Perks, Risks, and Smell: The BIG Truth behind the Brazilian Butt Lift

WORDS LIM TECK CHOON

Back in March 2024, the procedure known as the Brazilian butt lift became a hot topic on TikTok when people discussed how women that had undergone the procedure tended to smell bad down there.

Dr Roger Tsai, a US plastic surgeon, explained on his TikTok channel that this unfortunate occurrence was caused by the fact that those women had more to reach around down there. As a result, it becomes difficult for them to clean up after using the toilet!

There’s no denying that the Brazilian butt lift, also known as BBL, has gained immense popularity in recent years, especially after celebrities and social media influencers had the procedure and showed off the results.

For those wishing for a less exaggerated BBL effect—big but not TOO big—there is the ‘skinny BBL’ option to consider.

WHAT EXACTLY IS THE BBL?

To put it simply, the BBL is a cosmetic procedure to add volume and shape to one’s buttocks.

Is the effect permanent?

This effect is semi-permanent, lasting for several years.

The longer one maintains a healthy body weight, the longer the effects may last.

Who can go for the BBL?

Not everyone is suitable to undergo this surgical procedure.

Ideally, they should be:

• Of adult age
• Are physically healthy
• Have enough body fat in other areas of their body to be used in the BBL procedure

THE BBL SURGICAL PROCEDURE

Phase 1: Fat Extraction

• The plastic surgeon removes fats from the areas of the patient’s body where fat is abundant.
• Typical areas include the abdomen, hips, and thighs.
• Typically, about 300 to 500 ml of fat will be needed for each side.
• The extraction process is called liposuction. Extracted fat is then processed and purified.

Phase 2: Fat Injection

• The purified fat is injected into certain areas of the buttocks.
• Injections are made in multiple layers within the muscle and glutes to give a smooth, natural-looking appearance.
• The patient will be sedated during this process.

BBL CAN BE BENEFICIAL

• BBL enhances the shape and size of one’s buttocks with their own fat, so the result typically looks and feels more natural compared to having a buttock implant.
• Another side benefit is that this procedure also slims down the areas from which the fat was extracted!

HOWEVER, BBL ALSO HAS POTENTIAL COMPLICATIONS

BBL is considered generally safe, but it should be performed by an experienced and licensed plastic surgeon.

Even then, there are some potential complications that one should discuss with the surgeon before deciding whether to go for the procedure:

• Infection
• Buttocks still look uneven or asymmetrical
• The body may reabsorb the transferred fat, causing the result to be less ‘large’ than expected
• Fluid or blood accumulates under the skin, causing lumps and/or bruising
• Nerve damage
• ‘BBL smell’ due to difficulties in cleaning the groin area

A NON-SURGICAL ALTERNATIVE TO BBL

FEATURED EXPERT DR SIEW TUCK WAH Medical Director Radium Medical Aesthetics

FEATURED EXPERT DR PHOON YI SHAN Medical Director Radium Medical Aesthetics

Dr Siew Tuck Wah reveals that the only proven method to lift and add volume to one’s buttocks is via the injection of fillers.

“Because we require quite large amounts,” he elaborates, “the best fillers to use are the biostimulators, which induces your body’s own collagen to grow.”

His colleague, Dr Phoon Yi Shan, adds: “With an experienced doctor, not only can you achieve a natural enhancement, the biostimulators can also be placed strategically to stimulate collagen for skin tightening.”

This has the benefits of improving crepey skin, stretch marks, and cellulite.

One example of such biostimulators is poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), which has been used extensively for buttock contouring.

More about the Procedure

Dr Siew goes on to explain that the procedure involves the aesthetic doctor injecting the fillers into a few points into one’s buttocks.

“2 to 3 sessions is usually required for optimal results,” he adds.

Please Be Careful When Considering This Option

“PLLA is not dissolvable,” Dr Siew says, “so your doctor must be experienced and confident enough to ensure proper and safe placement of the product.”

Otherwise, one may experience serious side effects such as vascular occlusion, or blood vessel blockage, and tissue death.

“On the other hand, in trained hands, the side effects are mild, such as swelling and soreness,” he says.