Gluteal Augmentation (Also Known as a Brazilian Butt Lift or BBL) Melbourne

Previously, the only way someone could increase the size of their buttocks and obtain the popular 'Brazilian butt' shape was to insert synthetic implants. Today, instead of artificial implants, it's possible to modify the size, shape and projection of the buttock area with a gluteal augmentation procedure often referred to as a Brazilian butt lift surgery (BBL).

Patients at Chelsea Cosmetics tend to choose a BBL over other methods, like implants, because it delivers more natural-looking results and has the dual benefit of slimming down different areas of the body from where the fat was removed. A butt lift is a popular cosmetic procedure because it is usually performed as an outpatient procedure (day surgery), so you can go home the same day to recover.

A Gluteal lift is a good option for healthy men and women who want to augment their buttocks without synthetic implants. Many patients contact us as they have been avoiding tight-fitting clothing such as tight-fitting jeans and feel self-conscious from a flatter backside and lack of projection. Others have battled their own genetics or weight fluctuations or the natural ageing process and would like to change their appearance.

• People who have realistic expectations and a positive outlook on the results that can be achieved
• Those who are in good emotional and physical health.
• Have enough excess fat in other areas of their body to harvest for transfer.
• Can avoid sitting on their buttocks for several weeks.
• Have good skin elasticity, especially in the buttock and hip areas.

Besides enhancing a woman's figure and improving a man's masculine physique, the procedure creates a 'lifted' appearance making the buttocks look bigger. Also, it helps combat the inevitable signs of aging in the form of sagging and shapelessness. Other benefits include:

• Provides a beautiful rounded shape to the buttocks
• Offers women a curvier figure and men a stronger-looking physique.
• Highlights curves to the lower body
• Improves the way clothing fits.
• It is a dual procedure that enhances the buttocks and slims other body parts.
• It is a completely natural way to enhance the area
• If further weight is lost in the future, the body shape will change accordingly
• Ability to reshape to meet a patient's aesthetic requirements
• Provides fast results.
• Offers permanent results.
• Allows the surgeon to sculpt a patient's posterior to meet their aesthetic desires.

Like all surgical procedures, a BBL procedure carries risks, including infection, bleeding and nerve damage. Other complications associated with this procedure include the following:

• Blood pocket formation beneath the skin (hematoma).
• Under-correction.
• Over-correction.
• Prolonged inflammation.
• Fat reabsorption.
• Fat necrosis.
• Contour irregularities.
• Skin necrosis.
• Blood clots.
• Asymmetrical results.
• A negative reaction to the medications used during surgery.

It's also important to know that not all the injected fat survives, so you may not retain all of the initial fullness after the surgery. A skilled surgeon will consider this when determining the amount of fat to transfer.

The first step is an initial consultation with an experienced surgeon who will create a personalised plan. Upon arrival at our clinic, you will receive registration paperwork to complete. It is essential to provide accurate information about your medical history, current medications, treatments, herbal supplement use and daily vitamins. Furthermore, patients who drink alcoholic beverages regularly or participate in recreational drug use must inform their surgeon. This information is important because the surgeon needs to ensure any medications or products a patient receives during surgery will not interact with anything they are currently taking or using.

Patients who use products containing nicotine must discontinue using these products for at least 28 days before and 28 days after their procedure. Nicotine negatively affects the body's ability to heal and can lengthen the recovery process, which increases the likelihood of developing an infection,

The surgeon will review all the information and ask what you want to accomplish with a gluteal lift. If the surgeon believes you may be a good candidate for a Gluteal lift, the next step is a physical examination.

This examination includes viewing the areas you want the surgeon to sculpt when grafting fat to transfer into the buttocks. In addition, the surgeon may view and measure the area to determine if a BBL can provide the required result. Another factor that the surgeon considers is the elasticity of the patient's excess skin, especially in the harvesting areas.

A Brazilian Butt Lift isn't for everyone, but if you are a good candidate and decide to move forward, the surgeon may take photos and measurements, which is crucial in creating reference materials for creating a customised plan.

After receiving your personalised plan, the surgeon will speak to you about preparing properly for surgery. Patients must follow numerous directions prior to surgery which aids in you having a successful BBL procedure and recovery.

Certain medications must be discontinued at least ten days before and after surgery. Some of these medications are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, otherwise called NSAIDs. Blood thinning medications (e.g., Coumadin), aspirin and ibuprofen. Nonetheless, if you need to take the medication within this timeframe, acetaminophen (Tylenol) is a safe option. Patients taking doctor-recommended over-the-counter or prescription medications must speak with their physician before changing their medication dosage or use.

Before surgery, patients should stock up on healthy foods, drinks, and any items their surgeon recommends.

If the surgeon orders the patient's post-surgical medication, they should pick it up before surgery.

Patients receive directions on what they must do the night before their Brazilian Butt Lift from their surgeon.

Patients should arrive about 15 minutes before their scheduled appointment. Surgeons usually perform the procedure as an outpatient procedure. Since the patient receives anaesthesia during their Brazilian Butt Lift, they must arrive with a licensed driver. Patients who neglect to bring a driver must reschedule their Brazilian ButtLift. Using for-hire transportation after receiving anaesthesia is not a feasible option.

Once the patient checks in, a friendly staff member takes the patient to the pre-op area. While here, an experienced nurse prepares the patient for surgery. The nurse checks the patient's vitals and gives them a surgical gown to change into. In addition, the anaesthesiologist meets with the patient to answer any questions about the anaesthesia. The surgeon also visits the patient directly before their cosmetic procedure. At this time, patients are encouraged to ask their surgeon any last-minute questions they have.

Anaesthesia

Patients receive general anaesthesia or intravenous sedation (i.e., twilight sedation). General anaesthesia causes the patient to fall into a deep sleep. With twilight sedation, the patient is in lighter sleep, but they will not remember very much about surgery. The benefit of twilight sedation is that the patient is asleep but can easily respond. In addition, they feel less groggy upon waking.

Incisions

Tiny micro-sized incisions are made in the nominated fat harvesting areas.

Collecting the Fat for Grafting

A small, hollow tube (i.e., a cannula) attached to a vacuum or a sterile syringe is inserted through the small incisions to remove excess fat. Care is taken during fat grafting not to damage viable fat cells so there is enough remaining for the transfer.

Some patients receive drains. These drains help reduce inflammation by allowing excess fluid and blood to exit the body. Once the fat harvesting process is complete, the incisions are closed.

Purifying Before Transfer

Following its removal, the fat is taken to the lab, where it is placed inside a centrifuge. The centrifuge spins the vials of fat at a very high speed, which causes the healthy fat cells to separate from the weaker ones. With a sterile syringe, the strongest cells are collected for transfer. The fat transfer procedure takes from two to four hours to complete.

Transferring the Purified Fat to the Buttocks

The purified fat is injected into the buttocks strategically to achieve the look identified in the personalised plan. Since the body tends to reabsorb about 25% of the transferred fat, the surgeon may inject more fat than is required.

After Operation

Directly following surgery, the patient remains in the recovery area for observation. Our team monitors the patient's vitals until they awaken. Once awake, the patient receives information related to the recovery process, a prescription for pain medication, possibly an antibiotic and instructions to wear a compression garment.

Once all the patient's questions have been answered, they are released to a nominated driver to accompany them home. (Very occasionally, they may be requested to stay overnight for monitoring) The patient must refrain from putting pressure on their backside, so the driver must be a family member or friend to assist them in getting in and out of the vehicle and walking as a taxi or Uber won't provide sufficient support.

During the recovery period, the patient won't be able to sit or do any heavy lifting for a couple of weeks. Putting pressure on the newly transplanted fat cells could hamper their ability to create a blood supply. Without a blood supply, these cells will die.

Inflammation, tenderness and bruising afterwards are normal, as are discomfort in the areas where fat was extracted. The most pain will be experienced during the first week of recovery.

Some leakage may occur from the incision sites for the first few days of recovery. Some patients make these initial recovery days easier by trading their usual undergarments for adult diapers. In addition, patients should consider using old bedding to avoid staining their linens.

During the first two weeks of recovery, the bruises and swelling diminish. Any residual inflammation continues to decrease for another four weeks. Patients can sleep on their sides (or sleep on your stomach), and standing while performing daily activities is okay.

The patient may receive a special pillow for a modified sitting position.

Most patients return to their routine activities within three weeks of their procedure. However, even at this point, patients are to refrain from lifting heavy objects and strenuous exercises. These restrictions remain in place until the surgeon releases the patient to perform these activities.

Following the instructions provided by the surgeon is the only way to ensure the best possible result and a quick recovery.

If you are considering buttock augmentation (BBL surgery) in Melbourne, contact our team for more information and to book a no-obligation consultation at our accredited day surgery. Chelsea Cosmetics encourages people to ask questions and is always keen to explain the benefits of any other supplemental procedures you might be interested in. We look forward to speaking with you.

Call +61 3 8822 3472. 

Or send us your questions here.

*All cosmetic surgery is invasive and carries risk

**Individual results vary as the outcomes experienced by one person do not necessarily reflect the outcomes that other people may experience, due to many factors, including the individual’s genetics, diet and exercise.