What to Expect Before, During, and After the Procedure

Before the Procedure

• Consultation: During your consultation, we’ll discuss your goals, evaluate your body type, and determine if a BBL is right for you. You’ll receive a personalized surgical plan that outlines the best areas for fat removal and injection.
• Pre-Operative Instructions & Appointment: You will be provided with pre-surgery instructions, including stopping certain medications and avoiding smoking to promote optimal healing.
• Anesthesia: The procedure is performed under general anesthesia to ensure your comfort throughout the surgery.  The procedure is performed in our certified in-office surgical suite and anesthesia is administered by an experienced, certified anesthesia provider.  

During the Procedure

• Step 1: Liposuction: The first step is liposuction to harvest fat from the chosen areas. Small incisions are made, and the fat is carefully removed using a gentle technique to preserve fat cells for re-injection.
• Step 2: Fat Purification: The fat is then purified to remove any impurities, leaving only the healthiest fat cells for transfer.
• Step 3: Fat Injection: Using fine cannulas, the purified fat is strategically injected into your buttocks to create a more rounded, lifted, and natural-looking shape.

The entire procedure usually takes about 1-2 hours, depending on the number of liposuction areas and the amount of fat needed to be  transferred.

After the Procedure

• Recovery: Following your surgery, you will need to avoid sitting or lying directly on your buttocks for about 2 weeks. Special pillows and cushions can be used to help distribute pressure.  Pain typically is mild to moderate and swelling and bruising will be present for a few weeks. 
• Compression Garments: You will wear a compression garment to minimize swelling and help your body heal in its new shape.
• Downtime: Most patients can return to light activities in 1-2 weeks, but strenuous activities should be avoided for at least 4-6 weeks. Full recovery typically takes 6-8 weeks.

When Will I See Full Results?

While you’ll notice immediate changes in the shape of your body after surgery, the full results of your Brazilian Butt Lift will become visible once the swelling subsides and the fat cells have settled, which usually takes about 3-6 months. The final outcome will leave you with a naturally fuller, more lifted, and contoured buttock area.

BBL Frequently Asked Questions

Am I a good candidate for a BBL?

Ideal candidates for a BBL are individuals who have enough excess fat in other areas of their body for transfer and are looking to enhance the shape and size of their buttocks without implants. You should also be in good overall health and have realistic expectations about the results.

Is a Brazilian Butt Lift safe? 

When performed by a board-certified and experienced surgeon, the BBL is a safe procedure. At Des Moines Plastic Surgery, we take every precaution to ensure your safety, using advanced techniques to minimize risks and promote successful fat grafting.  Dr. Robbins only injects fat into the superficial layers of the buttocks and not deep in the muscle which has a higher complication rate.  He also uses an ultrasound device to precisely and safely inject the fat into the proper level within the buttocks.  This also decreases complications substantially. 

How long is the recovery period?

Most patients can resume light activities within 1-2 weeks. You will need to avoid sitting or lying directly on your buttocks for about 2 weeks to protect the fat grafts. Full recovery takes around 6-8 weeks.

How long do BBL results last? 

The fat transferred during a BBL is permanent; however, not all the fat cells will survive the transfer. Typically, about 60-80% of the fat remains after the healing process. Therefore, more fat is typically transferred than is needed to anticipate this.  Maintaining a stable weight can help ensure long-lasting results.

Will I have scars after the surgery? 

The incisions made for liposuction are very small, and any resulting scars are typically minimal and fade over time. We take great care to place incisions in discreet areas to make scarring as inconspicuous as possible.

How much does a Brazilian Butt Lift cost in Des Moines?  

The price of a Brazilian butt lift (buttock augmentation) at Des Moines Plastic Surgery, as with all cosmetic surgery procedures. varies patient to patient and is based on factors including complexity, number of procedures done in surgery, and total operating time of the procedure. During a consultation you will be accurately quoted for all procedures you are interested in discussing and that Dr. Robbins and the team determine you’re a candidate for. We offer financing options through CareCredit & PatientFi and many patients utilize these programs to pay for part or all of their procedures. You can learn more about these options during your consultation.