30 years ago, before Kim Kardashian brought the Brazilian butt lift into our common consciousness in the US, it was described in a plastic surgery journal by a Venezuelan surgeon. The procedure was developed at a time when plastic surgeons were just beginning to understand how to effectively transfer fat from one area of the body to another. As the name implies, the Brazilian butt lift was popularized in Brazil before gaining a foothold here. The basic concept of the surgery is very intuitive. It removes fat from areas where you don’t want it, and puts it in areas where you do want it. The result is a more shapely buttock.
To learn more about the butt lift, and whether it is right for you, schedule a consultation with Dr. Nagarkar. He will have a comprehensive discussion with you about your goals, and customize a surgical plan for your particular case.
How is the procedure performed?
In a butt lift procedure, liposuction is performed first to remove fat from areas that you want to reduce. These are usually the flanks or love handles, the upper and lower back, the abdomen, and the inner thighs. The fat that has been removed is specially treated and washed. Then it is carefully and gradually injected into specific areas of the buttocks. This reshapes and sculpts the buttocks from the inside out. Pre-operative planning is critical to very specifically mark out the areas that will be injected. The goal isn’t simply to make your buttocks larger, but rather more shapely and aesthetic.
The concept of this surgery is very intuitive. Most patients have probably thought of this general idea without ever having read about it. What could be more simple than removing fat from one area and putting it in another? Well, the devil’s always in the details. There are a couple of critical points to this surgery that I think are important in my planning. First, liposuction only removes fat, but cannot remove excess skin. So, I have to figure out how much fat can be removed without doing something about the skin. Sometimes another procedure (such as a tummy tuck) may be required to remove excess skin. The second point is that the goal contour of your buttock has to be very carefully planned to make sure that the fat is placed into the ideal areas.
Who is a good candidate for a butt lift:
Most patients without any major medical problems can be good candidates for a butt lift. The best candidates are patients who have excellent skin tone, and isolated fat deposits in specific spots in the body. Alternatively, patients who plan to undergo a tummy tuck can also be excellent candidates, as much of the fat from the abdominal tissues can be used to perform the butt lift.
How to prepare for surgery:
Dr. Nagarkar will let you know if any laboratory tests are required before your surgery date. If you are a smoker, you must completely stop smoking and refrain from any nicotine-containing smoking cessation aids (such as patches or gums) for 6 weeks before and after surgery. This is critical as smoking increases the risk of significant complications. Finally, you will discuss with Dr. Nagarkar which medications and supplements you should stop taking before surgery, and which ones you can continue. It is very important to provide complete information to prevent any post-operative problems. You will get detailed written instructions for pre- and post-operative care. In addition, you will receive any postoperative prescriptions you might need so that you can have them filled by your pharmacy in advance.
What to expect on the day of surgery:
Butt lift procedures vary in length based on the amount of fat to be transferred, and whether other procedures are being performed at the same time. You should plan on having nothing to eat or drink after midnight the night before surgery. Sometimes, patients stay overnight at the hospital for observation depending on the exact procedure performed. You will need to have someone drive you to and from the surgery, and to help around the house for a few days while you get your energy back.
What to expect after surgery:
Results
Results from a butt lift are somewhat fluid for the first several months. On the operating room table Dr. Nagarkar will aim for the ideal end result. However, in the first 24 to 48 hours after surgery, significant swelling occurs that resolves slowly over the course of a few months. In addition, some of the fat that is injected will be absorbed and removed by the body. So generally, it will be several months before your final result is visible to you.
The first few days
The first night after surgery, it is critical that you are up and out of bed and walking, to reduce the risk of forming blood clots in your legs. It is also important that you keep pressure off your buttocks – this means avoiding sitting directly on the buttocks, and lying on your side or your stomach instead of your back while in bed. Dr. Nagarkar will call you the day after you go home to check in with you and to answer any questions you might have.
Pain
The aftermath of a butt lift feels a bit like you were the punching bag for a particularly vigorous kickboxing class. You will be sore in all the areas where liposuction was performed, but rest, and anti-inflammatory over the counter medications like Tylenol and Ibuprofen, are often adequate. Narcotics are usually not required at all.
Incision care
Butt lift incisions are quite small, and will be closed with absorbable sutures. For the first few days after surgery, you may have a bit of saline ooze out from the incisions. This is completely normal and expected. You can generally start showering two days after surgery, although bathing, swimming, or getting in a jacuzzi should not be done until at least 3 weeks after surgery. We will provide you with a special garment with foam inserts that compresses the areas where liposuction was performed. This helps maintain their shape. You should wear this garment night and day for the first 2 weeks after surgery, and then at night for the next 2 weeks.
Drains
Most patients do not require surgical drains.
Diet
You can return to your regular diet after surgery, but for the first day or two, stick with lighter meals. Anesthesia can sometimes make your digestive system a bit sensitive, and having a double cheeseburger the evening after surgery is not recommended. You should refrain from high-sodium foods because these will prolong the time required for your swelling to resolve.
Work
Most patients will require a week or two off work, mostly because of the restrictions on sitting.
Activities
You will be able to go back to non-strenuous activities such as walking, using a computer, writing, and so on, immediately after surgery. You should avoid putting pressure on your buttocks (by sitting or lying on your back) for the first two weeks after surgery.
Driving
You can resume driving once you are no longer taking narcotic medications, and when you feel that you are in full control of your car. This often takes a week or two.
Exercise
Aerobic exercise such as yoga, running, cycling, barre, etc., must be stopped for 3 weeks to allow the skin to heal.
Follow-up visits
You will see Dr. Nagarkar in the office usually 7 – 10 days after surgery to examine the incisions and ensure that you are healing appropriately. We will see you again at the 4-6 week mark at which time Dr. Nagarkar may clear you from any activity restrictions if you are healing appropriately. Finally you will have appointments around 3 months, 6 months and 1 year after surgery.
To meet Dr. Nagarkar in person, schedule your consultation or call us.