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POSTED: 25 Jul 2023
Is the Brazilian Butt Lift Really the World’s Most Deadly Cosmetic Surgery and What Are the Alternatives?
Butt Lift (BBL) has become a byword for body sculpting in recent years. BBL surgery is extremely common because it can enhance the size, and shape of the buttocks. However, it also a as one of the world’s most dangerous cosmetic treatments. In this post we take a deep dive into what a BBL is and how it works. We look at how it is and the very real risks . We also look at where it stands in the UK. Then we it with a wide range of and non-surgical options.
What Are the Origins of the Brazilian Butt Lift?
The Brazilian Butt Lift is thought to have been pioneered by the Brazilian . Dr was a leader in and reconstructive surgery. He gained fame in the mid 20th for his new . He is also thought to have established Brazil as a surgery destination. For his part, Dr believed in enhancing the body for self-esteem and well-being. This formed the behind his work, the BBL. The procedure helps people achieve a shape by moving their own body fat.
What Is BBL Surgery?
BBL is a procedure to the size and shape of the buttocks. It involves taking excess fat from parts of the body, such as the belly, thighs or hips, using liposuction. is done with a small, thin tube called a cannula. The surgeon this through tiny cuts in the skin. They then move it back and forth to break up the fat cells, which are out of the body. The fat is spun in a centrifuge, purified and injected back into the to their size and shape. This all happens in one procedure.
Does a BBL Work?
A Brazilian Butt Lift can be a highly effective way to the size and contour of the . It is a good option for people looking for a significant change in their silhouette. The procedure works by taking fat from areas where it is not wanted and it into the buttocks. This can slim those areas and create a more curvaceous, look. Because the fat is your own, the result is very . People who are happy with their results often report a boost in self-confidence afterwards.
However, this is a major operation. The recovery period typically lasts between 2 to 3 weeks, but it can be longer. During this time your mobility may be and you may have drains or . The final can take several months to fully show. Results also vary with body type, health status and the surgeon’s technical expertise. A BBL is also not . It does not prevent future weight changes or ageing from the shape of the body. As such, you will need a stable weight and a healthy to keep the for as long as possible.
Why Is BBL Surgery So Dangerous?
A Butt Lift comes with significant risks. According to a 2019 report by the American Society of Surgeons, BBL has a . That makes it the most fatal of all cosmetic procedures. The agrees that it has the highest death rate of any . The main cause is the risk of fat embolism. This is where fat enters the bloodstream and to the lungs or brain. A fat embolism in the lungs (a embolism) can be fatal. The risk of death from a BBL is thought to be than for many other procedures.
Beyond this, other risks include infection, bleeding, numbness, scars and uneven results. There can also be changes in skin . If the is not done correctly, the injected fat can cause lumps or . Another factor is fat absorption. The body naturally reabsorbs some of the transferred fat after surgery, which can lead to disappointing results. Studies suggest that around 40% of the fat may be reabsorbed within the first few months.
If you are considering BBL surgery, you need to take these risks very seriously. Whilst there is no way to remove them completely, you can reduce them. The single best way to do that is to choose a highly experienced, qualified and properly surgeon.
Is BBL Surgery Banned or Regulated in the UK?
BBL is not banned in the UK, but it is treated with real caution. After a series of deaths, the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic (BAAPS) . The advice stood for several years while the treatment was review. In 2022 it issued a safer technique called gluteal lipofilling. Here the fat is injected only just under the skin, rather than deep into the muscle. The advise to surgeons is to use ultrasound guidance to keep the needle in the correct layer.
One unintended effect of this is that many people now travel abroad for cheaper surgery. Overseas, BBLs can cost far less than in the UK. The NHS has warned about these "bargain basement" and is often left to treat the complications when people return home. It is also worth knowing about non-surgical "liquid BBLs", which use . These are currently unregulated in the UK and can be just as if performed badly. The safest path, if you are set on the treatment, is to find a UK working in a .
What Are the Alternatives to BBL?
Before having any procedure, and especially one that carries major risk, it is important to consider all your options. There is a broad range of options to BBL surgery, which fall into two groups. can dramatic, results but longer and greater cost. Non-surgical are less invasive and carry fewer risks, but they give more modest, temporary results that need regular maintenance.
What Are the Surgical Alternatives to BBL?
like buttock implants and a lower body lift offer results and, like a BBL, can be . They may also carry fewer serious risks than a BBL, though they have longer recovery and higher costs.
This silicone implants into the buttocks. Although implants carry a lower mortality risk than the fat transfer of a BBL, they are not risk free. Because an is a body, there is a higher risk of . There is also a risk of extrusion, nerve damage, and displacement. Recovery lasts 2 to 4 weeks on average, and you may have drains and compression garments during that time. The results are immediate, but you will not see the final until the swelling and bruising settle. Implants are long lasting rather than permanent, and you usually need to replace them every 10 years. Even so, they may suit you better if you want to avoid the risks of a BBL. This is particularly true if you do not have much excess body fat but want a more pronounced .
This treatment removes excess skin and tissue from the buttocks, abdomen, waist, hips and thighs. It can reshape the entire lower body, but it is very invasive. The main risks include infection, haematoma, scarring and slow or wound healing. Recovery takes around 2 to 4 weeks and will require drains and compression . Because it is so extensive, and because it does not add volume to the buttocks, it is usually best for people with a lot of excess or sagging skin. A good example is people who have had massive weight loss. The results can be quite dramatic.
is a good option if you want to the of your thighs and buttocks without adding volume. It removes fat from areas to the buttocks. This can give the of a more prominent shape, without the fat transfer that makes up the second step of a BBL. The is similar to a BBL, and so are some of the risks. These include fat embolism, infection, bleeding, contour irregularities and changes in skin sensation. Liposuction does not tighten loose skin. So if you have poor skin elasticity, you might need other treatments like to address that.
What Are the Non-Surgical Alternatives to BBL?
There are several non-surgical options to BBL surgery, including the Butt Lift, dermal fillers, 3D-Lipo, EMSCULPT and CoolTone. These are less invasive, carry fewer risks and have shorter recovery times. However, they more modest results, are temporary and need regular maintenance.
The Sculptra Butt Lift involves injecting Sculptra, a poly-L-lactic acid filler, to enhance the shape and volume of the buttocks. It is a quick, minimally procedure that needs little to no downtime, and the results can last up to two years. It does come with its own risks. One of the most common side effects is the development of small bumps under the skin, known as nodules. These are usually painless and may not be visible, but you can often feel them. They can form a few weeks to a few months after the . Other possible side effects include redness, swelling, pain, bruising, itching or discolouration at the site, which are usually temporary.
In rare cases more serious can occur, such as allergic reactions, or a granuloma (a type of inflammatory lump). There is also a possible risk of whenever you inject any type of filler into the body. This can the blood supply and cause skin necrosis, or form an that up into the body. This can be life-threatening. Sculptra is not dissolvable. So if you do not like the result or have a severe side effect, you may have to wait for it to wear off, or even need to remove it.
Like Sculptra, dermal add volume and can lift the . have little to no downtime and can give immediate results. However, they usually need multiple sessions, and the results are temporary, typically 6 to 12 months depending on the filler. Hyaluronic acid and are the two most common for this purpose:
Common side effects of both include swelling, bruising, and pain at the injection site, which usually within a few days. There is also a risk of nodules or lumps under the skin. As with Sculptra, more serious risks include and allergic reactions. There is also the chance of a filler compressing a blood vessel or causing an embolus, which can lead to tissue necrosis or even be fatal.
Often called non-surgical liposuction, 3D-Lipo combines several fat (cryolipolysis), ultrasound and skin . Although its main use is to reduce areas of excess fat, it can also work for butt and . It does this by selectively fat from around the to give a more sculpted, lifted . The begins with cryolipolysis, which cools fat cells to that their death without affecting surrounding tissue. Next, ultrasound cavitation uses low-frequency waves to rupture the fat cell so the body can remove their contents naturally. The final step is radiofrequency skin tightening, which heats the deeper skin layers to boost collagen and and the skin.
3D-Lipo is a good option to because it has downtime, lower risks and does not need . The plan is also easy to tailor to your needs. It is probably best for people with of fat around the buttocks, so there is enough for contouring. It is not without risks, though. Some people feel during or after the . Skin and are common too, but usually settle within hours or days. There is also a risk of uneven fat removal leading to contours, and numbness from the effect. Although rare, there is a small risk of burns from the and ultrasound.
EMSCULPT and work by stimulating the to provide definition and lift, without any fat transfer or removal. The way works is by using focused to strong muscle that you could not achieve through ordinary exercise. The muscle responds by remodelling its inner structure, which builds and sculpts it. When used on the buttocks, it lifts and firms the . It is often as being like doing thousands of squats in one session. CoolTone is very similar but uses magnetic muscle to reach the muscle layer through the skin and fat. Both are with no downtime. However, they can cause muscle pain similar to an intense workout, and both need multiple sessions to see results.
It is important to note that EMSCULPT and enhance the buttocks by increasing muscle mass. They do not add volume the way a traditional BBL or dermal fillers do. Nor can they achieve the contour that surgery and 3D-Lipo can. The right choice between all these treatments will always depend on your goals and body type.
As you can see, there is a vast array of options to contour your lower body and enhance your . Whilst BBL surgery has extremely serious risks, the options carry risks and side too. If you are thinking about a BBL or one of its options, weigh it up . Consider the risks, your body type, your health and your goals. Always consult a qualified, experienced who can help you choose the safest option and get the best result. In the UK that means a surgeon working in a regulated facility. It is also worth being very cautious about abroad or liquid BBLs. The NHS and BAAPS have repeatedly warned about both.
City Skin Clinic is an online skin and hair clinic. This means we do not offer BBL surgery, liposuction, butt lifts or any other body or surgical . What our do offer is custom skincare for , , and . If one of those is on your mind, you can use our or . The towards great skin .
This article is for general purposes only and is not a for advice, diagnosis or . Always a professional with any concerns about your skin or options.
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