8 Products Plastic Surgeons Recommend For a Successful Brazilian Butt Lift Recovery

Your surgery plan shouldn't end on the day of the procedure. After taking into account the research, consultation, surgery, hospital fees, anesthesia, and post-op meds, you might think you're on your way to new jeans the moment you wake up. But certain procedures, like Brazilian butt lifts, often require more aftercare in order to ensure a faster and more comfortable recovery. We asked two plastic surgeons to share the shopping list of products they give to BBL patients before surgery.

Your surgery plan shouldn’t end on the day of the procedure. After taking into account the research, consultation, surgery, hospital fees, anesthesia, and post-op meds, you might think you’re on your way to new jeans the moment you wake up. But certain procedures, like Brazilian butt lifts, often require more aftercare in order to ensure a faster and more comfortable recovery. We asked two plastic surgeons to share the shopping list of recovery products they give to BBL patients before surgery.

Interested in Brazilian butt lift?
Find Doctors Near You

Compression garment

Most surgical procedures, especially those involving liposuction, require you to wear a compression garment afterward. Brazilian butt lifts are no exception. The garment puts pressure on the areas where incisions were made and reduces swelling and bruising by keeping blood circulating. “When they fit properly, which requires measurement, these garments can easily provide great compression in the first six weeks after surgery,” says Dr. Ruth Celestin, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Riverdale, Georgia. She recommends Design Veronique: “It provides the best combination of a sturdy garment that will hold up over time but also provides stretch so that patients can safely get through their most swollen phase without damage to their skin.”

Design Veronique Front Zippered Molded Buttocks High Back Girdle ($191.95)

BBL pillow

Post-BBL, nothing is going to sound worse than sitting down on a hard surface for longer than a minute or two. That’s where BBL pillows come in. Dr. Celestin says that she’s tried them all in her practice, including beach-style chairs with blow-up cushion seats, but “the type of pillow that results in the highest degree of patient satisfaction is the rectangular shape with the thigh dips cut out and a memory foam layer at the top.” Your doctor may include one in your BBL package, but it’s a good idea to have a few different shapes on hand as you go through the various recovery stages.

Firm Bum Bum Brazilian Butt Lift Pillow ($44.99)

Gatorade

Miami board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Pat Pazmino recommends stocking up on Gatorade for after surgery, as the electrolytes will help to keep you hydrated when you may not feel like eating or drinking enough water. (Though doctors can’t stress it enough: drinking plenty of water is crucial to keep swelling down and ease muscle aches.)

Sanitary pads and adult diapers

It’s not sexy, but you’re going to need heavy-flow sanitary pads or adult diapers, to collect fluid drainage from the surgical sites for the first few days post-op. Make sure to change them frequently, to prevent infection. (It’s also not a bad idea to get a cheap set of sheets you don’t mind staining to sleep on during this time.)

OTC pain medication

“Pain management is important [for your BBL recovery] because your positions of comfort are so limited for a good amount of time,” says Dr. Celestin. In addition to the prescription medications that your doctor will prescribe, she recommends having the following on hand just in case.

Ibuprofen: “It’s an extremely effective anti-inflammatory medication that helps with discomfort but also that rise in swelling that occurs quickly after surgery.”

Vitamin C and zinc: “These supplements promote healing of the skin and soft tissue. You want to be sure that you are nutritionally replete with these key elements after a surgery like BBL.”

Bromelain: Dr. Celestin notes that while her patients report that this pineapple-derived supplement helps significantly with swelling and bruising after surgery, she prefers just eating fresh pineapple. “The added benefit of that is, the additional fiber you’ll be ingesting will help prevent constipation after surgery,” she says. (Dr. Pazmino recommends Dulcolax to his patients in order to help with that side effect.)

Arnica: This herbal supplement can help speed up bruise healing, but you should check with your doctor to see if they recommend the topical or ingestible form of it for you.

Benadryl: According to Dr. Celestin, “Benadryl can help with some of the itchiness that occurs after liposuction procedures, and when used as directed, it can also be a very useful sleep aid for people who have difficulty falling asleep on their stomach—a position that BBL recovery requires.”

Related: 4 Alternatives to a BBL That Can Give You a Bigger, Perkier Butt

Antibacterial body wash

Antibacterial soaps will help kill bacteria on the skin and keep incision areas clean. Opt for those without added artificial fragrance and apply them with a soft sponge rather than a scratchy loofah.

The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Body Wash ($15)

Body lotion

It’s common to feel dry and itchy after surgery due to the incisions, garments, swelling, and change in bathing routine, which is why it’s so important to moisturize daily. Look for lotions that have cocoa or shea butter and always apply right after showering, when your skin is still damp. Dr. Celestin likes the Jergens Wet Skin line for this reason. “Moisturizing is also a great opportunity to start doing self-massage, which is a key element of BBL recovery,” she adds.

Jergens Wet Skin Shea Oil Body Lotion ($6.79)

Back massager

During recovery, you’re going to be limited in the positions you can sit and sleep in, which is going to cause more knots and tension than usual. Invest in a back massager, to work out the hard areas, says Dr. Pazmino.

Naipo Electric Shiatsu Neck and Back Massager ($59.99)

Interested in Brazilian butt lift?
Find Doctors Near You