The BBL Journey: 10 Years and Beyond

The Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) is a popular cosmetic surgery procedure that has gained significant popularity in recent years. With the BBL, you can enhance the shape and size of your buttocks while also contouring other areas of your body. However, as with any cosmetic procedure, it's important to understand the long-term effects of the BBL, especially after 10 years.

10 years after a BBL, the effects of the surgery will depend on several factors, including the individual's body, lifestyle, and how well they have taken care of themselves post-surgery. While some patients may experience minimal changes, others may see a noticeable difference in their results. Regular exercise and a healthy diet can help maintain the results of a BBL, but it's important to note that the body will continue to age and change over time.

How Long Does BBL Last?

This permanent cosmetic procedure increases the size of the butt while toning excess fat in areas like the hips and thighs. Once the fat cells have stabilised after your cosmetic surgery, they will remain in place in the butt for some time. 

To maximize and maintain the results, patients must maintain a healthy lifestyle and weight. BBL results in fat cells being injected into the buttocks shrinking if you lose weight afterward, reducing their overall volume. Weight gain will also enlarge fat cells, causing the butt to grow. 

Do BBL Results Change?

As the buttocks adapt to the increased volume after a BBL, the skin can feel taut. After 6-8 weeks, the fat grafts undergo a 'fluffing' stage, in which the skin expands to accommodate the fat grafts, making the butt look rounder.   

After this cosmetic surgery, the body will absorb 30-50% of the fat moved to the butt in the following 3-6 months. The final result will only become apparent after the fat has stabilized, so your surgeon will take this into account.

As long as you avoid drastic weight changes after the excess fat is absorbed, your BBL results should remain stable.

Factors That Impact BBL

There are several factors that can contribute to the maintenance of your results:

Plastic Surgeon’s Expertise

A cosmetic procedure should always be thoroughly researched and vetted before undergoing it. To conduct a BBL safely and competently, your plastic surgeon should possess both the clinical knowledge and qualifications necessary. 

Dr Omar Tillo, our surgeon at the CREO Clinic, pioneered the ‘Buttock Enhancement and Superficial Transfer of Fat’ (BEST-F) technique, which injects fat above the gluteal muscles to minimise risks and maximise safety.

Additionally, it is essential that your chosen surgeon has significant experience performing Brazilian Butt Lifts, as this knowledge is crucial to achieving a long-lasting result.   

Patient Profile

A BBL's final results are dependent on the patient's body and the amount of fat that can be removed via liposuction and transferred to the butt itself. However, this does not mean that patients with less fat cannot undergo surgery. A 'skinny BBL' can be performed on patients with a lower BMI, where less fat is transferred, but the results are still significant. 

In addition to a patient's biological profile, the amount of fat absorbed by the body will depend on the amount of excess fat injected. However, a competent surgeon will be aware of this factor and will inject enough fat in order to achieve desired results. 

Healthy Lifestyle

Maintaining a healthy weight by eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly is essential to long-term BBL results. It may therefore be beneficial for patients to work with a dietician or personal trainer after surgery in order to regulate their weight and to maximize their BBL results.

BBL Results Over Time

Week One

Following a BBL, you may experience swelling, soreness, and bruising in the butt and liposuction areas. Once your body has healed from cosmetic surgery, this will gradually dissipate. You will also receive detailed aftercare instructions and pain relief prescriptions from your surgeon to ensure that your recovery is as comfortable as possible. Compression garments will also be provided to you to manage swelling and further contour your body. 

In order to account for the body absorbing the excess fat, your surgeon may have injected a large amount of fat into the buttocks at this stage. You will gradually see your desired BBL result as your body absorbs the excess and swelling dissipates.

Month One

As the swelling dissipates during the first month, it will continue to subside. Throughout the first 6 weeks following cosmetic surgery, you should continue to wear the compression garment provided to you. The skin on your butt may also feel taut and uncomfortable during the first 6-8 weeks as your body gradually adjusts and expands to accommodate the new fat grafts. Once the fluffing stage is complete, the butt will appear and feel more natural. 

Year One

Your body will absorb 30-50% of the fat injected during the first 3-6 months following BBL surgery, so the butt will shrink in size. Your surgeon will have taken this into account when adding fat for the desired result. 

A more voluminous buttocks and a more contoured figure can be seen after six months following BBL, as swelling subsides completely.  

Year Ten

Ten years after your BBL surgery, your butt should still look the same. You should, however, maintain a healthy weight and avoid drastic changes to ensure your butt stays plump and perky.

BBL Results: How to Maintain Them

In order to maintain the results of their BBL procedure, many patients are interested in knowing how to do so. The best, long-lasting results can be achieved in several ways:

Post-operative instructions should be followed

You will receive comprehensive aftercare instructions from your surgeon immediately following your cosmetic surgery.

For more intensive exercise, you should wait at least 6-8 weeks before returning to work and doing light daily activities. To ensure a complete healing of the wounds, this procedure must be followed. 

Maintain a healthy diet

Keeping your weight in check and, therefore, your BBL results, requires a healthy diet. Ensure that you consume a balanced diet, including fruits, vegetables, and protein sources.

In order to ensure that our patients get the most benefit from their BBL results, we work with a team of dieticians.

Dress Correctly

In order to maximize the benefits of your BBL and minimise post-surgical swelling, you will be provided with a compression garment after your surgery. During the first six weeks following your BBL procedure, you must wear this device. Additionally, loose clothing may help you heal more comfortably.

After two months, exercise

It should be possible for you to resume exercising after 6-8 weeks. To ensure that your wounds have sufficiently healed, you should consult your doctor. Exercise is just as important as a balanced diet for maintaining a healthy weight.

More About BBL

• 3 weeks post op bbl: After a BBL procedure, you can expect to experience swelling, soreness, and bruising in the butt and liposuction areas. These side effects should gradually dissipate as your body heals from the surgery. Your surgeon will provide you with detailed aftercare instructions and pain relief prescriptions to help make your recovery as comfortable as possible.
• Are bbl permanent: A BBL procedure is considered a permanent cosmetic procedure, as it increases the size of the butt by injecting fat cells into the area. However, the final result will only become apparent after the fat has stabilized, which can take several months. To maintain the results of a BBL, it is important to maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle.
• Are brazilian bum lifts dangerous: Like any surgical procedure, a Brazilian Butt Lift carries some risks and potential complications. These may include infection, bleeding, scarring, and adverse reactions to anesthesia. It is important to thoroughly research and vet a plastic surgeon before undergoing a BBL procedure, and to discuss any concerns you may have with your surgeon.
• BBL 20 years later: The long-term effects of a BBL procedure are largely dependent on the patient's weight and lifestyle after the surgery. If you maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle, your BBL results should remain stable over time. However, it is not uncommon for the body to continue to absorb some of the injected fat cells over the first few months after a BBL procedure, which can affect the final results. To maintain the results of a BBL over the long term, it is important to maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle.
• BBL how long does it last: The results of a BBL procedure can last for several years, as long as you maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle. However, it is not uncommon for the body to continue to absorb some of the injected fat cells over the first few months after a BBL procedure, which can affect the final results. To maximize the longevity of your BBL results, it is important to follow your surgeon's aftercare instructions and to maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle.
• BBL over time: The results of a BBL procedure can last for several years, as long as you maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle. However, it is not uncommon for the body to continue to absorb some of the injected fat cells over the first few months after a BBL procedure, which can affect the final results. To maximize the longevity of your BBL results, it is important to follow your surgeon's aftercare instructions and to maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle.
• BBL surgery death rate: While rare, death can occur as a result of any surgical procedure, including a BBL. Some of the potential complications of a BBL procedure include infection, bleeding, scarring, and adverse reactions to anesthesia. To minimize the risks of a BBL procedure, it is important to thoroughly research and vet a plastic surgeon before undergoing the surgery, and to discuss any concerns you may have with your surgeon.
• BBL why dangerous: A Brazilian Butt Lift is considered a relatively safe and effective cosmetic procedure when performed by a qualified and experienced plastic surgeon. However, like any surgical procedure, a BBL carries some risks and potential complications. These may include infection, bleeding, scarring, and adverse reactions to anesthesia. To minimize the risks of a BBL procedure, it is important to thoroughly research and vet a plastic surgeon before undergoing the surgery, and to discuss any concerns you may have with your surgeon.