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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?
The Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) has become a byword for body in recent years. BBL surgery is extremely common because it can enhance the size, and shape of the buttocks. However, it also carries a as one of the world’s most cosmetic . 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 involved. We also look at where it stands in the UK. Then we it with a wide range of surgical and .
What Are the Origins of the Brazilian Butt Lift?
The Butt Lift is thought to have been pioneered by the surgeon . Dr was a leader in plastic and reconstructive surgery. He gained fame in the mid 20th for his new . He is also thought to have established Brazil as a cosmetic surgery destination. For his part, Dr Pitanguy believed in enhancing the body for and well-being. This formed the philosophy behind his work, the BBL. The procedure helps people achieve a curvier shape by moving their own body fat.
What Is BBL Surgery?
BBL surgery is a body-contouring to enhance 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 inserts 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 buttocks to enhance their size and shape. This all happens in one surgical procedure.
Does a BBL Work?
A Butt Lift can be a highly effective way to augment the size and of the buttocks. 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 injecting it into the . This can slim those areas and create a more curvaceous, look. Because the fat is your own, the result is very bespoke. People who are happy with their results often report a boost in afterwards.
However, this is a major . The recovery period typically lasts between 2 to 3 weeks, but it can be longer. During this time your mobility may be limited and you may have drains or compression garments. The final outcome can take several months to fully show. Results also vary with body type, health status and the surgeon’s technical . A BBL is also not permanent. 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 lifestyle to keep the effects for as long as possible.
Why Is BBL Surgery So Dangerous?
A Brazilian Butt Lift comes with significant risks. According to a 2019 report by the of Plastic Surgeons, BBL has a mortality . That makes it the most fatal of all 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 and to the lungs or brain. A fat embolism in the lungs (a pulmonary 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 sensation. If the treatment is not done correctly, the injected fat can cause lumps or asymmetry. Another factor is fat . The body naturally reabsorbs some of the transferred fat after surgery, which can lead to disappointing results. suggest that around 40% of the transferred 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 surgeon.
Is BBL Surgery Banned or Regulated in the UK?
BBL is not banned in the UK, but it is with real . After a series of deaths, the of Aesthetic Plastic (BAAPS) . The advice stood for several years while the treatment was undergoing review. In 2022 it issued a safer technique called gluteal lipofilling. Here the fat is only just under the skin, rather than deep into the muscle. The advise to surgeons is to use ultrasound to keep the needle in the layer.
One unintended effect of this caution is that many people now travel abroad for cheaper . Overseas, BBLs can cost far less than in the UK. The NHS has warned about these “bargain basement” procedures and is often left to treat the complications when people return home. It is also worth about non-surgical “liquid BBLs”, which use . These are currently unregulated in the UK and can be just as dangerous if performed badly. The safest path, if you are set on the treatment, is to find a qualified UK working in a regulated .
What Are the Alternatives to BBL?
Before having any procedure, and especially one that carries major risk, it is important to consider all your . There is a broad range of options to BBL surgery, which fall into two groups. Surgical options can dramatic, results but longer recovery and greater cost. options are less and carry fewer risks, but they give more modest, temporary results that need regular maintenance.
What Are the Surgical Alternatives to BBL?
Surgical options like implants and a lower body lift offer long-term results and, like a BBL, can be . They may also carry fewer serious risks than a BBL, though they have longer and higher costs.
This treatment inserting into the . Although implants carry a lower risk than the fat of a BBL, they are not risk free. Because an implant is a foreign body, there is a higher risk of . There is also a risk of extrusion, nerve damage, scarring and . lasts 2 to 4 weeks on average, and you may have drains and garments during that time. The results are immediate, but you will not see the final until the swelling and bruising settle. are long 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 enhancement.
This 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, 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 weight loss. The results can be quite dramatic.
Liposuction is a good option if you want to the contours of your thighs and buttocks without adding volume. It removes fat from specific 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 downtime is similar to a BBL, and so are some of the risks. These include fat embolism, infection, bleeding, contour irregularities and changes in skin . does not tighten loose skin. So if you have poor skin elasticity, you might need other like to address that.
What Are the Non-Surgical Alternatives to BBL?
There are several options to BBL surgery, the Butt Lift, dermal fillers, 3D-Lipo, and . These are less invasive, carry fewer risks and have recovery times. However, they produce more modest results, are temporary and need regular .
The Butt Lift injecting Sculptra, a poly-L-lactic acid filler, to the shape and volume of the . 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 include redness, swelling, pain, bruising, or discolouration at the injection site, which are usually .
In rare cases more serious complications can occur, such as allergic reactions, or a (a type of inflammatory lump). There is also a possible risk of whenever you inject any type of filler into the body. This can compromise the blood supply and cause skin necrosis, or form an embolus that travels up into the body. This can be . 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 surgery to remove it.
Like Sculptra, dermal fillers add volume and can lift the buttocks. have little to no downtime and can give immediate results. However, they usually need multiple sessions, and the results are temporary, typically lasting 6 to 12 months on the filler. acid fillers and Radiesse are the two most common for this purpose:
Common side effects of both include swelling, bruising, and pain at the site, which usually resolve within a few days. There is also a risk of or lumps under the skin. As with Sculptra, more serious risks include infection and allergic . 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 processes Fat (https://beautyboxbychristine.co.uk) (cryolipolysis), ultrasound and skin tightening. Although its main use is to reduce areas of excess fat, it can also work for butt and contouring. It does this by fat from around the buttocks to give a more sculpted, lifted . The begins with cryolipolysis, which cools fat cells to temperatures that their death without affecting surrounding tissue. Next, ultrasound cavitation uses waves to the fat cell membranes so the body can remove their contents . The final step is skin tightening, which heats the deeper skin layers to boost collagen and elastin and the skin.
3D-Lipo is a good option to because it has downtime, lower risks and does not need anaesthesia. The plan is also easy to tailor to your needs. It is probably best for people with reasonable amounts of fat around the buttocks, so there is enough for contouring. It is not without risks, though. Some people feel during or after the treatment. Skin redness and swelling are common too, but usually settle within hours or days. There is also a risk of uneven fat removal to irregular contours, and temporary from the cooling effect. Although rare, there is a small risk of burns from the radiofrequency and .
and CoolTone work by stimulating the muscles to definition and lift, without any fat transfer or . The way EMSCULPT works is by using high-intensity electromagnetic technology to strong muscle that you could not through exercise. The muscle responds by its inner structure, which builds and it. When used on the buttocks, it lifts and firms the . It is often marketed as being like doing thousands of squats in one . CoolTone is very similar but uses muscle to reach the muscle layer through the skin and fat. Both are non-invasive with no . However, they can cause muscle pain similar to an workout, and both need multiple to see results.
It is important to note that and enhance the by increasing muscle mass. They do not add volume the way a traditional BBL or dermal fillers do. Nor can they the that and 3D-Lipo can. The right choice between all these treatments will always depend on your specific 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 serious risks, the options carry potential risks and side too. If you are thinking about a BBL or one of its options, weigh it up carefully. Consider the risks, your body type, your health and your aesthetic goals. Always consult a qualified, experienced surgeon who can help you choose the safest option and get the best result. In the UK that means a surgeon working in a . It is also worth being very about abroad or unregulated 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, injectable butt lifts or any other body or surgical procedure. What our doctors 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 informational only and is not a substitute for advice, or treatment. Always consult a professional with any about your skin or options.
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