This essay is based on a discussion with Dr. John Paul Tutela, a 43-year-old plastic surgeon in Livingston, New Jersey, about performing butt lift procedures in Brazil. Edited for length and clarity.
I started my practice in 2014 and although I offer many different procedures, the Brazilian butt lift continues to be one of the most popular surgeries my clients come to.
My father was a plastic surgeon, so I thought that one day I would grow up and have the same career. As I learned more about it, I realized it was the perfect job for me since I’ve always loved working with my hands and solving problems.
Being a plastic surgeon means you can do both cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. You get to help two different populations of people and work with patients from head to toe, while most other surgeons just specialize in one area of the body.
I began offering the BBL procedure as soon as I opened my practice and it continues to grow in popularity. My billing starts at about $18,000 and I do about one of these a week.
BBL surgery is not dangerous
There are many articles that say it is unsafe and has a fatality rate associated with it, but the fatalities occur because many people performing the procedure are not properly trained. I was trained to do this safely at my residence. I also attend annual courses and workshops to continually improve my skills.
Getting a Brazilian butt lift requires fairly aggressive liposuction to help shape the body. The procedure takes from three to five hours.
We usually perform liposuction on the patient’s sides, middle, or lower and upper back, then inject the fat downwards from the hips and buttocks. At the end, we remove fat from any area the patient wants fat reduction. The combination of taking in the waist and then bringing the hips out a bit creates an hourglass shape.
Who should undergo BBL surgery?
The popularity of BBLs increased due to trends. It seemed that in the mid-2010s, thanks to supermodels and Hollywood stars like Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez, more curves caught the public’s attention and became what women wanted for their bodies.
Even now, it’s still quite popular and I don’t think it’s a trend that’s going anywhere. My clients are all different types of people. I performed this surgery on a woman who worked in an office and wanted to feel more confident as she led meetings every day. I have also done the procedure for a housewife who had it as part of her post-baby mom makeover.
I find myself doing almost twice as many of these surgeries now as I did in 2014, but I get a BBL , . First and foremost, you must be healthy and have no medical comorbidities that make going under general anesthesia a big risk.
Studies have shown that people with a BMI over 30 could have increased complications during surgery. Since an increased BMI decreases wound healing and increases the risk of blood clots, I would recommend that people in this range avoid having an elective surgery like this, or consider having it once they lose weight — I’ll often turn them away.
On the other hand are people who are too thin and don’t have enough body fat to have this surgery. Since a large part of the procedure is liposuction to use this fat to enhance the buttock area, if there is not enough fat the results may not look good. I would never tell this class of people to gain weight for surgery, I would just recommend that they not do it.
How much does a Brazilian butt lift cost?
BBL is an elective and cosmetic surgery, so it is not covered by insurance. Things like the surgeon’s expertise and location (it may be less expensive in more rural areas where there is less demand) can play a role. On average, the procedure can cost between $10,000 and $25,000.
What is the recovery time for a Brazilian butt lift?
In the first week after surgery, you are likely to feel some pain and discomfort in your lower body, but you will not be bedridden by it. I instruct my patients to get around and walk at least 10 to 15 times a day to help prevent blood clots. I tell people that during this first week, no one should count on you for anything. Also, for two weeks, I instruct patients not to sit or lie on their backs.
During recovery, if a patient sits or squeezes this area, it tends to survive less of the fat, so it could deflate or cause hard lumps. After those first two weeks, I tell my patients to follow a limited sitting protocol for the next two weeks and wear a garment around the area that provides compression to help with swelling. Other than that, there is minimal recovery that could be needed and a patient can return to their normal activities.
Some of the risks may include; fat embolism, that is, when fat particles block the flow of blood in the bloodstream — is very rare. I have had zero cases and am always protected from it. You may also have contour irregularities, which are the most common but can be corrected with touch-up surgery.
The result of this procedure should last for several years or decades, without any additional treatment. However, body changes that occur with aging and any weight gain or loss could affect the results over time. I had repeat customers. You don’t know what the results will look like until it’s all over.
What should I do if I want BBL surgery?
Make sure they are certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery and not just by certification, which can be unclear. Over the years, other tables have emerged that may mislead you into thinking that the surgeon you go with is as skilled as you would like them to be.
Also, it’s important to go see the surgeon, see how you feel, and ask questions like, “What complications have patients had in the past?” All of this is important because if a surgeon makes you feel great but is not good at what they do, they are not the right person to choose.
