According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Brazilian butt lifts grew in popularity by 26% from 2015 to 2016, inspired in part by celebrities with memorable backsides, such as Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez. A Brazilian butt lift is a cosmetic enhancement procedure that uses fat grafting to add volume and shape to your buttocks, and it can make a dramatic difference in your figure.

If you’re thinking about a Brazilian butt lift so you can have all eyes on you when you hit the beach or gym, you may have a lot of questions about the procedure. Dr. Andrew Gear and the team at Providence Plastic Surgery & Skin Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, are happy to supply the answers.

Where do you get fat for the grafts?

The fat grafts for your buttocks come from removing excess fat in other areas of your body where you don’t want it anymore. The most common site for fat donation is your lower abdomen.

You and Dr. Gear decide ahead of time where you’d like the fat grafts harvested. If you don’t have excess fat on your abdomen, you can donate fat from your hips, inner thighs, or back, including bra fat.

The removed fat is purified for the grafting procedure and then strategically injected into pre-selected areas of your buttocks to add volume and shape.

Could my body reject the fat grafts?

One of the advantages of using fat grafts for a Brazilian butt lift is that they’re autologous, which means they’re taken from your own body. Because the grafts are already a part of you, your body won’t reject them or have an adverse immune response. The fat can’t cause an allergic reaction, either.

Do I stay awake during the Brazilian butt lift procedure?

You can choose from either general anesthesia, which means you’re unconscious during the fat transfer, or a light intravenous anesthesia that lets you sleep or drowse during your operation. You also receive local anesthetics during the liposuction part of the procedure.

Can a Brazilian butt lift resolve my cellulite, too?

The fat grafts in a Brazilian butt lift make your buttocks look smother. However, if you have severe cellulite, the Providence Plastic Surgery & Skin Center team may recommend other treatments to help resolve it. Dr. Gear may also recommend laser treatments to improve the quality and elasticity of your skin.

What else is required to reshape my buttocks?

Depending on your needs, Dr. Gear may perform other procedures to create the most beautiful, flattering, and natural-looking buttocks for your body type.

For instance, removing excess fat from your buttocks, such as in the “banana roll” portion that hangs underneath your buttocks, can improve the shape, contour, and balance of your butt. You may also want a gluteal lift, which raises your buttocks to a more youthful and perkier position. Dr. Gear can remove redundant skin that makes your buttocks look droopy.

Before your Brazilian butt lift, you discuss the kinds of changes you want, and our team creates a custom-designed plan for you.

What’s involved in recovery from a Brazilian butt lift procedure?

For the first few days after your surgery, you should avoid sitting on your buttocks. For the next several weeks, your surgeon recommends not sitting for more than 15 minutes per hour. You must sit and sleep in positions that don’t put pressure on or shift your transferred fat cells.

You may want to purchase a Brazilian butt lift pillow that makes sitting more comfortable. The friendly team at Providence Plastic Surgery & Skin Center gives you complete aftercare instructions, including when to come in for your follow-up appointments.

How long does a Brazilian butt lift last?

A Brazilian butt lift can last for years. Be sure to follow your aftercare instructions for best results. Some of the fat dies within a few months after your surgery, but you retain a majority of the transferred fat. You may also get fat graft touch-ups every one to two years to maintain your firm and flattering shape.

Are Brazilian butt lifts dangerous?

All surgery has risks, which is why choosing the most expert and highly skilled plastic surgeon possible is the most important part of your procedure. Dr. Gear has many years of experience creating beautiful, safe, and memorable Brazilian butt lifts.

If you’re ready to get started or if you still have questions, call for a Brazilian butt lift consultation at Providence Plastic Surgery & Skin Center, or book your appointment using the online form.