Brazilian Butt Lift aka “BBL” or Fat Transfer to Buttock

At our AAAHC accredited facility in Fall River, Dr. Mark X. Lowney performs the “SAFER BBL” procedure, or a less invasive surgery than the traditional Brazilian Butt Lift, by substituting general anesthesia for local anesthesia using IV Conscious Sedation and tumescent liposuction. This less invasive approach results in a youthful, pronounced, perky buttocks for patients who want to improve their flat bottoms or accentuate their natural curves. SAFER BBL actually combines 2 cosmetic procedures: a “LIPO 360” with a “FAT TRANSFER TO BUTTOCKS”. Essentially, a LIPO360 consists of liposuction of the entire “core” which includes the upper and lower abdomen, hip roll areas (or love handles) and upper bra bulge areas (fat underneath bra). Next, the fat is purified and immediately reinjected into the buttocks using the “SAFER BBL” technique. The combination of these two procedures results in a “snatched waist”, artistically sculpted abdomen, reduced love handles, and a perkier, more sensuous and youthful buttocks.

“SAFER BBL “ is the trademarked name of a technique utilized by Dr Mark X. Lowney as well as a group of Plastic Surgeons and Cosmetic Surgeons in “Dr Miami Squad”.  This group of 15 world-renowned surgeons have performed thousands of Brazilian Butt Lifts and have pooled their wisdom regarding the safest way to perform this procedure to avoid complications including a fat embolism which can be lethal.  Dr Lowney has performed over 1000 procedures utilizing this technique which incorporates the following principles:

1. Autologous (using the patient’s own fat) fat transfer to the subcutaneous layer ONLY (space between skin and gluteus muscle), NEVER injecting fat into or under the gluteus muscle. This technique avoids injection of fat into blood vessels located in the muscles which can lead to a lethal fat embolism.
2. Utilization of a large sized infiltration cannula (#4 or greater) to place fat into the subcutaneous layer of adipose tissue, thus decreasing risk of lacerating (cutting) a blood vessel which can lead to fat embolism.
3. Utilizing a power-assist device which vibrates the infiltration cannula during tunneling and fat infiltration into the subcutaneous space. Again, this technology helps the surgeon make tunnels (potential spaces) in the adipose (fatty) layer between the skin and muscle.  By creating these tunnels, it makes it easier to place fat in a safer manner.
4. Utilizing a fat transfer infiltration system which you can regulate the pressure of the fat going into the subcutaneous space. By infiltrating the fat at a low pressure (i.e., not forcing it into the subcutaneous space) as well as not “overfilling “the space under high pressure, this decreases the chance of placing fat into the muscle.
5. Placing the adits (small incisions where the infiltration cannula is placed) in strategic locations above and below the buttocks and directing the cannula away fro the “danger zones” where large blood vessels are located in the muscle.

Joining cosmetic surgery societies like AACS (The American Association of Cosmetic Surgery) and attending scientific meetings and other conferences where safety techniques for all cosmetic surgery procedures including the BBL are taught.

Most lipo360’s take between 3 to 4 hours to perform.  The actual fat transfer to the buttocks takes about 30 minutes.  On average, it is a 4-hour procedure.

On average, approximately 750cc to 1500cc is placed into each buttock.

With proper fat harvesting and reinjection techniques, fat transfer to the buttocks should last forever.  Sometimes patients can lose up to 30% of fat within the first 6 months after surgery.

Because the transferred fat is a living tissue, if you lose weight the fat cells will shrink and so will the lift.  Reciprocally, if you gain weight the fat cells will increase in size and and accentuate the lift.   Healthy lifestyle choices like eating a mostly whole food, plant based diet, doing at least 20 minutes of aerobic exercise per day, and refraining from smoking will optimize the final results.

Although the lipo360 part of the procedure will cause some soreness, the actual fat transfer site of the buttocks remains relatively pain free.  Most of our cosmetic surgery patients are sent home on a “narcotic-free” medication regimen consisting of Tylenol, Gabepentin, and Ultram.