BBL -Is it Worth it?

Perhaps you’ve been living without the internet and don’t know what a BBL is or what the letters stand for, you’re in luck, It stands for Brazilian Butt Lift, there you have it!

Recently there has been some hue and cry about the procedure because some people have either developed major complications or lost their lives in the process. There are different schools of opinion about it at the moment, some have said women are doing it to please men, some have said women are doing it because they are insecure about their bodies, and others have called for the procedure to be completely shunned. With all these differing opinions it is important we understand what exactly a BBL is and how risky it is.

What is BBL?

Brazilian butt Lift transfer is a surgical procedure where fat is transferred from places where it is relatively in excess like the abdomen, hips, and thighs, and put in the buttocks to make it fuller and give it a more rounded shape.

How did the practice start?

BBL originated in the 1960s in brazil from the works of a surgeon called Ivo Pitanguy, the technique soon spread and became modified over the years to suit the desires of pop culture, especially among celebrities.

Why do people have it?

The shape of the buttocks is largely due to genetics. We all have differences in our skeletons and how fat is distributed in our body. A lot of people are unhappy about the shape and fullness of their buttocks, or how they look in certain clothes, some feel there is a disproportion between their upper and lower bodies that needs to be balanced out while others want to look younger. It also helps one ‘move fat from places where it is unsightly to the buttocks.

How is BBL done?

BBL is a surgical procedure and like most surgeries, something must be given to reduce or prevent pain perception. This is why doctors give anesthesia. You may be put to sleep or the part to be operated on numbed.

Fat is then extracted from hips etc by a process called liposuction, this fat is purified and injected into the buttocks

What are the risks?

BBL shares the common risks associated with most surgeries which include bleeding and infections. However, most surgeons fear a condition known as pulmonary fat embolism. What this means is that during the procedure, there is a risk of fat being dislodged from one part of the body, this fat now travels up and blocks the blood vessels supplying the heart, leading to sudden death on the operating table.

How many people have died from BBL?

A study done in the US showed a mortality rate of 1 in 3000 to one in 20000 this means that out of 3000 BBL procedures done, one person dies.

Should it be banned?

Plastic surgeons in the US have suggested a temporary halt to the procedure because of the high mortality rate.

Who should perform a bbl?

BBL should be done by a certified and trained plastic and reconstructive surgeon with the right equipment and staff; not just any medical doctor, surgeon or plastic surgeon. This is because there are specialised skills required to be able to perform this procedure. So do your research! Don’t say had I known! Ask questions about the doctor’s certifications and how many bbl procedures they’ve done before. See before and after pictures of prior patients.

What happens after the operation?

BBL is not for the faint hearted. After the operation you don’t just start enjoying your new shape and look. You have to go through a recovery process. For one, you cannot sit on the buttocks for about 2 weeks! So you will have to lie on your tummy or side or stand! You will be made to sit in a special way or on a pillow till about 8 weeks!

In about 6 months you should be fully healed and able to take those fantastic pictures.

What if I desire a great butt but don’t want surgery?

Eating well and exercising can have you looking great. Unfortunately, if your buttocks are flat, they may remain so.

My thoughts on BBL in Nigeria

Nigeria has many health challenges which include a shortage of experienced medical personnel due to brain drain, decaying health infrastructure, poor blood banking services, poor electricity supply, poor referral services, poor ambulance services and reach as well as few and inadequate intensive care units. The problem might not necessarily be in doing the BBL but come in the intra and post operative management of the patient. I’m not saying you shouldn’t do your BBL but you may want to ask yourself if it is really necessary.