What Should Brazilian Butt Lift Patients Avoid After Surgery?

Recovery after Brazilian butt lift (BBL) surgery requires patients to adhere to a very specific set of aftercare instructions, which will include a number of things to do — and many others to avoid. Not only is proper BBL aftercare essential for complete and efficient healing, but it can also play a major role in the final aesthetic outcome. At Andre P. Marshall Plastic Surgery in Beverly Hills, CA, double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Andre Marshall takes great care to ensure patients are well educated about BBL recovery instructions and feel comfortable and confident in knowing what to do and what not to do after a BBL. If you preparing for BBL surgery, be sure to review these BBL recovery must-knows.

What happens during BBL surgery?

Understanding how a BBL is performed is helping in preparing patients for what they'll need to do (and avoid) during BBL recovery and, more important, why it matters. Unlike butt augmentation with implants, BBL surgery relies on natural fat cells to add volume to the butt and create a more desirable butt shape. During BBL, fat is harvested from elsewhere on the patient's body — including from areas like the abdomen, hips, and thighs — and subsequently injected into the buttocks in thin, precise layers. This process — also known as a fat transfer to the butt — can produce strikingly natural-looking and feeling results, but following BBL recovery instructions is critical, as certain behaviors can actually prevent the newly transferred fat cells from establishing a blood supply, meaning the patient will end up with less added volume than originally planned for.

Is there anything I can't do after a BBL?

Following your recovery plan after BBL surgery is one of the most critical factors in setting yourself up for a successful final outcome. Some of the most important "don'ts" after BBL surgery include:

• Don't sit directly on your buttocks
• Don't place pressure on the buttocks
• Don't sleep on your back
• Don't smoke
• Don't wear tight-fitting clothing or jeans
• Don't resume exercise or strenuous activity before you have been cleared by your surgeon

Not only can these activities cause the newly transferred, delicate fat cells to die — which will ultimately affect the final outcome of your BBL, but they can also contribute to increased swelling, bruising, a delayed healing process overall, and other complications.

What should I do after BBL surgery?

In addition to following the instructions above on what to avoid after a BBL, there are a few helpful things you'll need to make sure to do during your recovery period, including:

• Get plenty of rest
• Sleep on your stomach
• Eat a healthy, balanced diet
• Drink plenty of water
• Take medications as prescribed and directed
• Attend all of your follow-up appointments
• Use a doughnut-shaped pillow or another device to reduce pressure on the buttocks when cleared for modified sitting, driving, etc.

Set yourself up for success ahead of your Beverly Hills BBL surgery with proper preparation and a board-certified plastic surgeon

One of the most important things to keep in mind for BBL recovery is that the things you shouldn't do matter just as much — if not more — than the things you should do. If you have further questions about what to expect after your BBL surgery, or if you are just now starting to think about a BBL and would like to learn more about what results may be possible for you, don't hesitate to call our caring team at Andre P. Marshall Plastic Surgery to schedule your private consultation with Beverly Hills double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Andre Marshall today.