brazilian
BUTT lift
Curves
Over the years, the aesthetics of the "ideal" woman has evolved. Historic sculptures portray curvaceous, thickset silhouettes, while waif-like models strutted runways in the late 20th century. More recently, with rising emphasis on health and lifestyle, "thick fit" is the new "skinny."Fitness and strength is now promoted, celebrating well-developed glutes/thighs and an itsy bitsy waist.
For some patients, this hourglass ideal may be difficult to achieve. Patients who desire a curvy, voluptuous derrière may consider butt augmentation, aka Brazilian Butt Lift. This procedure enlarges the buttocks with your own fat! Fat is harvested from other problem areas and replaced into the buttocks, both tightening your waist and enhancing the buttocks to produce the hourglass.
Dr. Lisa Hwang will work with you to develop your customized butt augmentation plan--she will carefully assess your anatomy and discuss your goals to ensure you have realistic expectations of your results. A beautiful BBL requires careful contouring with an aesthetic eye to achieve the most natural-appearing results.
Goals
full buttocks.
Butt augmentation is not only about achieving a bigger butt, but also a shapely one. Studies have delved into ideal proportions i.e. waist to hip ratio and areas of maximum projection in all 3 dimensions. Dr. Hwang takes your natural figure into consideration while shaping you to ensure that the ultimate result is voluptuous yet proportional.
Tiny waist.
In butt augmentation, liposuction is first performed to harvest fat from other problem areas i.e. belly, flanks aka love handles, thighs, etc. With good skin elasticity, a tight waistline can be sculpted. One limitation is the amount of fat you have; thinner patients will not be able to achieve a dramatic result. For others, this combination procedure can transform your body into a stunning hourglass!
natural.
Fat transfer utilizes a patient's own tissue and redistributes it for a natural enhancement (vs. silicone buttock implants). After fat is grafted to the buttocks, about 50-70% survives long term, after which it permanently becomes a part of that part of the body. Future weight gain or loss will affect the buttocks, just as it will affect the rest of your body.
surgery
Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) is a combination surgery that involves liposuction and fat transfer to the buttocks. The duration of the surgery depends on the amount of fat that is transferred. Generally, surgery can take from 2 to 4 hours. The procedure is performed at a surgery center under general anesthesia. After surgery, compressive garments are applied, and the patient can go home.
recovery.
Patients can expect soreness, swelling, bruising, and decreased sensation (temporary). Bruising should resolve within the first 2 weeks, but swelling and firmness will continue to improve over the first 3 to 6 months. Compression garments should be worn as long as necessary to reduce tissue swelling. Patients should AVOID sitting directly on their buttocks for at least two weeks to allow the fat to survive successfully. For the first three months, patients are advised to sleep on their stomach, and to avoid sitting for prolonged periods.
activity.
After surgery, stay well-hydrated and walk! Walking encourages blood flow in the legs to prevent blood clots from forming. Butt lift is a big surgery; even the most active patients must rest to aid in recovery. Please refrain from any heavy lifting over 10 pounds. Patients are generally recommended to take one week off work; patients with sedentary jobs or have long commutes must make arrangements to not sit for prolonged periods of time. At 3 weeks, you can begin to resume more active exercise, as tolerated.
risks & complications.
Risks of butt augmentation include bleeding, infection, delayed wound healing, changes or loss in sensation, contour deformity, scarring, and asymmetry. Most importantly, patients should be aware of the risk for developing blood clots in the legs or the lungs, as this can cause serious morbidity if missed. Tightness/pain in calves or shortness of breath after surgery should be reported.
Results
Videos
Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL)
Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL)
Tummy Tuck & BBL (Brazilian Butt Lift)
BBL (Brazilian Butt Lift)
Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL)
REVIEWS
"I just had a tummy tuck, 360 lipo, and BBL last Tuesday, and I am feeling outstanding with the results. This has been an amazing, life-changing transformation. I can not walk close to my mirror without seeing my body. I love it! Thanks, Doctor Lisa — you are now a person who I would never forget." — Patient Review on Yelp
"Dr. Lisa Hwang has been 5 stars from beginning to end. She performed my lower body lift and butt lift after I lost 150 lbs, taking on the huge amount of skin and perfecting it beyond my expectations. I can’t thank her enough for changing my life and highly recommend her for any surgery needs." — Patient Review on Yelp
"After interviewing many plastic surgeons in the Bay Area, I met Dr. Hwang and knew she was the right surgeon. She made me feel very safe in her knowledge of plastic surgery. I am two weeks into my recovery and I could not be happier with my results! My skin was extremely stretched from pregnancy, and now I feel so confident because it looks really natural. My friends and family agree that my stomach looks so good. I'm so happy I chose her as my surgeon and would definitely go back if I were to have another procedure done. Thanks again to Dr. Hwang for giving me confidence for the first time in years!" — Patient Review on Yelp
FAQS
What range of activities am I restricted with after a Brazilian Butt Lift?
The most important restriction after a BBL is avoiding direct pressure on the buttocks for about 6 weeks. When fat is transferred, it temporarily loses its blood supply and needs time to establish a new supply. Sitting or lying directly on the buttocks can compress the area, limit blood flow, and reduce survival of the transferred fat. This can lead to decreased fat retention or, in some cases, fat necrosis (where the fat doesn’t survive and is reabsorbed by the body). During the initial recovery, use special cushions, sleep on your stomach or side, and avoid exercises or activities that put pressure on the buttocks until your surgeon clears you.
If you’re having a Tummy Tuck at the same time, avoiding pressure on your buttocks can be more challenging. We encourage practicing a reclined position on a bed or recliner: lie on your back with your hips flexed, knees supported on a pillow, and cushions under your lower back and thighs, ensuring your buttocks do not bear any weight.
As with other surgeries, avoid lifting more than 10 pounds for the first 3 weeks. After this period, weight training that targets the glutes can be gradually reintroduced to help refine and enhance your results.
When will I be able to sit for an hour or more?
6 weeks after surgery, you will be able to sit normally and for prolonged periods of time.
Why is the Brazilian Butt Lift considered risky?
Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) is widely discussed in the media because it carries higher surgical risk than many other cosmetic procedures, primarily due to improper surgical technique and the anatomy involved. BBL involves transferring fat into the buttocks, which sits over large veins that lead directly to the lungs. If fat is incorrectly injected too deeply into or below the muscle, it can enter these veins and travel to the lungs, causing a potentially fatal fat embolism.
This is the main reason BBL has a higher mortality rate compared to other cosmetic surgeries. Proper technique performed by ABPS board-certified aesthetic plastic surgeons—limiting injections to the subcutaneous layer above the muscle, using proper cannulas, orienting cannulas in the appropriate direction, and controlling injection pressure—is critical to minimize risk.
What credentials does Dr. Lisa Hwang hold?
Dr. Lisa Hwang, MD, FACS is a board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in aesthetic surgery. She is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) and has completed extensive training, including full residencies in both general surgery and plastic surgery, followed by an aesthetic surgery fellowship endorsed by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS).
Dr. Hwang is an active member of several esteemed professional societies, including ASAPS, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the California Society of Plastic Surgeons (CSPS, and the American College of Surgeons (ACS). Her practice reflects a commitment to surgical precision, artistic vision, and compassionate, personalized care.
How much does a Brazilian Butt Lift cost?
Costs can vary based on your individual goals. Reach out to us with the details of what you’re considering, and we’ll provide a ballpark estimate.