What is the Brazilian Butt Lift and why are there so many warnings about it in 2018?

Early this year, at a clinic in Turkey, a woman tragically passed away mid surgery. She was undergoing a procedure known as Brazilian Butt Lift , AKA BBL. So, what is this surgery and why is it becoming so popular that some would risk their lives to have it?
 
BBL Surgery, made popular by social media stars and TV personalities, involves fat being liposuctioned from donor areas on a patient’s body, then injected into the patient’s buttocks.

What are the complications of Brazilian Butt Lift Surgery?
 
Severe complications arise when fat is injected below or into the gluteus muscles (of the buttocks) instead of just under the skin. Research has shown that fatal surgeries have resulted from fat being injected beneath the muscle. Particles of fat can enter the patient’s large gluteal veins within and under the muscles.  From there, the fat passes into the Inferior Vena Cava vein, which runs from the pelvis to the heart. Once fat reaches the heart it can create a blockage causing the heart to stop.
 
What should you know before undergoing BBL Surgery?
 
“There are techniques that prevent the risk of injecting fat into the patients veins in the gluteal muscles. This involves having knowledge of the anatomy of the gluteal muscles, the blood supply, and knowing how to avoid this potentially life threatening complication.”
 
Another issue with BBL is the fact that the survival of the fat is unreliable.  Some patients may experience loss of some otr even all of the =injected fat which can form cysts, hard lumps or even completely disappear.  If the fat does survive, it will increase and decrease as the patient gains or loses weight and may not be easily removed, especially if it has been injected into the muscles.  Many patients are having this procedure when they are young and slim.  As they get older, if they gain weight it may result in an appearance they are unhappy with, which cannot easily be rectified.
 
It is essential that you do your research before undergoing any surgery. Make sure your surgeon is a ‘Specialist Plastic Surgeon’ that is a member of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) and the Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS).
 
Before booking a consultation – check if your surgeon has the initials “FRACS” after his or her name.
 
You can read about the different levels of surgical qualifications in our past blog here.
 
Dr Mark Hanikeri is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon in Subiaco, Western Australia. The “Specialist Plastic Surgeon” title can only be used by surgeons in the recognised Specialty of Plastic Surgery. Mark has had 15 years’ experience as a specialist in cosmetic surgery of the body, breast and face.
 
Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Mark Hanikeri offers consultations in his Subiaco, Murdoch, Bunbury or Albany office.
 
 ​To book a consultation with Dr Mark Hanikeri please call 08 9380 0311.