Brazilian Butt Lift
What is a BBL?
Fat grafting to the buttocks, often known as a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL), is a dual-benefit procedure that uses your body’s own fat to enhance the size and shape of the buttocks. First, fat is gently harvested from other areas of the body—such as the abdomen, flanks, or thighs—using liposuction. This fat is then carefully purified and precisely injected into the buttocks.
This procedure is a powerful tool for sculpting the entire torso and lower body. My approach focuses on creating natural-looking volume and a lifted, proportionate shape that balances your overall physique, turning a two-dimensional enhancement into a three-dimensional, harmonious result.
Who is a Good Candidate for a BBL?
A BBL is an excellent, natural option for individuals who desire more volume and a more defined shape in their buttocks. Ideal candidates:
- Have enough excess, “donor” fat in other areas (like the abdomen, hips, or back) to harvest.
- Are in good overall health, are non-smokers, and have good skin elasticity.
- Desire a moderate, natural-looking increase in volume and improved shape.
- Are able to avoid sitting directly on their buttocks for a period after surgery.
- Have realistic expectations and understand that some of the transferred fat will be naturally reabsorbed.
What To Expect
What I Evaluate During Your Consultation
During your consultation, we will focus on your overall body harmony. My evaluation has two parts:
- Donor Sites: I will assess your abdomen, flanks, back, and thighs to identify areas with sufficient fat for harvesting. This liposuction simultaneously sculpts these areas, which is a key part of the aesthetic result.
- Buttock Shape: I will analyze your current buttock shape, skin quality, and existing volume to determine the best placement for the fat. My goal is to create a seamless, curvaceous transition from the lower back and flanks into fuller, rounder buttocks, achieving a balanced look.
What to Expect During Surgery
A Brazilian Butt Lift is performed under general anesthesia with a board-certified anesthesiologist
The procedure is performed in two distinct stages. First, I will perform liposuction, carefully harvesting fat from the pre-determined donor sites. Second, this fat is isolated, purified, and prepared for transfer. I then strategically re-inject the viable fat cells into different layers of the buttocks to create the desired shape, lift, and volume. The incisions for both liposuction and injection are very small and placed discreetly.
Recovery & Healing
This procedure has a unique recovery. You will wear a compression garment on the areas treated with liposuction. The most critical instruction is to avoid all direct pressure on your buttocks for at least 2-3 weeks. This means no sitting or lying on your back. You will need to sleep on your stomach or side, and use a special “BBL pillow” or modified cushion when sitting is unavoidable (like driving). This is crucial for the survival of the newly transferred fat cells. You can typically return to light work in 1-2 weeks, but strenuous activity is restricted for 4-6 weeks. Not all of the transferred fat will survive; I account for this by slightly over-filling, and the final, stable results will be visible after about 3-6 months.
Schedule Consultation
Turn your dreams into reality
Get in-depth personal consultation where I will review your goals, anatomy, and medical history to formulate a plan that is specific to you.
I am located in a beautiful and classic San Francisco neighborhood called Pacific Heights.
Directions: Apple | Google
Phone: 415-981-3911
FAQs
What is a "Mommy Makeover"?
A “Mommy Makeover” is not a single procedure, but rather a combination of body and breast procedures customized to help a patient restore their pre-pregnancy form. Pregnancy and childbirth can cause significant changes, such as weakened abdominal muscles (diastasis recti), stretched skin, and changes in breast volume and shape.
A Mommy Makeover is tailored to your specific goals and may include procedures such as:
- Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck): To repair separated abdominal muscles and remove excess skin.
- Breast Augmentation: To restore lost breast volume.
- Breast Lift (Mastopexy): To correct sagging and reposition the breasts.
- Liposuction: To contour and remove stubborn fat from the abdomen, flanks, or thighs.
Depending on your anatomy, these procedures can be performed in a single stage, or they may need to be performed in stages for your safety. I will review all of that with your during your consultation.
Am I a good candidate for body contouring?
Will I have significant scars?
All surgical procedures result in scars. As a plastic surgeon, my focus is on meticulous surgical technique to minimize their appearance. I place incisions in the most discreet locations possible—for example, low in the bikini line for an abdominoplasty or in the natural groin crease for a thigh lift.
Scar maturation is a process that takes up to a year or more. We will have a detailed discussion about scar placement during your consultation, and I will provide a comprehensive scar care plan to help you achieve the best possible result.
How much pain is involved in recovery?
When can I return to work and exercise?
Recovery times vary for each procedure and each patient. Here are some general guidelines:
Return to Work: For a desk job, most patients can return within 1-2 weeks for procedures like liposuction or an arm lift, and 2-3 weeks for an abdominoplasty.
Return to Exercise: Light walking is encouraged almost immediately to promote circulation. However, you must avoid strenuous activity, heavy lifting, and vigorous exercise for at least 4-8 weeks. I will provide you with a specific timeline based on your procedure and your healing progress.
Is liposuction a substitute for weight loss?
No, it is not. Liposuction is a fat reduction and body sculpting procedure, not a weight loss method. It is designed for removing localized, stubborn fat deposits that are resistant to diet and exercise. The best results are seen in patients who are already at a stable, healthy weight.
What happens if I gain weight after my procedure?
Body contouring procedures provide long-lasting results. However, they do not stop the natural aging process or the effects of future weight fluctuations.
For Liposuction: The fat cells that are removed are gone permanently. If you gain a moderate amount of weight, it will likely be distributed more evenly over your body. Significant weight gain, however, can cause the remaining fat cells in the treated and non-treated areas to enlarge, which will compromise your results.
For Skin-Tightening Lifts: Significant weight gain can stretch the skin that has been tightened, potentially leading to new laxity.
Maintaining a stable weight and healthy lifestyle is the best way to protect your surgical investment and enjoy your results for many years to come.
Can body procedures be combined?
Yes, and they very often are. Combining procedures, such as an abdominoplasty with liposuction (as in a Mommy Makeover), can be both safe and efficient. It allows me to create a more harmonious, comprehensive result and allows you to have a single surgical event and one consolidated recovery period. During your consultation, we will discuss which procedures, if any, are appropriate to combine in your specific case.
Your Body Contouring Options
These are the other core body procedures I do, alone or in combination to achieve a comprehensive and balanced body contour.
Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)
An abdominoplasty, or “tummy tuck,” is a procedure designed to create a smoother, firmer, and more toned abdominal profile.
VIEW PROCEDURE >
Liposuction
Liposuction is a versatile and refined surgical procedure used to sculpt the body by removing localized, stubborn fat deposits.
VIEW PROCEDURE >
Brachioplasty (Arm Lift)
A brachioplasty, or arm lift, is a surgical procedure that reshapes the upper arms by addressing excess, sagging skin and stubborn fat.
VIEW PROCEDURE >
Thighplasty (Thigh Lift)
A thighplasty, or thigh lift, is designed to address loose, sagging skin and excess fat in the thigh area.
VIEW PROCEDURE >
My Approach
I am committed to the highest standards of patient care and plastic surgery. I believe in developing a strong relationship with my patients in order to best serve their needs and desires.
Furthemore, I am committed to the art and science of plastic surgery and believe that the best results come from a combination of technique, knowledge of patient anatomy, and artistry. My goal is to achieve excellence with a natural aesthetic and elegance while matching the patients’ desires to what is surgically possible so that they can radiate from the inside out. I look forward to meeting you.
Patient Testimonials
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Dear Dr. Nguyen, I am so grateful I chose you as my breast augmentation surgeon. My results are not only natural, but feel authentic to me! Beyond what I hoped for.
I feel happier and more like myself than ever before. I only wish I had found you sooner! THANK YOU!!
Words cannot explain our gratitude for all your thoughtfulness and care. You will always be in our hearts.
Dr. Nguyen is very professional with her patient consultation. I highly recommend her for any surgical procedure.
Dr. Nguyen, Thanks isn’t enough for the exceptional care you’ve given me. Thank you and my sincerest gratitude for making me feel like myself again.
Dr. Nguyen was incredible during my entire process with my BA procedure. She helped me select the size that felt perfect and natural for me and was incredibly attentive with all of my questions and concerns both during and after my procedure.
I am thrilled with my results 7 months post-op and highly recommend Dr. Nguyen.
