Medical description
The Brazilian Butt Lift, or buttock fat grafting, combines two stages: liposuction of donor areas (abdomen, flanks, back, thighs), which slims the waist, followed by reinjection of the purified fat into the buttocks to improve their volume, projection and contour. It uses your own tissue, without implants. Part of the injected fat is naturally reabsorbed over the first few months, so the final volume is not immediately visible. For safety reasons, the fat must be injected exclusively into the subcutaneous layer, never into the gluteal muscle, in order to prevent fat embolism. The achievable volume depends on the fat available and is assessed by the surgeon after examination.
What the procedure can correct
- Flat buttocks or buttocks lacking projection
- Hollows on the sides of the hips (hip dips)
- Asymmetry of the buttock area
- Insufficiently defined waist
- Fat deposits on the abdomen and flanks
- Loss of shape due to age or weight loss
The ideal candidate
A person in good health, at a stable weight, with sufficient fat reserves for harvesting and wishing for a natural buttock augmentation; for very slim people, the surgeon may discuss other options. It is essential to accept the post-operative instructions, in particular avoiding prolonged sitting on the buttocks for several weeks. Stopping smoking is strongly recommended, and the procedure is not advised during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
The technique
The fat is first harvested by liposuction using fine cannulas, then decanted or filtered to isolate the viable fat cells. It is then reinjected through small incisions, in multiple thin layers, exclusively into the subcutaneous tissue above the gluteal muscle: intramuscular or deep injection is prohibited because of the risk of fat embolism, and ultrasound guidance may be used to check the injection plane. The procedure is performed under general anaesthesia. A compression garment is worn over the suctioned areas, and a special cushion prevents any direct pressure on the buttocks.
Your stay, step by step
- 1
Arrival and consultation
Welcome by your coordinator, examination and pre-operative consultation with the practitioner, who confirms the treatment plan.
- 2
Procedure
General · 3–5 h
- 3
Monitoring in the clinic
Hospital stay: 1–2 nights. The care team looks after your comfort and post-operative monitoring.
- 4
Check-up before departure
Follow-up visit, care, instructions and prescription before your flight home. Recommended stay: 10–12 days.
- 5
Remote follow-up
Back home, you send your photos and stay in touch with the practitioner through your patient area, for up to 12 months.
Risks and recovery
The usual after-effects include swelling, bruising and pain in the donor areas and buttocks, as well as partial reabsorption of the injected fat, which may lead to asymmetry or less volume than hoped for. Other complications are possible: infection, fat necrosis with nodules or oil cysts, seroma, irregularities, venous thrombosis. The most serious complication is fat embolism, rare but potentially fatal, linked to injection into or beneath the gluteal muscle, which makes strictly subcutaneous injection an absolute safety rule. Your surgeon will explain these in detail during the consultation.
The information on this page is provided for guidance only and does not replace a medical consultation. Every procedure carries risks; the indication is made by the practitioner after examination, and results vary from person to person.
Frequently asked questions
Why must the injection remain subcutaneous?
The large blood vessels of the buttock area are located in and beneath the muscle. Injecting at this level can allow fat to enter the bloodstream and cause a fat embolism; injecting only beneath the skin, above the muscle, greatly reduces this risk.
When will I be able to sit normally?
You will generally be asked to avoid sitting directly on your buttocks for several weeks, using a special cushion when it cannot be avoided. Your surgeon will tell you the period appropriate to your case.
What about the flight home?
The flight is planned for the end of the recommended stay, after the post-operative check. An offloading cushion, compression stockings and walking around the aircraft regularly are recommended to protect the grafted fat and limit the risk of phlebitis.
