Following surgery, the initial Brazilian butt lift recovery period will typically last about four to six weeks. During this time, you’ll go through a range of symptoms, which we’ll cover more in detail below. But after four to six weeks, most patients can see their results, and much of the swelling, bruising, and soreness will be gone.
In the following article, we’ll go over both what you can expect during your recovery from Brazilian butt lift surgery and how to make the most of this time for a smooth healing process.
The Brazilian Butt Lift Recovery Process
Directly following BBL surgery, patients will be taken to a recovery room where they will remain and be monitored for several hours. All patients must have a friend or family member take them home. This is because BBL surgery requires general anesthesia, and patients will be groggy and tired after awakening.
At home, patients will experience a range of symptoms, including:
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Light bleeding and drainage
- Soreness
The majority of BBL recovery pain will likely be for the first three to five days. After this time, soreness should dissipate and disappear.
During this initial BBL recovery week where you may be experiencing the most pain, patients can be prescribed pain medication to handle the discomfort. It’s also very important to rest during this time.
Relieve Pressure on Your Buttocks
One important thing to know about fat grafting procedures and Brazilian butt lifts, in particular, is that it’s important not to put undue pressure on the target treatment area. In other words, because there was fat transferred from one area of your body to another, not putting pressure on the area where the injected fat is located is important, especially during the initial recovery period.
This is because when you undergo a fat transfer to buttocks, the transferred fat cells must be able to survive in their new location. And this can only be accomplished when no pressure is being put on them. Patients may have to wear a compression garment on their liposuction areas, but in terms of the buttocks and hips, it’s important to avoid sitting or wearing tight garments.
We recommend purchasing a special BBL recovery pillow that you can use to offload pressure when you do need to sit down. Otherwise, we recommend that you lay on your stomach or position yourself any way wherein there is not direct pressure on your buttocks.
Many patients want to know, “When can I sit after BBL surgery?” Refraining from sitting is typically recommended for six weeks after your Brazilian butt lift procedure. However, it may vary depending on the patient and how much fat was transferred.
How Long Is BBL Recovery?
Each patient’s Brazilian butt lift recovery time will vary. Most patients are able to return to work or school within one to two weeks after a Brazilian buttock lift. Usually, this length of time will depend on how much liposuction the patient had during their surgical procedure and whether they had additional procedures performed in addition to their BBL procedure.
Over the next several weeks as your BBL recovery timeline progresses, it’s completely normal to see some odd swelling and bruising patterns. Patients often come for their follow up appointments and are worried about the way their results are turning out. They may have uneven swelling on one side and not the other, or their skin may look different than they are used to. Sometimes, the abdomen may actually appear larger, despite liposuction.
All of these side effects are common and should disappear with time. Be patient. These changes are common during this period because your body is still in the healing phase. It’s generally nothing to be worried about.
After about one to two months is when you will actually see the majority of swelling, bruising, and other symptoms disappear. At this point you should see fairly good results that you are happy with. However, some light residual swelling may persist, and it may take several more months to see your results improve even further. It may also take at least eight weeks of the BBL recovery process to resume exercise.
In the end, it can take six months to one year for your full results to present. After this time, many patients experience what is colloquially called “fluffing”. This is when your skin relaxes around the new shape of your buttocks and hips, and the new fat cells plump up and “settle” into their new positions. Patients are typically very happy to see their results manifest, and if they keep up a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and a healthy diet, their new shape should persist for many years.
BBL Recovery Tips for a Smooth Recovery
Follow your surgeon’s instructions.
Do not stray from the aftercare instructions you receive from your surgeon.
Get lots of rest.
Make it a priority to get a good night’s sleep every night and lots of rest during the day.
Eat a healthy diet.
A well-balanced diet full of plenty of protein, veggies, fruits, and whole grains will aid in the healing process.
Wear your compression garment.
If necessary, wear your compression garment as directed following buttock augmentation.
Start walking slowly when you can.
When cleared to do so by your surgeon, start taking short walks just up and down the hallway or driveway to help with blood circulation.
Drink plenty of water.
Staying hydrated flushes out excess fluids and helps with scar tissue formation.
Use silicone scar gels for scars.
Liposuction scars should be small to begin with, but you can help them appear even fainter by using silicone scar gels. Look at Brazilian butt lift before and after photos to see examples of BBL scars.
Don’t smoke.
During recovery Brazilian butt lift patients who are usual smokers must refrain from smoking as it can lead to a poor outcome and complicate healing.
Contact Us Today to Request a Consultation
If you are interested in Brazilian butt lift surgery, please contact our office today to make a consultation appointment with board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Raja Mohan. Dr. Mohan performs Brazilian butt lift surgery for patients at his Dallas practice and would be happy to meet with you to discuss Brazilian butt lift procedures and your options for surgery.