Brazilian Butt Lift (Fat Transfer to the Buttocks) in Santa Barbara, CA
A curvy, full backside can be an important part of a well-proportioned body. Some women experience flattening and drooping of the buttocks over time, and others have a genetic predisposition to a less curvy butt. If you want a more shapely figure, the Brazilian Butt Lift may be the right solution for you.
Using your own fat to fill in and lift your curves, Dr. Sara Yegiyants can help reshape the soft tissue of your buttocks. She is a triple board-certified plastic surgeon with an early academic career in art prior to her study of medicine and surgery. Alone or as part of a Mommy Makeover, your Brazilian Butt Lift can enhance the fullness of your bottom, and Dr. Yegiyants has helped hundreds of patients feel great about their bodies. Our boutique plastic surgery practice serves women in Santa Barbara and the surrounding areas.
Deciding If a Brazilian Butt Lift Is Right for You
Your natural body architecture, including your skeleton, muscles, and how your body stores fat, contribute to the shape of your buttocks. Even if you have a healthy lifestyle and have tried exercise to build up your gluteal region, you may still be unsatisfied with the flatness of your behind. There are a few options to enhance the size and shape of the butt.
During a Brazilian Butt Lift, also known as fat grafting to the buttocks, your surgeon will use liposuction to remove fat from other areas of your body, such as your abdomen, hips, lower back, or thighs. The fat will be processed and injected into the soft tissues of the buttocks and then shaped by Dr. Yegiyants to enhance your curves. This is an ideal procedure for people who have some excess fat in their bodies, as it has the added benefit of sculpting your overall shape while enhancing your buttocks.
What Will My Consultation Be Like?
In our boutique practice, you will meet with Dr. Yegiyants personally when you come in for your consultation. Upon physical examination, she can determine if you are a candidate for the Brazilian Butt Lift procedure. If you have pictures that demonstrate the contour or shape that you want for yourself, it can be helpful to bring this to your consultation to share with Dr. Yegiyants. You will also be able to let her know where you’d like to slim down through the liposuction portion of the procedure. During this consultation, she will extensively review your medical records and history, and discuss your ultimate goals for the surgery.
Dr. Yegiyants has advanced training in arts and aesthetics, and she will draw upon this background to study the natural shape of your body and make recommendations for the contouring of your buttocks and sites in your body where she will retrieve the fat for grafting. She will also take the time necessary to make sure she fully understands what you want for yourself and that you know what to expect throughout the process.
Schedule a Consultation
Ready to take the next steps towards booking a procedure? Schedule your consultation today to begin your aesthetic journey with Sara Yegiyants, MD, FACS.
How Is the Brazilian Butt Lift Performed?
There are several steps in the Brazilian Butt Lift procedure. After making markings that will help with the shaping and contouring of your body, Dr. Yegiyants will first perform liposuction from the “harvest sites” to remove excess fat. This will have the benefit of slimming down areas where you want excess fat removed. For many patients, this can result in a slimmer waist, lower back, hips, or thighs that will complement the new profile of the buttocks and further enhance your new shape.
The fat is then extracted and purified to ready it for transfer to your buttocks. Using multiple placements in different planes, Dr. Yegiyants will expertly inject your fat tissue to create a rounder butt. Because not all of the fat will remain in place, it is common to inject a bit more fat than needed during the procedure. Some of the fat cells will die after transplant, leaving the desired amount of fullness after the healing process.
What Can I Expect During Recovery and Beyond?
The Brazilian Butt Lift is performed as an outpatient procedure, so you should be able to go home on the same day as your surgery. Once you are home, the surgery requires some lifestyle modifications during the healing process. You will need to wear compression garments during the first couple of weeks for support and comfort and to minimize post-surgical swelling of liposuctioned areas. It is advised to prevent direct pressure over grafted areas for four weeks to maximize fat graft take. A special “booty pillow” can be used to sit on to prevent compressing the buttocks during the early phases of healing. Pain during healing is usually minimal, but Dr. Yegiyants will prescribe pain medication to enhance your comfort for the first few days. You will be able to get up and walk some during the first few days, but you should not plan to do much. It is important that you follow all post-operative instructions to maximize your healing and promote the best possible outcome.
Most patients return to work in 10-14 days. It will be about 8 weeks before you can resume normal sitting activities. After about 6 months, your final natural-looking results will be visible with swelling having subsided.
Your rounder, perkier bottom will last for years. The fat will not return to the areas where it was removed, and the fat that was transferred to your buttocks will remain in place indefinitely. However, significant fluctuations in your weight may affect your results, so it is best to maintain a stable weight after surgery.
Minimally Invasive Techniques for Brazilian Butt Lifts
For patients seeking a subtle enhancement without the downtime of traditional surgery, minimally invasive techniques for Brazilian Butt Lifts (BBL) offer an alternative approach. Advancements in aesthetic medicine now provide non-surgical and less invasive methods to improve the shape and contour of the buttocks with reduced recovery time.
One popular option is Sculptra® injections, a biocompatible filler that stimulates collagen production to enhance volume and firmness gradually. This method is ideal for patients with limited fat reserves who still desire a fuller, more youthful appearance.
For those who want a less invasive approach but still wish to benefit from fat transfer, some surgeons offer micro-fat grafting. This technique involves transferring smaller amounts of fat with precision, reducing the need for extensive liposuction while still achieving natural enhancement. This method is especially beneficial for patients who want a modest volume increase with a quicker recovery.
Brazilian Butt Lift FAQs
A Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) enhances the shape and size of the buttocks using fat transfer, while buttock implants involve the surgical placement of silicone implants. A BBL provides a more natural look and feel since it uses your body’s own fat, whereas implants can be a better option for those who do not have enough excess fat for transfer.
Most patients achieve the best results with a BMI between 22 and 30, but candidacy is determined by overall health and the availability of fat for transfer. Patients with a lower BMI may still be candidates if they have sufficient fat reserves, while those with a higher BMI may need weight management guidance to optimize their results.
Yes, many patients choose to combine a BBL with procedures like liposuction, a tummy tuck, or breast enhancement for a more comprehensive body contouring transformation. During your consultation, Dr. Yegiyants will discuss your aesthetic goals and determine the best combination of procedures to achieve them safely.
BBL results are long-lasting, but they require maintaining a stable weight and healthy lifestyle. Initially, some transferred fat will naturally be reabsorbed by the body, but the fat that survives will remain permanently. Significant weight fluctuations can impact results, so maintaining a stable weight is key.
Minimally invasive BBL techniques, such as Sculptra®® injections or micro-fat grafting, can provide subtle enhancement but may not achieve the same dramatic volume increase as a traditional BBL. These methods are ideal for patients who want a modest improvement or those who do not have enough fat for traditional fat grafting.
Patients should avoid sleeping on their back for at least two weeks after surgery. Sleeping on your stomach or side is recommended to prevent pressure on the newly transferred fat. Using body pillows for support can help maintain a comfortable sleeping position.
A nutrient-rich diet with healthy fats, lean protein, and plenty of hydration is essential for fat survival. Foods like avocados, nuts, eggs, and fatty fish provide essential nutrients that support healing and improve fat retention. Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, as they can negatively impact circulation and fat survival.
While initial swelling subsides within a few weeks, the final results of a BBL typically become apparent around three to six months after surgery. This allows time for the transferred fat to settle and integrate naturally into the body.