skills. Select a doctor whose aesthetic you trust and who can talk with you to achieve your desired result.
Getting a BBL is a transformative experience, and you want to make sure that you are in the best hands in the business for what is a very involved procedure. Don't hesitate to contact Dr. Fisher or his expert team. They are there to answer your questions and clarify issues around safety.