Modern surgery has made getting the ideal body within reach of almost anyone, as long as you’re willing to put in the effort. And if you’re getting one procedure, you may be tempted to get two or more simultaneously. You’re already going under, so why not make the most of it, right?
Two of the most popular procedures include the Brazilian butt lift (BBL) and the tummy tuck. The butt lift uses fat from the patient’s donor sites like hips, thighs, and abdomen to create smooth, spherical buttocks. On the other hand, the plastic surgeon sucks off fat from the abdomen to get a flatter stomach for the tummy tuck.
So, combining the two seems like a match made in heaven. One procedure needs donated fat, while the other produces fat. But is combining the two a good idea?
What Is a Tummy Tuck?
A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure that tightens the abdominal wall muscles. The surgeon will remove fat from the middle and lower abdomen to further flatten your abdominal area in many cases.
You must know that the primary purpose of the tummy tuck is the tightening of abdominal muscles, not the removal of fat via liposuction. Liposuction removes small fatty deposits, while a tummy tuck consists of a more serious surgical procedure.
How Is a Tummy Tuck Performed?
The tummy tuck procedure starts with general anesthesia like any major plastic surgery. The surgeon first makes a large incision above the pubic area, extending from one hip bone to the other. Then they make a second cut that frees the navel from the muscles and fat around it, allowing them to place it in the correct spot after the surgery.
Once the surgeon has made the incisions, they free the skin from the muscle and fat and lift the skin flap to reveal the abdominal muscles. The surgeon may perform some liposuction to remove excess fat from the abdominal area if necessary. The surgeon will also tighten the abdominal muscles by pulling them together and stitching them in place. This creates a trimmer waistline, while the liposuction addresses any forward bulging.
The surgeon completes the tummy tuck by cutting a new hole in your navel and stitching it in place. They’ll then stitch the incisions, insert a drain, and apply dressings to the wounds. The recovery process takes between three to six weeks, and patients tend to experience some discomfort during the healing process.
Tummy Tuck Benefits
Tummy tucks offer the best benefits to people who are already in good shape, but suffer from stubborn fat deposits, stretched skin, or loosened muscles.
The main benefits of a tummy tuck include removing excess skin after significant weight loss or restoring muscle tightness to women after pregnancy. A tummy tuck can also improve skin elasticity, which often suffers during rapid weight changes, such as pregnancy or dramatic weight loss or gain.
What Is a Brazilian Butt Lift?
More and more women want to get better curves, and they often consider Brazilian butt lift surgery as one of the best ways to do so. Many women start out going to the gym and doing hundreds of squats, only to find the results much more subtle than expected. This lack of progress stems from women struggling to put on excessive amounts of muscle while still experiencing fat burn from the exercise.
A butt enhancement uses the patient’s tissue to add size and shape, unlike breast augmentation. In the case of a breast lift, the surgeon will use silicone or other materials to achieve the desired shape, which leads to the potential for rejection and increased risk of complications. Since the butt enhancement uses the patient’s own tissue, the woman experiences less risk of complications and a much faster recovery time than for breasts.
What Is Involved in My Brazilian Butt Lift?
While BBL surgery originated in Brazil, it’s rapidly spread to LA, Miami, Florida, and other fashion hot spots as the cosmetic surgery of choice.
Brazilian butt augmentation transfers fat cells from the patient’s own fat deposits to the buttocks. The surgeon will use liposuction to remove fat from fatty areas, like the hips, thighs, and waist. In some instances, the patient must put on weight before the procedure to ensure enough fat exists for a good result!
Once the surgeon has the appropriate amount of fat, they’ll inject the fat into strategic areas to achieve the ultimate butt enhancement. The buttocks will become larger, rounder, and more pronounced, while the patient also benefits from fat loss in other areas of the body.
Benefits of a Brazilian Butt Lift
The main benefit of the Brazilian buttocks lift is that it helps people achieve their desired hourglass shape with minimal effort. The ability to control the contouring of the fat also ensures that patients will know exactly what to expect without having to deal with uneven glute muscle development or unsightly dimples.
Added benefits include a lower chance of rejection and allergic reactions since the surgery uses tissue from the patient. Since the buttock augmentation procedure doesn’t need large incisions, the patient also enjoys less chance of developing scars or infection and has a more manageable recovery period.
Who Is a Good Candidate for a Brazilian Butt Lift?
The best candidates for a buttock lift remain individuals already at their ideal weight and want to re-contour their bodies. Ideally, the candidate should have small pockets of fat around their body. Otherwise, they’ll have to put on a bit of extra weight before the surgery since only 50% of the fat survives the fat transfer.
As with most other surgeries, it’s best to have an intensive consultation with a Brazilian butt lift surgeon. They’ll help you understand the procedure, as well as control your expectations. Butt implants rely on fat cells surviving the process, but in general, only around 50% of the harvested fat survives. This means that much of the initial results stem from swelling, and you’ll only see the real impact after you’ve healed.
Can a Brazilian Butt Lift and a Tummy Tuck Be Done at the Same Time?
Technically, yes, it’s possible to combine the two procedures. However, some factors make the combined procedure less than ideal for most people. We recommend speaking to your surgeon to find out your best option.
When to Combine Procedures
The surgeon will take fat from several areas to serve as butt implants during a BBL. They’ll often take fat from the fatty deposit on the abdomen. This may be a good time to continue with the tummy tuck and tighten the walls of your abdomen, but it will require a lot of extra incisions and work and may delay your recovery time.
When Waiting Can Be Beneficial
In most cases, it is recommended to keep the two procedures separate. Both a tummy tuck and BBL are intensive surgeries with long recovery periods. Both will put a lot of strain on your body, and doing them at the same time will likely prolong your recovery. You’ll be in more discomfort, which will affect your healing and often delay your ability to return to normal activities.
Recovery After Brazilian Butt Lift and Tummy Tuck
BBL recovery requires you to stay off your back and buttocks, while a tummy tuck recovery involves staying off your abdomen and front. Combining the two procedures means that you’ll struggle to find a comfortable position where you’re not putting strain on either your front or your back.
Recovery from a tummy tuck takes four to six weeks before you can resume strenuous activities. The first few days after the surgery are often very uncomfortable, and you’ll probably have to take some pain medication to control the discomfort. Your surgeon will remove the surface stitches after seven days, and you’ll have to wear a compression garment to support your abdominal muscles for six weeks.
Recovery after a BBL is often much easier, and you’ll be able to return to regular household duties in a week. However, you probably will have to avoid prolonged sitting for several weeks after your butt body lift. You’ll have to avoid sitting on your bum or lying on your back for two weeks to get the best results.
In both cases, it’s vital to get enough rest during the recovery period. Taking it easy can speed up the healing schedule and ensure that you get the results you want. Your surgeon may also recommend that you start walking and doing mild forms of exercise a few weeks after your procedure, which will also speed up recovery and improve your mood.
While it seems intuitive to combine a butt lift and tummy tuck, the truth is actually the opposite. We’ve found that combining the two does more harm than good in most cases. Combined procedures will result in longer recovery times and will be significantly more uncomfortable. However, we’re always willing to discuss various options with patients and will work with you to find the ideal solution for your needs.
Schedule A Consultation With Dr. Salas Today
If you’re thinking about undergoing a tummy tuck, a BBL, or are interested in having both procedures performed, the first thing to do is schedule a consultation with Dr. Salas. Contact us today to schedule your appointment.
