Before having a Brazilian butt lift (BBL), your surgeon will want to assess your health status and lifestyle habits to make sure you are healthy enough for the procedure. In addition to completing certain preoperative labs and tests, making healthy choices before surgery can help improve your recovery rate.
If you are nervous about undergoing BBL, knowing what to expect on the day of surgery will put your mind at ease and give you a chance to prepare. See what you can expect on the day of your surgery.
Jessica Olah / Polywell
Location
BBL is usually performed as an outpatient procedure, either under general anesthesia, intravenous sedation, and/or local anesthesia.,Once the surgery is complete, you may be asked to stay for a few hours in a waiting area before being released to your designated driver.
Due to the after effects of the drug, you will not be able to drive yourself home. A friend or family member will need to pick you up after the procedure.
If you don’t have other adults living with you or if you are responsible for caring for children at home, make sure you have someone available to help you for the next few days as you recover.
what to wear
Wear loose, comfortable clothing that is easy to put on and take off on the day of surgery. Your surgeon will likely give you specific instructions about what to wear. In general, it’s best to avoid:
- Deodorant
- Hair products
- Jewelry/piercings
- Makeup
- Perfume
- Sunscreen or lotion
You may also be advised to wash your body with antibacterial soap before going into surgery to reduce the risk of infection.
Food and beverage
Usually, it is best not to eat or drink after midnight on the day before your surgery. Because you will be put under anesthesia for the procedure, it is not safe to have food or liquid in your stomach. An empty stomach helps prevent serious complications such as nausea or aspiration (food or liquid in the lungs).
If you make a mistake and end up eating too close to the time of your scheduled BBL, don’t hesitate to let your surgeon know. Safety must remain the number one priority, even if it means delaying your process.
Your surgeon will give you specific instructions on when to stop eating depending on the details of your BBL. In general, solid foods, dairy products and alcoholic beverages should be avoided for at least eight hours before surgery.
Your healthcare provider may allow or even encourage clear fluids for up to two hours before your procedure to help you stay hydrated. Clear liquids include water, plain tea, Gatorade/Powerade, apple juice, cranberry juice, gelatin, and some ice cubes.
Always follow your surgeon’s instructions for food and drink restrictions before surgery. If you have any questions, please call the office to ask before getting anything to eat or drink. Otherwise, you risk reprogramming your operation.
Medicines
Medicines and supplements that thin your blood may need to be avoided before the procedure to prevent excessive bleeding.,These include:
- Aspirin
- Coumadin (warfarin)
- Fish oil supplements
- Garlic supplements
- Ibuprofen
- Plavix (clopidogrel)
- Ximlagatran
- Vitamin E supplements
Birth control pills and estrogen patches or creams can also lead to surgical complications. Avoid over-the-counter medications and nutritional supplements before your BBL to prevent potential problems.
Always tell your healthcare provider about any medications or supplements you are taking before surgery to avoid complications.
What should I bring?
Make sure you are on time for your surgery appointment and bring a form of identification and any required documents. Since you are not staying overnight, there is no need to pack a heavy bag.
You’ll want to leave valuables at home, such as computers, tablets, or jewelry. If you usually wear contacts, bring a pair of glasses.
Pack a charged cell phone and a soft pillow for the car ride home. Because you shouldn’t sit directly on your bottom for the first few weeks after BBL, ask your surgeon what kind of pillow you should get to drive comfortably and safely home in the car.,,
Lifestyle changes before the operation
Give your body a head start on recovery by adopting healthy lifestyle habits as you prepare for cosmetic surgery. Getting into a good routine before you finish work will help you stay on track throughout your process.
Excercise
A physically active lifestyle will benefit you both before and after surgery. Before even considering a BBL, it’s worth adopting a weight training routine that includes squats, lunges and deadlifts. These compound movements can help you build your rear naturally, potentially reducing your desire for surgery.
Nutrition
If you choose to go ahead with a BBL, make sure your body has the proper stores of nutrients needed for a quick recovery. Balanced eating habits that include all the major food groups will provide essential vitamins, minerals and protein to support wound healing.
Specific nutrients to focus on include:
- Protein: Eggs, meat, beans, nuts and dairy
- Vitamin C: Fruits and vegetables, such as strawberries and spinach
- Zinc: Whole grains, seafood and meat
For those with diabetes, controlling blood sugar levels is vital when preparing for surgery. High blood sugars impair wound healing and lead to a greater risk of infection. Be vigilant about monitoring your blood sugar and work with your healthcare provider to achieve tight glycemic control.
Smoking
Smoking cigarettes or using nicotine products reduces the recovery rate after surgery. Nicotine causes blood vessels to constrict, which reduces the blood supply to the new fat for the BBL. This can lead to a lower fat survival rate.
Although it is best to quit smoking as soon as possible, make every effort to quit smoking at least four weeks before the procedure. Nicotine and its byproducts can stay in the body for days or weeks. Therefore, quitting smoking the day before surgery may still cause the same complications as quitting smoking two weeks before. If you slip up and fall back into bad habits, it’s never too late to quit again.
Abstaining from smoking for even 24 hours before surgery improves your body’s ability to maintain oxygen levels under anesthesia better than if you continue to smoke until the last minute. Smoking puts you at higher risk of blood clots, pneumonia and infections.
Your upcoming BBL is a great excuse to do your body a favor by quitting smoking.
A word from Verywell
Although BBL is usually performed as an outpatient procedure, it is still a serious medical procedure. Following your surgeon’s recommendations before surgery will give you the best chance for a successful and speedy recovery.
The choices you make before a BBL can have a big impact on how well your body handles the process and how long it takes to start feeling like yourself again afterwards. Take the surgery as an impetus to adopt positive lifestyle changes that will benefit you throughout the journey.
