Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL): Procedure, Recovery, Risks, and Results
Updated: 3 days ago
Written and medically reviewed by Dr. Baraa Alnahhal, MD · Last reviewed: October 2026 · How we review
Quick Answer: What is a Brazilian butt lift?
A Brazilian butt lift (BBL) is cosmetic surgery that moves your fat to your buttocks for more volume, but it doesn't fix sagging skin. Fat is removed with liposuction, cleaned and injected above the muscle. You can't sit on your buttocks for at least 2 weeks, and the most serious risk is a fat embolism, which can be fatal. [1]
What the research says
Deep muscle injections drive the deadliest risk. A survey of 692 plastic surgeons covering 198,857 gluteal fat-grafting cases recorded 32 deaths and 103 non-fatal fat emboli. Surgeons who injected into deep muscle had a significantly higher rate of these events, and the authors advised against it. (Mofid et al., Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 2017)
Fat transfer has fewer complications than buttock implants. A systematic review of 44 studies found an overall complication rate of 9.9% in 3,567 fat-grafting patients versus 21.6% in 2,375 silicone-implant patients. (Sinno et al., Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2016)
Ultrasound-guided injection looks safer. A meta-analysis of 4 studies with 6,235 women reported no deaths and no fat embolisms when surgeons used ultrasound to keep fat above the muscle. Minor complications occurred in about 6.3 per 100 patients. (Milani Reis et al., Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 2025)
Key takeaways
A BBL is fat transfer, not a skin lift.
You need enough spare body fat to qualify.
Safe technique keeps fat in the layer under the skin and above the muscle.
Choose an experienced, qualified plastic surgeon and ask how many BBLs they have done.
Plan for weeks of no direct sitting and months of full healing.
Results usually last several years, sometimes more than a decade, if your weight stays stable.
What is a Brazilian butt lift?
A Brazilian butt lift is a two-part procedure in which liposuction removes fat from one or more areas of your body, and that fat is then purified and injected into your buttocks.
The result is a fuller, rounder, more balanced buttock shape. The areas where fat was removed also look smoother.
Despite the name, a BBL is not a true "lift." It does not tighten skin or remove sagging tissue the way a facelift or breast lift does. If loose or sagging skin is your main concern, a surgical buttock lift is a different procedure designed for that.
Other names you may see for the same surgery:
Name | What it means |
Brazilian butt lift (BBL) | The common, popular name |
Buttock augmentation with fat grafting | The medical description |
Safe subcutaneous buttock augmentation (SSBA) | Highlights injecting fat only under the skin, above the muscle |
Gluteal fat grafting | Term used in research papers |
BBLs are performed by plastic surgeons. In the United States, about 21,800 were reported in 2020, down from roughly 28,100 in 2019, likely because elective surgeries dropped during the COVID-19 pandemic. Between 2015 and 2019, yearly numbers nearly doubled.
Who is a good candidate for a Brazilian butt lift?
A good candidate for a Brazilian butt lift is at least 18 years old, in good overall health, has realistic expectations and has enough extra fat in other areas to transfer. A surgeon will look at both your physical and mental health before agreeing to operate.
You may be a candidate if you:
Are at least 18 years old and have finished physical development
Are in good overall health
Have realistic expectations about the result
Have enough extra fat in other areas to transfer
Some people finish puberty after age 18. If your body is still developing, your results may change.
If you don't have enough spare fat, your surgeon may discuss other options, such as buttock implants.
What questions might your surgeon ask before a BBL?
Expect an honest conversation about why you want surgery. Your surgeon may ask:
Why do you want a BBL, and what result are you hoping for?
Do you spend a lot of time worrying about small or imagined flaws in your body? (This can be a sign of body dysmorphic disorder.)
Is a partner, spouse, or friend pushing you to have it?
Do you understand the risks, including fat embolism?
You'll also review your medical history, allergies, and every medicine you take, including over-the-counter drugs and herbal supplements.
How is a Brazilian butt lift done?
A Brazilian butt lift is done by removing fat with liposuction, purifying it and injecting it into the layer just under the skin of the buttocks, above the muscle, usually under general anesthesia.
What happens before BBL surgery?
Your surgeon examines your body to choose the best places to take fat from. Common donor areas include:
Donor area | Location |
Lower back | Above the buttocks |
Hips / flanks | Sides of the waist |
Inner thighs | Between the legs |
Outer thighs | Sides of the upper legs |
Presacral triangle | The V-shaped area over the lower spine (sacrum), just above the buttock crease |
What happens during BBL surgery?
Most people receive general anesthesia, so you are asleep and feel no pain. If only a small amount of fat is moved, local anesthesia that numbs one area may be enough, and you stay awake.
The surgery follows these steps:
Small cuts are made near the fatty donor areas.
A thin steel tube called a cannula, attached to suction, is passed into the fat between the skin and muscle.
Fat is removed. A BBL usually needs about 300–500 cc per side (roughly 1⅓ to 2¼ cups).
The fat is purified to prepare it for transfer.
Three to five small cuts are made around the buttocks.
Fat is injected into the layer just under the skin (the subcutaneous tissue), not into the muscle. The upper buttock usually gets the most fat; the middle gets less.
All cuts are stitched closed.
What happens right after BBL surgery?
A compression garment is wrapped around the treated areas to limit bleeding.
You wake up in a recovery room, where staff monitor you for up to several hours.
You may feel groggy and sore.
You go home the same day once you're stable. Someone must drive you home and stay with you for at least the first 24 hours.
What is the Brazilian butt lift recovery timeline?
Brazilian butt lift recovery is mostly complete in 2–3 months and fully complete by about 6 months, with no sitting or lying on your buttocks for at least 2 weeks. Every body heals at its own pace, so always follow your surgeon's specific instructions.
Time after surgery | What to expect |
First few days | The most painful stretch. Swelling, bruising, mild bleeding from cuts, and fluid build-up are common. |
1–2 weeks | Pain eases. Stitches are removed and cuts are checked. You may wear a compression garment over liposuction areas; some people need a temporary drain. |
At least 2 weeks | No sitting or lying on your buttocks. Stand instead of sitting, and sleep on your stomach or side. |
10–14 days | Most people can return to work, depending on the job. A standing desk helps if you usually sit. |
Several weeks | Short periods of sitting on a special pressure-spreading pillow may be allowed. |
1 month | Avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activity until at least this point. |
About 8 weeks | You may be able to sit without the pillow and start light exercise. |
2–3 months | Most of your recovery is complete. |
Up to 6 months | Full recovery. Final shape becomes clear. |
How can you manage pain at home after a BBL?
Use the prescribed pain medicine or over-the-counter acetaminophen, as your surgeon advises.
Do not drive while taking prescription pain medicine. Have a friend or family member help you.
Tell your care team about any allergies and your full medical history.
How can you help your BBL results last?
During recovery and beyond, your surgeon may suggest:
A high-protein diet to support healing and help keep your new shape
Lower-body exercises that target the buttocks, such as leg lifts, lunges, and squats, once you're cleared
Keeping a steady weight, since big weight changes can alter results
When are follow-up visits after a BBL?
When | Purpose |
1–2 weeks | Stitch removal, wound check, decide if you can sit on the special pillow |
4–6 weeks | Progress check |
3 months | Overall result assessment |
What are the benefits of a Brazilian butt lift?
When done by a qualified, experienced plastic surgeon, a Brazilian butt lift can give natural-looking, long-lasting results with fewer complications than silicone buttock implants. It can also:
Look natural, because it uses your own tissue
Give long-lasting results
Carry fewer complications than silicone buttock implants
Make clothes fit better or more comfortably
Boost self-esteem for some people
What are the risks of a Brazilian butt lift?
The most serious risk of a Brazilian butt lift is a fat embolism, and other possible complications include bruising, infection, skin changes, swelling and poor wound healing.
What is a fat embolism after a BBL?
The buttocks contain large blood vessels and nerves. If the cannula damages a vessel, fat can enter the bloodstream and travel to the lungs. This is called a fat embolism, and it can cause serious injury or death. Learn more about fat embolism syndrome and how a blockage in the lungs, called a pulmonary embolism, affects breathing.
This is why safe technique focuses on keeping fat above the muscle, where large vessels are less likely to be hit.
What other complications can a BBL cause?
Complication | What it looks like |
Bruising | Purple or yellow skin discoloration around treated areas |
Infection | Redness, warmth, pain, pus, or fever (see cellulitis) |
Skin changes | Color changes or numbness / altered feeling |
Swelling | Puffiness that can last weeks |
Poor wound healing | Cuts that open, stay wet, or heal slowly |
How long does a Brazilian butt lift last?
Brazilian butt lift results are semi-permanent and often last several years, and they may last more than 10 years without extra treatment.
Aging and weight changes can affect your shape over time. Some people choose a second BBL later in life.
When should you call your surgeon after a Brazilian butt lift?
Call your surgeon after a Brazilian butt lift if you notice signs of infection, wounds that don't heal, worsening pain or swelling, or new numbness or skin color changes. Keep every scheduled follow-up visit.
Signs of infection, such as fever, spreading redness, or pus
Wounds that open or don't heal
Pain or swelling that gets worse instead of better
Any new numbness or skin color change
Seek emergency care immediately if you have sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, a fast heartbeat, or confusion after surgery. These can be signs of an embolism.
What questions should you ask your surgeon before a BBL?
Before a Brazilian butt lift, ask your surgeon about their experience, your alternatives, your recovery and how to keep your results. Bring this list to your consultation:
How many BBL procedures have you performed?
Could liposuction alone give me the look I want?
How should I manage swelling and pain?
Do I need to change my diet, and how many calories should I eat to keep my shape?
Which exercises will help maintain my results, and when can I start?
When can I return to normal activities?
Would a poly-L-lactic acid (Sculptra) buttock treatment suit me better?
Would silicone buttock implants be a better option for me?
Conclusion
A Brazilian butt lift reshapes the buttocks using your own fat, giving natural-looking results that can last for years. But it is real surgery with a real recovery: weeks of no direct sitting, months of healing, and a rare but life-threatening risk of fat embolism.
The safest path starts with honest expectations, good overall health, and a qualified plastic surgeon who injects fat only above the muscle. Take the questions above to your consultation and make your decision with full information.
Want more clear, doctor-reviewed health guides? Explore Rinnit.com and bookmark it for your next question. Planning surgery? Read our guide to anesthesia types, safety, and recovery before your appointment.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Brazilian butt lift the same as a butt lift?
No. A BBL adds volume using fat transfer. A traditional buttock lift removes loose skin to treat sagging. They solve different problems.
How long after a BBL can I sit down?
You should not sit or lie on your buttocks for at least 2 weeks. After several weeks, you may sit briefly on a special pillow. Most people can sit without the pillow at around 8 weeks.
How much fat is needed for a BBL?
Usually about 300–500 cc per buttock, roughly 1⅓ to 2¼ cups per side. You need enough spare fat elsewhere on your body to harvest this amount.
Can I get a BBL if I'm thin?
You may not have enough fat to transfer. In that case, your surgeon may discuss buttock implants or other options.
When can I go back to work after a BBL?
Most people return in 10–14 days, depending on their job. If you normally sit for long periods, use a standing desk until you've fully healed.
Is a BBL permanent?
It's semi-permanent. Results typically last years, sometimes more than a decade, but aging and weight changes can alter them.
What is the biggest danger of a BBL?
Fat embolism, when fat enters a large blood vessel and travels to the lungs. Research links this risk mainly to injecting fat into deep muscle, which is why safe technique keeps fat under the skin.
Is a BBL safer than buttock implants?
Studies show fat grafting has a lower overall complication rate than silicone implants (about 10% vs 22% in one large review). However, a BBL carries the rare risk of fat embolism, so surgeon skill and technique matter greatly.
What is the minimum age for a BBL?
You must be at least 18. Your body should also be fully developed, which can happen later for some people.
Do I need to exercise after a BBL?
Once cleared by your surgeon, lower-body exercises like leg lifts, lunges, and squats can help maintain your shape. Avoid heavy lifting for at least 1 month.
Related reading on Rinnit.com
Helpful external resources
References
Cleveland Clinic. Brazilian Butt Lift: What to Expect, Surgery, Recovery & Risks. Cleveland Clinic. Last updated June 19, 2022. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/23308-brazilian-butt-lift
Mofid MM, Teitelbaum S, Suissa D, et al. Report on Mortality from Gluteal Fat Grafting: Recommendations from the ASERF Task Force. Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2017;37(7):796-806. PMID: 28369293. https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sjx004
Sinno S, Chang JB, Brownstone ND, et al. Determining the Safety and Efficacy of Gluteal Augmentation: A Systematic Review of Outcomes and Complications. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2016;137(4):1151-1156. PMID: 27018670. https://doi.org/10.1097/PRS.0000000000002005
Milani Reis A, Roca Mora MM, Bicudo Bregion P, et al. Ultrasound-Guided Gluteal Fat Grafting: What is the Evidence? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2025;46(1):57-62. PMID: 40203280. https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sjaf059
Condé-Green A, Kotamarti V, Nini KT, et al. Fat Grafting for Gluteal Augmentation: A Systematic Review of the Literature and Meta-Analysis. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2016;138(3):437e-446e. PMID: 27556618. https://doi.org/10.1097/PRS.0000000000002435
Medical disclaimer
This article is for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always talk with a qualified plastic surgeon about whether a Brazilian butt lift is right for you, and seek emergency care right away for sudden shortness of breath or chest pain after surgery.
Comments