Is a Brazilian butt lift worth it in the long run?

Dear Mamita,    You will hear or read different opinions about your question which is an excellent question. All I can tell you is , that according to many patients of mine, who came to my surgery center for butt implants surgery, the fat disappeared completely or almost completely after 6 - 12 months . The disappointing fat injection  procedures that were done by other surgeons, convinced me not to do that surgery in my practice.   Large amounts of fat injection to the butts, are physiologically illogical, because you can not expect the fat to survive without good circulation. Think about it, if fat injection would have been consistent and reliable, breasts augmentation with implants would have disappeared from the market or their numbers would have declined dramatically. The reality is that last year , breasts augmentation with implants, were the number one cosmetic surgery in the US...  Your best option is semi solid silicone implants. They do not disappear and when done correctly the butts look very natural and attractive. However , not all results are the same because there are different techniques and the implants come in different shapes, size and softness. So , do your due diligence and choose wisely. Consult only with board certified plastic surgeons who do lots of butt implants surgery in accredited surgery center for your safety. Most importantly, check the before and after pictures to make sure that they are numerous, consistent and attractive. Check also the 'realself' reviews for positive patients experience which provides important information on the plastic surgeons.                     Best of luck,                                         Dr Widder

Surgeons generally charge depending on how long a procedure takes.  A $5000 procedure would be very short and this can represent about an hour of surgical time in my practice.  In my opinion, this procedure can't be done properly in one hour, unless someone does this all the time.  I have seen some of the experts in the fat grafting field do this with specialized equipment and are extremely efficient at this.  Most of us will take 3 hours to carefully harvest, prepare and graft the fat.  I would trust the surgeon with a higher fee as his technique will probably give you a long-lasting result that you will be happy with.

Hello, and thank you for reaching out to us.We cannot be certain without a consultation, but there are certainly going to be options focused on a customized body contouring solution. First off you should consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon for answers specific to you, your body and your goals. And don't be afraid to request before-and-after pictures. Every surgeon has a different style, so you want to be sure your vision is reflected in the work they have done.It is all about designing the perfect plan for You.Good luck, please let us know how it goes.- Dr. Constantino Mendieta

I would have to see pictures to determine if this procedure would be a good fit for you.  If it is, I think you will be happy for years to come.  Kenneth Hughes, MDLos Angeles, CA

Hi and thank you for your question. A Brazilian butt lift is not permanent. Most cosmetic procedures aren't permanent either. Over a number of years there is a certain amount of fat that is lost. However, IMHO patients definitely enjoy the outcome of a well performed BBL. Although costs are important, never let them be the deciding factor. Ask yourself if you are willing to travel for your surgery.Always seek out the opinion of a surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery with years of experience in liposuction and fat transfers. Furthermore request to see before and after photos of previous patients by that doctor....not a clinic or surgery center. Do your homework......research and verify the doctor's credentials. Have they had problems with the Board of Medicine, disciplinary or otherwise. Any law suits? Prices will vary area to area of the country, the amount of fat to be transferred and the time it takes to do so. In Miami, Florida where BBLs are a common occurrence, the prices may vary from $7500 to $11,000. Whatever the case do your homework.The key is............ does the surgeon have a keen sense of aesthetics? Can he/she create a shapely, attractive buttock or are they just technicians that wind up with large unshapely behinds? The same holds true for the liposuction portion of the procedure. Understand that liposuction whether SAL, PAL or UAL ( not including LAL because the fat obtained through this technique will not be useful) is not that technically challenging. However, the keen aesthetic eye will determine the eventual work of art.We are creators and have the ability to turn out beautiful works of art. Simply put................not all artists create quality work.How about the center, clinic or facility? Are they accredited by a national organization or do they just have State approval. Understand that at the current time, there are three nationally recognized organizations responsible for the highest levels of patient safety, AAAASF, AAACH and JCHO. You owe it to yourself to position yourself for the best possible results but under the most stringent safety regulations, If you have kids, even more so.How about anesthesia? Will you have a medical doctor certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology or a certified nurse anesthetist (CRNA)? Understand that there is no substitute for research. Cosmetic surgery, no matter how simple it may be to the patients, are invasive procedures and as such carry certain risks and complications.In our office we use TouchMD which is a web based program in which patients have the ability to load their picture unto the program. We can accommodate patients from as far away as California. I then evaluate them and can actually draw on the picture to show a potential patient where the incisions would be located and how the procedure is to be realized. It's all done to comply with HIPPA which is the federal law that protects the patient's medical information. Look them up.Give yourself the highest percentage of a sucssesful operation. Good luck Dr. PG

Hello dear!!
Thanks for the question and provided information as well.
After a BBL, about 80% of the transferred fat cells will survive, but this should last permanently, with exercise and a clean diet. Lifting, squats and lunges after a BBL will only help increase muscle bulk and definition and achieve a more projected buttocks.
In the Dominican Republic, we have excellent doctors, great professionals, and most importantly, board certified plastic surgeons, that you can choose from.
Thank you for the question and provided information as well.
The average cost varies a lot depending on the clinic, the country, city and the plastic surgeon. It also depends on the number of areas treated with liposuction. I suggest you to book a consultation to discuss the best options for your goals.
Good luck :)

A brazilian butt lift , done properly will give you results for a lifetime. After the fat transferred to your butt takes its own vascular supply it will live there forever. the liposuction required in order to harvest the fat will also give you lifetime shape So the answer is YES, a BBL is worth it in the long run.  Best wishes 

I perform a lot of BBL's in NYC and patients seem to be very satisfied with their results when they have ample donor sites for harvesting. Best to luck. 

Thank you for your question.When you transfer you fat to your buttocks you are only transferring it and filling the same space you had with fat , which means that space will be there and the fat will always be there and it can become bigger or smaller depending on the weight that you keep after surgery. For the price $5000 is a good price but if your surgeon gave you that advise i can only guess he has not seen his clients for years after he gave them this procedure so i do not agree with his opinion. To archive the required results you will need a tummy tuck after this procedure as your skin will be loose and with the tummy tuck you will have a liposuction as well which is included in the tummy tuck.Many surgeons, including myself, offer online virtual consultations where you send us your photos and we can estimate the cost. I, like many surgeons, also offer free consultations so that you can be examined and given the most accurate quote. Choose a board certified plastic surgeon who has done a ton of Brazilian Butt Lifts and has privileges to do this surgery at a local university hospital. This says his credentials have been checked out by fellow Drs. All surgeries carry risk, talk to your plastic surgeon and choose one wisely.

The BBL procedure is effective and can yield long lasting results.  What I'm concerned with is the wide variance in prices you posted.   A great reference for total cost for procedures in your region is right here on real self.com.     The BBL procedure involves harvest fat from areas of your body where there is excess fat and injecting that fat carefully into the central zone of your buttock. In addition, it involves liposculpting the buttock to facilitate a more rounded look. The common donor sites for this procedure is your posterior waist/flanks, lateral thighs, back, waist, and anterior tummy. Please visit with a board certified plastic surgeon to learn more about your options.  And remember, don't chase after price alone.  It may be much more expensive to rectify things if things don't work out well.