Have you noticed that your rear is flat and doesn’t have the shape and size you want? Fat transfer from the abdomen to the buttocks, also called a Brazilian butt lift (BBL), can slim your belly and also give you the rear you’ve been dreaming of.
Fat transfer from stomach to buttocks is done with liposuction, where the fat is removed from the abdomen, washed and processed, and injected into the rear.
Some of the benefits of a BBL or fat transfer include:
- You will have rounder, perkier buttocks without implants
- The buttocks will look younger and more attractive
- The injected fat comes from your body so that it won’t be rejected
- The incisions are smaller, so there is little scarring on the donor site and buttocks
- Recovery for BBL is much faster than butt implants
If you are considering a fat transfer from stomach to buttocks, it’s essential to know as much as you can before moving forward.
Fat Transfer Overview
BBL, also called fat grafting or fat transfer, has soared in popularity in the past decade. Social media celebrities, such as Kim Kardashian, have made fat transfer look sexy and desirable with a larger, round rear end.
If you have spent hours in your local gym trying to get a larger, rounder rear, you know there’s only so much squats, and other leg exercises can do. Injecting fat into the buttocks is the fastest way to get your desired results.
Fat Transfer Procedure
The BBL involves fat transfer into the buttocks, most often from the stomach. However, fat also can be transferred from the legs, arms, back, and sides. The steps for fat transfer to the buttocks are:
- The surgeon will probably use general or IV sedation. But if a small amount of fat is harvested and transferred, they may only use local anesthesia.
- The surgeon uses liposuction with a cannula to remove fat from the stomach. This involves making small incisions in the stomach and removing fat with a suction tube.
- The removed fat is purified and cleaned for injection into the buttocks.
- The surgeon makes several incisions in each buttock and injects it to create a rounder, larger shape. Most surgeons make three to five incisions in each buttock.
- The stomach and buttock incisions are closed with stitches, then use a compression garment to reduce swelling and bleeding.
Ideal Candidate For Fat Transfer
You could be a good candidate for fat transfer and BBL surgery if you:
- Have lost the natural size and shape to your rear with age or weight changes
- Don’t like how the lower part of your body looks in clothing
- Have enough fat in the stomach or other areas for fat transfer
- Don’t smoke or can abstain several weeks before and after the procedure
- Eat a healthy diet and exercise
- Have not had any recent medical conditions or infections that could affect the recovery process
Fat Transfer Alternatives
Not every patient is a good candidate for fat transfer and BBL. For example, older patients with sagging buttock skin or thin skin may not have good results. In addition, increasing the size of the buttocks won’t fix sagging skin, so you may need a lower body lift to remove the extra tissue.
If you are thin and lack body fat, the surgeon may not have enough tissue to transfer. As a result, you may have better results with silicone implants.
However, implants require a significant recovery of at least two months and sitting on the rear is not allowed during this period.
During the surgical consultation, the surgeon will examine your body, including the stomach and rear, and tell you if you are a candidate for fat transfer and BBL.
Fat Transfer Risks
If you choose a skilled and experienced plastic surgeon, you should have excellent results with your fat transfer and BBL procedure. However, the complication rate for BBL surgery is among the highest of all cosmetic procedures.
The higher rate of complications is primarily because of the popularity of BBL surgery. Many surgeons worldwide offer the procedure and may not have the training and skill to do it safely.
In an effort to cut costs, some patients travel overseas for a cheaper BBL. But, unfortunately, sometimes the results are disastrous.
The most common serious complication from BBL is fat embolism. This happens when the fat is injected too far into the muscles in the rear. In a few cases, the fat may be injected into a blood vessel, entering the bloodstream.
Other problems with BBL include gangrene, sepsis, and fat death. In addition, some surgeons may not put the right amount of fat in the buttocks, and you could need a follow-up procedure.
Remember, having the procedure done in the United States by an experienced surgeon will avoid the most serious complications. Please make sure you choose the best plastic surgeon in your area for a BBL, so it is as safe as possible.
Transferring fat from stomach to buttocks is an important decision. Now that you know more about this popular procedure, you can decide if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Request A Fat Transfer Consultation
Thinking about fat transfer in Beverly Hills? Dr. Nicholas Lahar is pleased to provide plastic surgery procedures to his Beverly Hills patients. He will discuss your aesthetic goals during your consultation and help you decide if you are a good candidate for fat transfer.
References
Brazilian Butt Lift Overview. (2021). Accessed at https://www.healthline.com/health/brazilian-butt-lift
Brazilian Butt Lift. (2021). Accessed at https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/19/style/brazillian-butt-lift-bbl-how-much-risks.html
Brazilian Butt Lifts Are The Deadliest Of All Aesthetic Procedures. (2020). Accessed at https://theconversation.com/brazilian-butt-lifts-are-the-deadliest-of-all-aesthetic-procedures-the-risks-explained-101559