Maintaining Your Brazilian Butt Lift: Understanding and Preventing BBL Shrinking
At last, you treated yourself to that gorgeous BBL! Hello, coke-bottle silhouette and supermodel confidence.
As your body adjusts to its new shape, your results will ebb and flow through different phases; one of those is BBL shrinking. But before you panic about losing your new derrière, remember that this is a normal part of the process.
After performing thousands of BBLs here at Dr. Cat Plastic Surgery, we know every detail of this procedure intimately. It’s common for patients to think that once you’re out of the O.R., your dream look is complete, but there’s a bit more to it than that.
The truth is, the surgery is just the beginning of your transformation. As you transition into healing, you’ll find this chapter is full of unique milestones and shifts. This includes the initial swelling and then gradual settling of your new curves.
Ready for a closer look at the road that leads to your final Brazilian Butt Lift results? Keep reading.
Post-BBL Shrinking: What It Is and Why It Happens
To understand why BBL shrinking happens, we first have to understand the many layers of your procedure.
A Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) is a surgical procedure in which your provider transfers fat from one or more parts of the body to the buttocks. This enhances your curves by adding volume and projection to your backside while simultaneously reducing fat in any areas of concern.
The fat transfer process uses liposuction to extract fat from specific trouble spots, such as your arms, stomach, waist, back, or legs. Your surgeon then liquefies and sterilizes these harvested fat cells before injecting them into your booty.
This is where post-BBL fat absorption comes into play. After surgery, your body will likely reabsorb some of the transferred fat cells. This reabsorption is what leads to some initial shrinkage in your BBL results.
The surviving fat (about 60-80%) will successfully establish a blood supply in their new location and contribute to your booty’s new plumpness.
The good news is that once you’re past the initial absorption phase (usually around 3-6 months post-op), the remaining fat cells are here to stay.
But are there other factors that can influence fat transfer longevity? It’s possible.
Factors that Contribute to BBL Shrinking
Many factors can play into how long your Brazilian Butt Lift results last. Here are a few other culprits for post-op shrinkage:
Post-operative care
The weeks following your BBL are critical. Proper post-op care, like avoiding sitting directly on your buttocks and following your surgeon’s recovery plan, can significantly affect the survival rate of the transferred fat cells.
Poor lifestyle choices
Regular exercise post-BBL, particularly strength training for your lower body, can help maintain your gorgeous results. However, excessive cardio or drastic weight changes can negatively impact the longevity of your BBL.
Diet and nutrition
A healthy diet after your Brazilian Butt Lift is key to preserving your new figure. Poor nutrition, on the other hand, can alter your final BBL outcome by increasing or decreasing fat volume in your backside.
Natural aging
As we age, our body’s fat distribution naturally changes. Over time, this can affect the appearance of your BBL, even if the fat cells remain intact.
Genetics and body type
Your genetic makeup and natural body type also play a role in how your body retains the transferred fat, as well as how it ages over time.
Hormonal changes and pregnancy
Hormonal fluctuations, like those during pregnancy or menopause, can alter fat distribution and affect your BBL results.
Quality of fat transfer
Your provider’s technique and the quality of the fat transferred play pivotal roles in your surgery. Experienced surgeons like Dr. Cat Huang-Begovic are versed in maximizing the survival rate of transferred fat cells.
Smoking and alcohol consumption
Smoking can impair healing and fat cell survival. Similarly, excessive alcohol consumption can also have adverse effects on your final outcome.
Fortunately, maintaining BBL volume and that stunning new silhouette is well within your control!
Post-BBL Care Tips
Like any plastic surgery, a BBL is about so much more than physical change. It’s about how you feel when you look in the mirror and each time you step out to face the world.
But getting there is no small decision — it takes thoughtful consideration, research and preparation, financial planning, and continued care.
The last thing we’d ever want is for anything to compromise your beautiful results and the incredible confidence they’ve given you. So, here are some essential post-BBL care tips to put into practice:
Set realistic expectations
It’s easy for social media to skew perceptions of what your Brazilian Butt Lift results will actually look like. Remember, these images only highlight the exceptional rather than the typical. Make sure you understand what’s realistically achievable to prevent dissatisfaction with your final look.
Communicate honestly with your surgeon
Your surgeon will paint you a clear picture of everything you need to know before surgery. Be open with them to ensure you’re well-prepared and ready for each phase of your transformation.
Adhere strictly to your post-op guidelines
As discussed earlier, adhering to your provider’s pre- and post-op guidelines is crucial to maintain your surgical results. This includes not sitting or sleeping directly on your buttocks, using special cushions, and wearing compression garments as advised.
Maintain a stable weight
Fluctuations in weight can affect your BBL results, as the transferred fat is subject to volume loss and gain once it establishes a blood supply. Maintain weight stability after BBL surgery to preserve your rejuvenated shape and desired volume.
Follow a balanced diet and workout routine
Focus on a balanced diet after Brazilian Butt Lift surgery — one that’s rich in healthy fats and nutrients to support fat transfer survival. Combine this with BBL-friendly workouts to keep your results in tip-top shape.
And if you still find your BBL shrinking?…
Consider non-surgical BBL touch-up options
For minor adjustments or to counteract shrinking, non-surgical touch-ups (like fillers, injections, or squats) may be a potential avenue worth exploring.
Take advantage of support resources
If you’re struggling with the emotions after your plastic surgery, you’re not alone. Seek out forums or online support groups for emotional counsel and guidance.
Consider revision surgery
If you’re unhappy with your body contouring results, all is not lost. As a revision specialist, Dr. Cat is passionate about turning past disappointments into redeeming success stories.
<Insert: Real patient experiences with BBL shrinking and how they managed the issue (anonymized for privacy)>
Dr. Cat Plastic Surgery: Confidence That’s Always Full-Volume
Listen, we get it — the thought of your BBL shrinking is a scary one. After all, you didn’t come this far just to watch your hard-earned results slowly slip away.
With these insights in hand, you can move forward in your transformation with confidence and clarity. Results that fall flat and leave you feeling more insecure than before? Not on our watch.
Entrust your BBL to a surgeon who’s fully dedicated to ensuring your transformation isn’t just a fleeting change but a lasting enhancement to your self-esteem and appearance.
