The Brazilian surgery (BBL, or Brazilian Butt Lift) is an aesthetic procedure that is becoming increasingly popular with patients who desire fuller, rounder and firmer buttocks. The Brazilian butt lift is a surgical method in which fat is taken from other areas of the patient’s body and injected into the buttocks. This autologous fat transfer achieves a more voluminous and appealing shape of the buttocks. Women, but also men, with loose skin or a loss of volume of the buttocks and a desire for a firmer or fuller bottom can benefit from this treatment.
It is important to note that the Brazilian butt lift is not a weight loss procedure, but aims to improve the shape and contour of the buttocks.
BBL surgery is a complex procedure that requires careful planning and a great deal of experience to perform. First, fatty tissue is removed by liposuction from areas such as the abdomen, thighs or hips. In the next step, this fat is purified and processed. It is then injected into the buttocks to achieve the desired volume and shape. PD Dr. Oliver Scheufler and his team ensure that the fat is distributed evenly and symmetrically in the buttocks to achieve natural and aesthetic results.
Overall, the Brazilian butt lift offers an effective way to improve the appearance of the buttocks and achieve a more attractive silhouette. Through careful planning and expert execution, which is standard at the AARE KLINIK, our patients can expect long-term and satisfying results. A Brazilian butt lift is therefore a popular option for patients who want a significant and permanent change in their buttocks and are prepared to undergo a surgical procedure.
Considerations
Through BBL surgery, patients can not only achieve a tightening and attractive shaping of their buttocks, but also an improvement in their overall body proportions. We know from experience that a well-shaped buttock not only helps to improve the external appearance but can also boost self-confidence.
Changes to the buttocks are often age-related but can also be caused by hereditary factors, weight fluctuations or severe weight loss. Accordingly, a Brazilian butt lift can be considered for young women with congenitally small buttocks as well as for older women who have lost volume and skin firmness.
Buttock augmentation with autologous fat (BBL) may be appropriate for you if one or more of the following conditions are present:
- You want a fuller and firmer bottom.
- Your bottom is flabby, flat or sagging.
- The volume of the buttocks is insufficient or has receded over time.
- Excess skin in the form of a fold has formed on the lower buttock contour.
- The buttocks are asymmetrically shaped.
- Your well-being and self-esteem are affected by the changes to the buttocks.
Overall, the Brazilian butt lift offers a number of advantages for patients who expect improved body proportions with firm, full and beautifully shaped buttocks, which can enhance their overall appearance and help to increase their self-esteem. An alternative to the BBL is buttock augmentation with implants, which we will also inform you about during your consultation.
A Brazilian butt lift is used to increase the volume of the buttocks with the body’s own fatty tissue (lipofilling) to create a fuller buttock contour and firmer skin. Fat tissue is used to eliminate the need for foreign material in the form of a silicone implant or to simultaneously remove excess fat deposits from other parts of the body, such as the hips, abdomen or thighs, using liposuction to obtain the fat tissue that is then used for the Brazilian butt lift. Excess fatty tissue in other areas can be ideally used to build up the buttocks and improve the overall body shape at the same time. The operation is generally possible at any age, as long as there are no serious underlying illnesses that increase the risk of surgery too much.
A prerequisite for buttock augmentation with autologous fat tissue is a largely stable body weight, as significant weight fluctuations can impair the results of the operation. The transplanted fat cells can grow if weight is subsequently gained or shrink if weight is lost, which is why planned weight loss should be completed before a Brazilian butt lift. Significant obesity can also be a contraindication for the procedure or significantly increase the surgical risk and impair the expected result.
Consultation
Careful planning is a prerequisite for a successful operation. This begins with your personal consultation at the AARE KLINIK. It is helpful for your surgeon to learn about your wishes, ideas and expectations for the operation so that he can give you a realistic idea of the possibilities and limitations of the procedure.
The buttocks and surrounding areas of the body will be examined in detail to determine the firmness and elasticity of the skin, any excess skin and the thickness of the fatty tissue. During the physical examination, measurements are carried out and digital photographs are taken, which are then used to objectively analyze your buttocks and body contours on the screen and plan the operation.
We use the results of the physical examination and image analysis to recommend the most suitable treatment procedure for you.
An individual treatment plan will be drawn up together with you, which may include liposuction on the desired body parts or possibly an additional skin tightening in addition to the Brazilian butt lift. All risks and possible complications of the procedure will be discussed with you and the agreed operation will be documented on a planning sheet.
In order to plan the operation, we need information from you about your medical history (previous illnesses and previous operations), current illnesses (e.g. high blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid dysfunction), allergies or intolerances and any medication you may be taking. These are used to assess the risk of surgery and anesthesia. Please bring all current and important medical findings with you to the consultation.
If you are planning to lose a significant amount of weight in the foreseeable future, this should be taken into account when planning a buttock augmentation with fatty tissue, as this can significantly affect the outcome of the operation. It is therefore usually advisable to wait until your weight has stabilized before embarking on a butt lift.
Procedure
Individual factors and personal preferences determine the choice of surgical procedure to improve the contour of the buttocks. The Brazilian butt lift uses excess fatty tissue in other areas, such as the abdomen, hips or thighs, to build up and shape the buttocks. The removal of fat deposits from other parts of the body also contributes to an overall improvement in body shape.
The excess fatty tissue is suctioned from the respective areas using blunt cannulas (liposuction) and specially prepared. The purified fatty tissue is then injected into the subcutaneous and fatty tissue on the buttocks using fine cannulas (lipofilling) in order to increase the volume of the buttocks, shape the buttocks and even out asymmetries or irregularities in the buttocks contour (dimples).
The advantage of autologous fat tissue is that it is the body’s own tissue, which is often available in sufficient quantities and does not pose the risks of a foreign body, as well as having good sculptability.
Risks
BBL surgery, in which the patient’s own fatty tissue is transferred, is a procedure frequently performed by plastic surgeons. Nevertheless, there are certain risks involved. In order to minimize the risks and complications, it is crucial that BBL surgery is performed by an experienced specialist in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, such as PD Dr. Oliver Scheufler, who plans the operation carefully and also performs it himself.
In this way, serious complications such as infections, wound healing disorders or circulatory disorders of the buttock tissue are rare if the surgery is correctly indicated and performed properly. In individual cases, however, they may require longer follow-up treatment or a repeat operation. You will therefore be informed about all risks and possible complications during your consultation.
Minor complications, which usually heal without consequences, include bruising (hematomas) and swelling. Sensory disturbances in the skin of the buttocks occasionally occur but are usually only temporary.
The risk of more serious complications, such as infections or circulatory disorders of the buttock skin and wound healing disorders, is increased in smokers or patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes. Combination procedures also increase the risk of complications. Fat embolisms, i.e. the blockage of large blood vessels by injected fatty tissue, have been reported as the cause of deaths during Brazilian butt lifts. In most of these cases, however, the treatment was not carried out correctly and, for example, fatty tissue was injected too deeply and with the wrong cannulas, which greatly increased the risk of serious complications.
A repeat operation may be advisable in individual cases in order to treat complications such as infection or wound healing disorders.
General risks
- Hematoma (bruising)
- Wound healing disorder
- Wound infection
- Numbness in the surgical area (temporary or permanent)
- Circulatory disorder of the buttock skin
- Scars
- Slight asymmetry
- Corrective surgery
- Thrombosis and embolism
- Fat embolism
A Brazilian butt lift performed by an experienced plastic surgeon is considered a safe procedure with few complications and a high level of patient satisfaction. As we are aware of the risks, we take appropriate measures to ensure the safety and satisfaction of our patients. You can also help minimize certain risks yourself by following our recommendations before and after surgery.
Preparation
At the AARE KLINIK in Bern, we aim to make your operation and the time before and after as pleasant as possible. You can support us and yourself by following a few rules of conduct.
It is advisable for smokers to stop smoking two weeks before and after the operation, as smoking can impair wound healing. Certain medications that increase the risk of bleeding, such as aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and some vitamin preparations and homeopathic remedies should also be discontinued 2 weeks before the operation. You will receive precise instructions on this from us before the operation.
Brazilian butt lifts can sometimes be performed on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia. If this is the case, you should ensure that you can be picked up after the operation and cared for at home for the next 24 hours. For certain pre-existing conditions or combination procedures, inpatient treatment at the AARE KLINIK or at a private hospital with an overnight stay may be advisable. This is the case, for example, if a Brazilian butt lift is combined with other procedures such as extensive liposuction or tightening.
Day of surgery
A Brazilian butt lift is usually performed on an outpatient or short inpatient basis at the AARE KLINIK or otherwise as an inpatient treatment at a private hospital (Salem Spital).
On the day of your butt lift, you will be prepared for the procedure by your plastic surgeon, PD Dr. Oliver Scheufler, who will also perform your operation personally. Depending on the desired anesthesia, you will have a further consultation with the anesthesiologist. Once everything has been clarified, the operation is carried out.
As a rule, a Brazilian butt lift is performed under general anesthesia. For your safety, your heart rate, blood pressure, pulse and blood oxygen level will be monitored during the operation. You will also be given various medications to ensure your well-being.
During the actual procedure, the fatty tissue is harvested and processed using a special liposuction technique to prepare it for transplantation. The fat cells are then injected into the buttocks to improve the desired volume and shape. You will be positioned on your tummy so that your surgeon is able to see and shape your buttocks and body proportions harmoniously.
At the end of the Brazilian butt lift, wound dressings and a compression garment are applied. The garment helps to immobilize the wound and reduces the swelling of the treated tissues after the procedure and during the following weeks.
After the operation, you will be taken to the recovery room where you will continue to be monitored until you are fully awake and able to stand up. After just a few hours, you will be allowed to go home with an accompanying person. If you are operated at the hospital, you will be transferred from the recovery room to the ward, where you will stay until the next day.
You should be able to stand up regularly and walk for a few minutes on the day of the surgery to minimize the risk of thrombosis. The pain after a BBL is usually mild and can be compared to a strong muscle soreness. This is usually managed with mild oral painkillers with a decongestant effect, which you can continue to take at home for the first few days.
After an outpatient surgery, you should be taken home by someone who will look after you continuously for the first 24 hours. This person will receive all the necessary instructions from us for your aftercare as well as rules of conduct in the event of complications or unexpected events.
After surgery
Operations, including BBL surgery, are procedures that are performed on an individual basis. And since everyone reacts differently to surgery, the recovery time after each operation also varies from patient to patient. In the first few days after the Brazilian butt lift, you should take it easy physically and not lie or sit on your buttocks. From the first day after the operation, you should stand up regularly and walk short distances to prevent the risk of thrombosis. You will also receive blood-thinning injections to prevent thrombosis. Even if you still have difficulty walking at first, you should avoid lying down for long periods during the first few days.
As a rule, you will have to sleep on your stomach or side for a few days. Only take the painkillers prescribed to you and do not take any medication containing aspirin or other anticoagulants. Wear the compression garment fitted to you continuously during the day and at night.
In the first days after the procedure, you may experience a feeling of tension and slight soreness in the buttock region. You should therefore take the painkillers prescribed for you. There is often an initial feeling of numbness in the skin of the buttocks. This is usually only temporary. However, it can take weeks to months, and in some cases even longer, for the sensation to normalize. Swelling and bruising of the buttocks usually disappear within a few weeks.
You are usually up and about one to two days after the operation and can resume most of your daily activities. The wound dressings are removed a few days after the operation, after which you can shower again. However, you should avoid full baths and excessive heat (e.g. sauna) for several weeks until the swelling has subsided completely. Skin sutures will dissolve on their own or will be removed after a week.
After removal of the sutures, we recommend starting intensive skin and scar care with moisturizing skin ointments and light massage. In individual cases, special treatment of the scars with silicone gel or silicone patches may be advisable for several months. Fresh scars should not be exposed to UV radiation for at least 6 months to prevent increased pigmentation.
Activities that require prolonged sitting can usually be resumed after 2-3 weeks. However, you should wear a compression garment for 6-8 weeks and avoid physically strenuous and sports activities for several weeks.
After the operation, you will be checked at the AARE KLINIK at regular intervals, where we will monitor your recovery and provide you with further assistance for optimal healing until the final surgical result is achieved.
Outcome
Healing must be completed before the final surgical result can be seen. This takes time and is initially associated with some visible marks, which disappear again during the healing process. For example, swelling and bruising may persist for some time after the operation. The healing process is gradual and it takes several months before the results of the operation can be finally assessed.
Scars may initially be red and swollen or appear darker pigmented. The initially reddened small scars fade over time. Nevertheless, in some cases they may remain permanently visible, even if they are only recognizable as delicate dots. The advantage of liposuction and autologous fat injection is that there are usually no or hardly any visible scars.
We would like to point out that the appearance of the scars may even deteriorate after a few weeks before they become flatter and paler. In individual cases, bulging (hypertrophic) scars may require follow-up treatment with special silicone pads and cortisone injections.
A Brazilian butt lift serves to improve the shape of the buttocks and body contour. It also makes it easier to wear certain clothing. BBL surgery can also increase your own well-being and self-esteem.
The results of a Brazilian butt lift are usually long-lasting. However, the ageing process as well as weight fluctuations, pregnancy and lifestyle can influence the result.
Costs
A Brazilian butt lift is an aesthetic procedure that is not covered by health insurance. The treatment costs must therefore be borne by the patients themselves. The costs for a Brazilian butt lift are variable and mainly depend on the complexity of the operation, the number of body regions from which fatty tissue is to be removed and the facility where the operation is performed (AARE KLINIK or private hospital). An exact cost estimate can therefore only be provided after a personal consultation. In total, you should expect costs starting at CHF 12,000.
The costs are composed of:
- Surgical fee (including consultation and post-operative care)
- Anaesthesia fee
- Hospital stay, if applicable
- Buttocks implants
- Compression garements
- Medication
- Diagnostics (laboratory, ECG, scans, etc.)
Appointments for Brazilian Butt Lift with Dr. Scheufler in Bern
A Brazilian butt lift is a medical procedure designed to help you feel more comfortable with your body and more satisfied with yourself. We are happy to accompany you on this journey with our specialist knowledge and experience. You can tell us about your wishes in a personal consultation and we will advise you about the most suitable methods.
Why not arrange your personal consultation at the AARE KLINIK right now?
PS: Preliminary examinations and procedures for buttocks and intimate surgery are, of course, carried out in the presence of a female assistant if you so wish.
PD Dr. Oliver Scheufler, board certified plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgeon and author of this website, is pleased to be at your service for a personal consultation. Besides his main occupation at the AARE KLINIK, Dr. Scheufler is also scientifically active and lectures at the University of Basel. He also was a visiting professor at Duke University (USA). Please do not hesitate to contact him if you wish a professional consultation!