I’m not sure I know of a cosmetic procedure that takes more airtime than BBL. In fact, in all my years as a beauty editor, I would say that the Brazilian Butt Lift is one of my most discussed topics with plastic surgeons. Not because it’s groundbreaking as a process — but because it just is So incredibly popular. It is also known to be one of the most dangerous cosmetic procedures one can undergo.
And late last year, as I was scrolling through my inbox on a pre-Christmas cleanup, I came across something interesting. Some research carried out by Face Med Store revealed that despite the risks associated with the surgery, BBL is the most popular cosmetic procedure on social media in the US. This means that content around the Brazilian Butt Lift has been consumed and searched for more than Botox (including Masseter Botox), lip fillers, liposuction and even last year’s liposuction “trend”. And while I know this may not be indicative of our trends here in the UK at the moment, throughout my career I’ve learned one crucial thing about aesthetic trends – big news in the US at the moment tends to provoke, eventually , waves across the lake.
So what exactly is the Brazilian Butt Lift and why does it remain so popular despite its risks? To get some answers, I spoke to Dr. Ashwin Soni, GMC registered plastic and reconstructive surgeon. Here’s what he wants everyone to know about the BBL.
What is a Brazilian Butt Lift?
First things first, it’s important to know that a BBL is an invasive surgical procedure. “The Brazilian Butt Lift is a cosmetic procedure, which is performed under general anesthesia to enhance volume in the buttocks, define curves and lift the gluteal area. The way this is done is that liposuction is [carried out on] another area of the body, for example the abdomen or lower back. Fat is harvested from these areas and your own fat (autologous fat) is re-injected into the buttocks and hips to sculpt and strengthen this area,” explains Dr Soni.
What are the risks of getting a BBL?
As previously mentioned, Brazilian Butt Lifts are notoriously dangerous. In fact, this is why Dr Soni does not perform them. “The risks of the surgery wouldn’t be worth it to me as a plastic surgeon. The mortality rate is too high for a cosmetic procedure. If I didn’t do it myself or recommend it to my family or friends, then I certainly wouldn’t performed on my patients. If you are a patient who is considering this, then please make sure you go to a plastic surgeon who is skilled, highly trained and performs a large volume of these days every day,” he urges.
is very It is important to understand the risks associated with a Brazilian butt lift. “BBL procedures have been associated with higher risks than other cosmetic procedures and have a higher mortality rate. There have been a few deaths worldwide related to this procedure. According to recent data, the mortality rate has decreased, but is still higher than other cosmetic procedures “, reveals Dr. Soni.
So what makes BBLs a higher risk surgery? “Deaths are specifically linked to the risk of fat embolism, where droplets of fat are (accidentally) injected into blood vessels, which can then cause severe clots in the body and travel to the heart or lungs – potentially leading to devastating complications. including death,” he says.
According to Dr. Soni, one factor contributing to the increased risk is the tendency to desire significant bulking. “Re-injecting very large volumes of fat into the buttocks and hips increases the risk. You also don’t want to put too much pressure on that area by bulking up, as then other problems can occur, such as fat cell death, impaired blood supply to the area and poor lymphatic drainage,” he explains.
And while any invasive surgery involving general anesthesia is considered risky for obvious reasons, there are other risks involved with BBLs, such as “seromas (fluid collections), lumps, cysts, infection, post-operative pain and contour irregularities.
Why is the BBL so popular?
Despite the above risks, it is clear that Brazilian Butt Lifts are not going anywhere. It seems society’s desire for bigger bums outweighs some of the deadly risks associated with the procedure. With a number of celebrities suspected of having this surgery (and other forms of augmentation such as fillers and implants), BBL is in high demand. “BBL procedures have been trending on social media for many years, and thus have grown in popularity in the cosmetic surgery world. I personally believe that it has become another trend on social media that causes some audiences to have unrealistic expectations,” says Dr. Soni.
As a beauty editor who is very knowledgeable about such trends, I also believe that there is a lot of confusion about Brazilian Butt Lifts and what they are. Enlargement around the bottom and hips can come in many forms, and while some Influencers and celebrities may admit to having had filler injections or butt implants, BBL is a completely different surgery and procedure, with its own unique set of risks and results.
The talk of butt augmentation in the celebrity world and in the media only fuels people’s interest and then adds to their confusion. The fascination surrounding whether or not a certain celebrity has undergone a butt augmentation is undeniable. It is, in my opinion, the lack of open discussion and acceptance around growth that further fuels the desire for bigger derrières. While I don’t think any celebrity should I have To discuss any personal cosmetic procedures in the media, I feel strongly that denying it or refusing to discuss it honestly when asked only heightens people’s interest and desire to emulate their appearance.
“People can underestimate the risks and not fully appreciate that this is a serious surgery with recovery and downtime. People need to put a lot of thought, caution and care before embarking on such a procedure, in my opinion,” he shares. Dr. Soni.
How long does a BBL last?
As mentioned, BBL is very different from filler and implant surgery. While the filler can be reversed and the implants can be removed (again, both come with their own unique risks), the Brazilian Butt Lift is not easily detectable (not by x-ray or scans) and has no ‘undo’ » button ‘.
“It is important to know that this is a surgery where the results are permanent and once the fat is incorporated it will shrink as you lose weight and increase in size as you gain weight, just like normal fat cells would behave. There is no real reversal of the operation, other than liposuction in the area,” explains Dr. Soni.
