Post Procedure Guide to BBL

Dr. Nicholas Lahar

Jun 12, 2026

The Brazilian butt lift (BBL) is a popular plastic surgery that naturally increases the size and shape of the rear with liposuction and fat transfer. Liposuction is used on areas of the body that contain stubborn fat deposits, such as the abdomen, flanks, or thighs.

The removed fat is washed, processed, and injected into the buttocks to provide a more pleasing shape. While some of the transferred fat will not survive, new fat cells will grow over time, and the results will show themselves after one or two months.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), approximately 20% to 40% of injected fat is absorbed by the body during the healing process. It’s why surgeons overfill at the time of transfer and why the no-sitting rule is so important during early recovery.

Please continue reading to learn more, including the recovery process after BBL surgery.

Contents

1 Why have BBL?
2 BBL recovery guidelines
3 Request a BBL consultation
4 References

Why have BBL?

The shape of one’s body primarily comes down to genetics and lifestyle. All of us store fat differently, and your skeletal structure is a significant factor in how your body looks and is shaped.

When you get pregnant or age, it’s possible that you could have something about your shape that you don’t like. For example, some patients want to fix their stomach with a tummy tuck, while others might not like the flat appearance of their buttocks.

Even proper diet and exercise can leave the buttocks flat and shapeless. No matter how many squats you do, there is only so much you can do to enhance the size of your rear. But BBL surgery can be the solution.

Many people decide to have a BBL for one or more of these reasons:

Provide more balance to the upper and lower body
Have more of an hourglass shape
Want buttock augmentation without silicone implants
Want clothing to fit better
Reduce fat in other parts of the body

A prospective study on BBL patient-reported outcomes published in PubMed found high satisfaction rates at one-year follow-up. Most patients report significant improvements in body image and self-confidence following the procedure.

A Brazilian butt lift can offer most patients impressive results. But it’s essential to have a realistic outlook about what the procedure can do. Talk with the surgeon about your aesthetic goals, and they can tell you if a BBL can help.

BBL recovery guidelines

Most patients recover quickly and fully from their Brazilian butt lift. However, it’s important to remember that an unskilled or inexperienced surgeon may not provide the results you want. It’s critical to select a skilled and experienced surgeon for safety and the best results.

Below are essential guidelines to ensure the ideal results during recovery.

Sitting after BBL

Before going into a week-by-week recovery schedule, it’s important to cover sitting after a Brazilian butt lift. The bottom line is you need to avoid sitting directly on the rear for three or four weeks.

Sitting too soon after surgery can affect the survival of the transferred fat and can alter your results. If you really need to sit briefly, you can use a donut pillow that distributes the weight to the outside of the posterior.

Not sitting on your butt for several weeks ensures that as much of the transferred fat as possible survives. The ASPS advises that patients should avoid sitting or lying directly on the buttocks for a minimum of two weeks, and ideally for longer. This is to give the transferred fat cells the best possible chance of survival and integration. While it’s difficult to get used to not sitting normally for a few weeks, it’s essential for the best results!

The no-sitting rule is the most important behavioral change patients make during BBL recovery. In our practice, we spend real time before surgery helping patients plan their home and work setup so they can follow this guideline without compromising their daily life more than necessary.

– Dr. Lahar

Immediately after BBL

The BBL involves liposuction and fat transfer to the buttocks, so it is done under IV or general sedation. After the procedure, you will be in the recovery room and groggy for a few hours. The medical staff will monitor you for an hour or two.

Assuming all is well, a friend or family member can take you home.

You may have some soreness and discomfort for a few days. But don’t worry, because your surgeon can give you a prescription for pain medication to get over this part.

A safety review published in PubMed confirms that early mobilization and careful postoperative protocols are among the key factors in reducing the risk of serious complications.

When you get home, it’s important to get plenty of rest and eight hours of sleep per night. You also should go for a brief walk as soon as you can to reduce the chances of blood clots. Walking also improves circulation and speeds up the recovery process.

The first 10 days after BBL

The first week to 10 days after the Brazilian butt lift is when your body does most of its healing. This means you will see a lot of improvements in terms of less swelling and bruising.

It’s important to wear your compression garment to reduce swelling and lessen fluid retention. The compression garment will also ensure the skin adheres to the areas where you had liposuction.

Week 2 to 6 after BBL

Most of the swelling, pain, and tenderness should fade during this time. Remember that you may not feel pain after week two or three, but it’s still important to avoid sitting. Most patients can drive again once the surgeon says it’s ok to sit for longer periods.

Strenuous exercise should be avoided, but feel free to go for longer walks and do your regular household chores.

Week 6 and beyond after BBL

At this point, you should be recovered enough to exercise your lower body as usual. Most or all of the pain and swelling should be gone, and you should be able to enjoy the final results.

The ASPS notes that maintaining a stable body weight after a BBL is one of the most important factors in preserving long-term results. Significant weight changes after surgery can alter the distribution and appearance of the transferred fat.

Patients at the six-week mark are usually the most excited we see them. The results are there, the recovery discomfort is gone, and they can finally sit normally and get back to the gym. That’s when the transformation really hits home for most people.

– Dr. Lahar

A Brazilian butt lift is an effective and popular way to naturally increase the size and shape of the rear. So, speak to your surgeon about this popular procedure today.

Request a BBL consultation

Thinking about a Brazilian butt lift 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 a BBL is a good fit.