How Safe Is Brazilian Butt Lift Surgery?

Posted March 19, 2025 in Body Procedures

The Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) continues to be one of the most sought-after plastic surgery procedures, showing small but steady increases each year in the number of patients who wish to enhance their backside. However, as with any surgical procedure, potential BBL patients often have concerns about the safety of the procedure. In this blog, we’ll explore the safety aspects of Brazilian Butt Lift surgery, the risks involved, and what you can do to ensure a safer experience.

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What Is a Brazilian Butt Lift?

A Brazilian Butt Lift is designed to enhance the shape and size of your buttocks without artificial implants. The process, known as fat transfer or fat grafting, is performed in three steps:

Step 1: Liposuction

The BBL procedure begins by harvesting excess fat from “problem areas” on your body (typically your abdomen, back, or flanks). For example, you may choose to remove excess fat from your waist via liposuction to give you a more hourglass shape and accentuate the results of your BBL.

Step 2: Fat Purification

The harvested fat is processed in a centrifuge, separating the fat cells from other fluids and impurities to ensure only the healthiest fat cells are used for your BBL procedure.

Step 3: Fat Injection

The purified fat cells are carefully and strategically injected into different areas of your buttocks to create a natural, proportionate improvement in shape and volume.

While the technique may sound simple, a BBL is actually a complex procedure. To ensure optimal results and, more importantly, optimal safety, it is essential to choose a highly qualified and experienced board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Josef Hadeed for your BBL.

Brazilian Butt Lift Surgery Safety Concerns

While BBL surgery is safe when performed by a board-certified surgeon with extensive experience in the procedure, there is a potential for risks and complications. Below are some of the safety concerns regarding BBL procedures:

Fat Embolism

One of the most serious risks associated with BBL surgery is fat embolism. Fat embolism occurs when fat is accidentally injected into a blood vessel, where it can potentially travel to your lungs, heart, or brain with serious or even fatal results. This is one reason why it is vital to choose the right surgeon for your BBL. If your surgeon isn’t properly trained or is inexperienced, improper injection techniques can increase the risk of developing complications like fat embolism.

One important safety measure Dr. Hadeed uses is ultrasound guidance during the fat injection step of the BBL procedure. Ultrasound technology allows Dr. Hadeed to accurately determine the correct plane of fat injection, ensuring the fat is placed above the muscle rather than within or below it. This is a critical step for reducing the risk of fat embolism, one of the most serious complications of BBL surgery. Using real-time imaging allows Dr. Hadeed to significantly improve the safety of BBL surgery because he confirms he is injecting the fat into the safest anatomical location.

Infection

As with any surgical procedure, there is always a risk of infection after a BBL. The best way to avoid infection after your Brazilian Butt Lift is to follow your surgeon’s postoperative care instructions to the letter and carefully clean your liposuction incision sites and BBL injection sites as directed. 

Asymmetrical Results

There is so much more to a BBL than simply injecting additional fat into your buttocks. Your surgeon must know where and how much fat to inject into each buttock to achieve symmetrical results. Achieving perfect symmetry and a smooth, round appearance can be challenging. When a BBL is performed incorrectly, you may experience uneven fat distribution, lumps, or indentations in your buttocks or unsatisfactory liposuction results. In extreme cases, you may require revision surgery to correct your BBL results.

Fat Absorption and Loss

While fat transfer is a proven effective way to enhance your behind, not all transferred fat survives after the procedure. In fact, between 30–50% of the fat injected during your BBL procedure may be reabsorbed by your body. To compensate for this, experienced BBL surgeons like Dr. Hadeed will inject more fat than necessary to compensate for the expected loss. Following your surgeon’s postoperative instructions can also help keep you from losing too much fat. 

How to Ensure That Your BBL Experience Is Safe

If you’re thinking about undergoing a Brazilian Butt Lift, there are several things to keep in mind as you look for the right surgeon and prepare for your BBL surgery and recovery, including:

• Choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon with training and experience in BBL surgery will help ensure that your procedure is performed safely and that you achieve your desired results. 
  
  Dr. Hadeed is a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience performing BBL and other body contouring procedures, including TriDef™ Liposculpting and H-Curve™ Rib Remodeling.
• Make sure that your BBL will be performed in a hospital or accredited surgical facility and that the medical staff is qualified and experienced.
  
  Dr. Hadeed has privileges at hospitals in both Los Angeles and Miami.
• Follow your surgeon’s instructions both before and after surgery. Things like avoiding nicotine, not putting pressure on your buttocks, and adhering to exercise restrictions are all contributing factors for a safe and successful BBL surgery.

Dr. Hadeed will provide you with detailed pre- and postoperative instructions prior to your BBL surgery.

Is a BBL Safer Than Implants?

Again, while all types of surgery come with inherent risks, a BBL is typically considered safer than silicone butt implants. Because a BBL uses your own fat, it eliminates the risk of rejection or allergic reaction after surgery. A BBL is less invasive than implants, which reduces the chance of infection and offers a more natural appearance. In some cases, silicone butt implants can shift out of place, which will require additional surgery to correct. 

How Safe Is a BBL Compared to Other Cosmetic Surgeries?

Compared to other cosmetic surgeries, a BBL may have a slightly higher risk due to the potential for fat embolism. However, when performed by a skilled, board-certified surgeon who adheres to strict safety protocols, the risks are minimal. As more BBL surgeries are performed, more information is gathered, and safety guidelines continue to improve. 

Learn More About Brazilian Butt Lift Surgery in Beverly Hills

If you’ve been working to achieve a rounder, fuller booty and are frustrated at your lack of results, BBL surgery may be the solution. To learn more about the procedure and discover if you are a good candidate for a Brazilian Butt Lift, schedule a consultation with Dr. Hadeed by calling (310) 970-2940 or completing our online contact form.