Brazilian butt lift (BBL) is a popular fat grafting surgery that transfers extra fat cells to the buttocks to create a fuller, rounder shape. It has overtaken butt implants as the preferred way to augment the buttocks for most patients. If you are interested in adding volume to your backside, you may be wondering what kind of downtime is required while recovering from this procedure. Below, Miami plastic surgeon Dr. Christopher Craft discusses the BBL recovery details that all patients should know.

The First Days After Your Surgery

After BBL, you should notice some swelling and bruising on your buttocks, as well as the area where liposuction was performed to harvest fat cells. Dr. Craft provides a compression garment for you to wear to help accelerate healing and help your body maintain its new contours. You may take pain medication to manage any discomfort you experience. Focus on resting and relaxing during this period, avoiding any substantial physical activity.

Tips for Sleeping

While most plastic surgery patients simply lie down on their bed or couch during their recovery, BBL patients have a few more factors they need to consider. It is imperative that you avoid putting pressure on your butt to avoid disrupting your transferred fat cells.

When you go to sleep, you should only be in a downward facing position with your stomach against your mattress. Sleeping on your back or side can have a negative impact on your results. You may need to prop your body up with pillows to avoid straining your neck in this position — or you can buy a special type of pillow that contains a hole for your head for the most comfortable stomach-sleeping experience. 

If you are prone to rolling over while asleep, you may need to surround yourself with additional pillows. This should stop you from moving to your back while unconscious.

Tips for Sitting

Unfortunately, sitting down is also a bad idea in the weeks following BBL. To avoid putting pressure on your buttocks, you will want to purchase a donut pillow. This is a device that allows you to put pressure on your thighs rather than your butt when seated. Although this pillow can be used in the car, you should ideally avoid driving as much as possible for the first couple of weeks.

The good news is that these modifications in sleeping and sitting are temporary. After a few weeks of healing, you can sit normally and resume your preferred sleeping position without worrying about how it will affect your butt’s contours. 

Ask a Top Plastic Surgeon All Your BBL-Related Questions

Now that you have a realistic understanding of what Brazilian butt lift entails, you may be interested in learning more about the types of changes that will best complement your physique. To speak to a board-certified plastic surgeon, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Craft today. Call 305-596-9700.