What to expect after a Brazilian Butt Lift and how to ensure the best results
According to the most recent statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, more than 21,800 Brazilian Butt Lifts (BBLs) were performed in 2020. And the popularity of BBL surgery, which involves transferring unwanted fat from other areas of the body into the buttocks and hips for a curvier silhouette, shows no signs of slowing down.
The final outcome of BBL surgery and how quickly you’ll see results depends on individual factors (like genetics and fitness level) as well as the plastic surgery practice’s approach to both the surgery and aftercare.
At SqulptⓇ, we offer two BBL options: Petite BBL™ and XL BBLⓇ. Both are performed awake using our patented SoftSqulptⓇ technology—a safer, gentler approach to body shaping that involves no general anesthesia, very little downtime, and a fast and seamless recovery.
In this article, we break down what to expect at every stage of the BBL recovery journey , including a typical timeline for when you can get back to your regular exercise and work routine.
General recovery: What to expect
It’s important to keep in mind that everyone’s healing journey looks different. Remember to listen to your body, be kind to yourself as you heal.
As with any surgical procedure, you can expect to feel sore after your BBL treatment, like you worked out extra hard at the gym. But our safe, gentle and awake approach sets you up for a fast and seamless recovery.
The recovery with a SoftSqulpt BBL is typically much faster than a traditional BBL. You can go home the same day, resume light activity the following day, return to work within 3-10 days (3-5 for desk jobs, 5-10 for physically demanding jobs), and get back to your regular workout routine and lifestyle within 4-6 weeks.
Following your procedure, our aftercare team will be there to support you at every step and provide personalized tips to promote healing. Be sure to follow the advice of your surgeon and refer to our SoftHealing™ Aftercare guide, which contains all the information you’ll need as your body is recovering.
Week 1: Initial recovery phase
In the first few days after your BBL procedure, you can expect to feel sore, especially around the incision sites. Most discomfort can be managed with ibuprofen and/or acetaminophen (follow your surgeon’s advice for pain management and medication).
You can also expect some swelling and bruising, which is normal after any surgical procedure and a sign your body is healing. The degree of swelling and bruising is different for everyone, but you can expect it to peak within 5-7 days and to gradually improve from there.
NOTE: While sensations like bruising and swelling are normal and expected, there are some abnormal symptoms to watch out for. If you experience any of the following, be sure to reach out to your surgeon right away:
- Sudden chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Excruciating pain
- Signs of infection (pus, oozing)
- High fever
On the day of your procedure, we’ll provide you with a BBL pillow, which you should use for sitting for the first 3 weeks to elevate the bottom and alleviate pressure. After 3 weeks, you can stop using the BBL pillow and transition to sitting normally.
When it comes to exercise and movement, it’s important to start walking as soon as possible after your procedure to get your body moving and improve circulation. Aim for a gentle 15-minute walk once a day for the first week (or more frequently if you feel up to it) but be sure to avoid lifting heavy objects and any kind of vigorous activity for the first week.
Weeks 2-4: Easing back into regular activities
By 2-4 weeks, the majority of discomfort, swelling and bruising will have resolved and you can start to gently get back to your regular exercise routine, but don’t overdo it. We strongly recommend you avoid high-intensity workouts for the first six weeks as you don’t want to burn fat while the transferred fat is still settling.
After 3 weeks, you can stop using your BBL pillow and start transitioning to sitting normally, increasing your sitting intervals by 15-20 minutes each day.
Weeks 4 to 6 and beyond: Seeing final results
Even though you’re still in the early stages of healing, you’ll start to feel like yourself again by weeks 4-6. We find that 6 weeks is a turning point for most patients. This is when the vast majority of swelling, bruising and soreness will have resolved.
By weeks 4-6, you can return to your regular exercise routine, including HIIT workouts, and you’ll no longer have to worry about any sitting, sleeping or other guidelines and limitations.
By week 6, the majority of fat from the BBL fat transfer will have settled permanently, and the bottom and liposuctioned areas will appear more contoured, so you can see the final results of your BBL. Now that you’ve come this far, it’s important to focus on maintaining a healthy lifestyle and weight, so you can enjoy long-lasting results.
Additional tips for a smooth BBL recovery
Now that we’ve outlined what to expect after your BBL procedure, here are some additional tips to speed up your recovery and enjoy optimal results.
Make sure you have support.
Arrange for a friend or family member to pick you up after your procedure and stay with you for the first few days to help you shower, etc.
Prioritize rest.
Getting plenty of rest is a must while your body is healing. Ahead of your surgery, try to set up your hotel room, and your bedroom at home, so that you have everything you need close by and create a soothing environment to promote sleep.
Nourish your body.
Staying hydrated is essential to avoid any post-surgical complications. It’s also important to consume enough calories (at least 2,000 a day) and nutrient-rich foods to fuel your immune system while you’re healing. We recommend a low carb, high protein diet with lots of fruits and vegetables.
Get moving.
During your BBL recovery, it’s important to listen to your body and adjust your fitness routine as needed. The goal is to start slowly and build up as you start to feel better, keeping your body moving without over-exerting yourself.
Wear your compression garment
Following your surgery, we’ll fit you with a compression garment, which helps to manage swelling, reduce discomfort, and support your skin as it heals and settles into its new shape. You should wear the garment full time for 48 hours, then remove it on the morning of the second day for your first shower. From there, you’ll need to wear it for two weeks, taking it on and off for showering and bathing.
Sleep on your side.
Following a Petite BBL or XL BBL procedure, we recommend sleeping in a side sprawl position with a tilt forward towards your tummy for the first 6 weeks. This alleviates pressure simultaneously from the bottom and hip dips. Placement of an additional pillow between your knees, and one or two around and under your midsection, will add extra comfort and support.
Wear comfortable clothes.
Soft, loose-fitting clothes are your best friend while you’re recovering. Stay away from tight clothes that overly compress your treatment area(s) and avoid any outfits with a tight band or belt that pinch the skin as they can leave permanent marks or depressions. After six weeks, you can go back to more form-fitting clothes.
Avoid cigarettes and alcohol
To qualify for BBL surgery, you need to have healthy blood flow. That means you should avoid smoking four weeks before and after your awake BBL treatment. Nicotine constricts blood vessels and shuts down blood flow, which can lead to complications and prolong your recovery. You should also avoid alcohol for four weeks after your treatment.
Follow the advice of your surgeon.
This is essential in your recovery journey. Be sure to follow your surgeon’s aftercare instructions and attend your follow-up appointments to make sure you’re healing properly. And take any medications prescribed by your surgeon as needed to manage any discomfort.
Elevate your look and confidence with a SoftSqulpt BBL
Are you considering BBL surgery and want to learn more about what sets our SoftSqulpt technology apart? Schedule a free consultation with a Squlpt plastic surgeon and body consultant, who will walk you through what to expect and develop a treatment and recovery plan that is right for you.
Browse our before & after gallery for beautiful BBL results we’re proud of.
