What do Cardi B, Kim K and Kylie Jenner all have in common? They all flaunt full, rounded curves, and the Brazilian butt lift is often mentioned as the explanation behind such a figure. But what exactly does it involve? Is it risk-free? How much does the procedure cost, and what is recovery really like? And above all, are there any non-surgical alternatives for a beautifully rounded bum? Here’s everything you need to know before making up your mind.
What is the Brazilian butt lift?
The Brazilian butt lift, or BBL, is a cosmetic surgery procedure designed to increase the volume of the buttocks and improve their shape and firmness. It is an autograft:
- first, a liposuction is performed on a fat-rich area of the body, typically the stomach, hips, thighs or saddlebags;
- in a second step, this fat, once purified, is re-injected into the buttocks, both to lift them and to add volume and shape.
The procedure therefore allows surgeons to sculpt the entire waist-buttocks-thighs area: the waist and thighs are slimmed down, the curve of the back is reshaped, and the buttocks become rounder.
The Brazilian butt lift responds to the growing demand for a figure that is “slim thick”, literally slim yet curvy. This new body trend, fuelled by social media (and certain celebrities) and held up as the new feminine ideal, corresponds to a toned-looking silhouette. A slim waist, a super flat stomach and very generous hips and buttocks have become the ultimate symbols of femininity.
Brazilian bum: what are we talking about?
The terms “Brazilian bum” or “Brazilian butt” describe a round, high and shapely bottom, an image closely associated with Brazil. It’s this silhouette that gives the Brazilian butt lift, or BBL, its name.
Wanting a Brazilian bum doesn’t necessarily mean going under the knife, though. The shape of your bum also depends on how toned your glutes are and on the care you give your skin. Before looking at the alternatives further down, let’s take stock of the risks of a BBL.
Brazilian butt lift: a controversial procedure?
Here’s the thing: the BBL is not without risk. Over the past five years, demand for the Brazilian butt lift has doubled, but post-surgery complications, and even deaths, have also been on the rise. The procedure is even considered the most dangerous cosmetic surgery in existence (one death per 3,000 procedures).
Why is it so risky? The answer is straightforward: for the procedure to be effective, the harvested fat must be injected into vascularised tissue, such as muscle. But if the injection site is poorly chosen, the fat can take a wrong turn and enter the bloodstream and block a vein. This can result in a risk of fat pulmonary embolism (a fatty clot travelling to the lungs), or even a stroke (a cerebral clot).
And that’s not all: the maximum amount of fat that can be injected is 300 ml. Unfortunately, some patients push for larger injections, while certain cosmetic surgeons — unscrupulous or insufficiently qualified — exceed this limit. The consequences can once again be devastating, including permanent deformities, as well as septicaemia or gangrene.
Finally, and despite best practices followed by the majority of plastic surgeons, the long-term consequences of the Brazilian butt lift are still unknown. What happens inside the body, after a few years, when a large amount of “dead” fat has been injected into the buttocks? Because yes, the Brazilian butt lift is an irreversible procedure. Unlike implants (silicone or saline), once the fat has been injected, it cannot be removed… A portion tends to be absorbed by the body (around 20%), but the rest is there for life.
What about the cost and recovery?
1- A very high price tag
The cost of a Brazilian Butt Lift varies, as it depends on factors such as the number of fat-harvesting areas, the amount of fat removed, the surgeon’s and anaesthetist’s fees, hospitalisation costs, and operating theatre fees. In France, prices typically range from €4,000 to €8,000. This steep price tag leads many women to seek surgery outside the European Union, particularly in Tunisia or Turkey, where the procedure costs on average between €2,500 and €4,500. However, these operations are carried out with no guarantee that medical and hygiene standards meet European requirements. It is also worth noting that the Brazilian butt lift is not covered by French national health insurance or supplementary health plans, as it is a purely cosmetic procedure.
2- A painful recovery
What about recovery? Patients are almost unanimous: it is painful. Not only does localised liposuction cause swelling and pain, but that’s nothing compared to the constraints placed on the newly shaped buttocks, which must not be compressed. As a result:
- sitting down is forbidden for a minimum of 2 to 6 weeks, to avoid damaging the freshly implanted fat cells in the buttocks;
- it is also forbidden to sleep on your back;
- wearing compression garments (compression tights or leggings) is compulsory for 2–3 weeks, to maintain the new contours of the buttocks while reducing the risk of swelling;
- it is inadvisable to ride a bicycle or motorbike for up to 3 months after the procedure;
- returning to a seated position must be done gradually and with the help of an ergonomic cushion;
- buttock massages should be avoided for at least 3 months after the procedure, as should physical exercise.
What are the alternatives to the Brazilian butt lift?
After such a realistic picture, it’s completely understandable if the BBL doesn’t appeal to you. Yet you still dream of showing off a beautiful, rounded, lifted bum. Don’t worry, there are other options. Alongside a balanced diet and targeted glute workouts, you can try our body care products.
It brings together 3 essential products:
- our new Firming Cream, 96% natural, enriched with Kigeline phytoactive, fenugreek and nourishing apricot oil;
- our now iconic Anti-Cellulite Massage Oil, with grapefruit and ivy extracts, to accompany your massages on areas prone to dimpling;
- our Anti-Cellulite Cupping Cup, which lets you recreate the pinch-and-roll technique at home, to care for areas affected by orange-peel skin on the buttocks.
This “beautiful bum” routine comes with a guide packed with tips to help you look after your bottom every day. And skip the surgery altogether!
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