We received this question from Leila during a recent live Instagram chat: “When can you lie on your back after a BBL?” This is a great question because it’s important to understand how putting pressure on the area too soon can impact the healing process and results you see.
Brazilian butt lifts (BBL) are rapidly becoming one of the most popular and common plastic surgery procedures in America. While implants similar to the ones employed in breast augmentation surgery can be used for butt lift (BBL) surgeries, fat transfers are far more common. In this type of Brazilian butt lift procedure, fat cells are harvested from the flanks, back, thighs or belly using liposuction for the fat removal, either as a stand-alone procedure or as part of a mommy makeover, which may also include tummy tucks, thigh lift, breast lift and other procedures depending on the patient. This helps reduce fat in these areas and provides the raw material for the BBL, which is safer and gives a more natural look and feel because it’s tissue the patient’s body produced.
After the belly fat, which is by far the most common site, is removed, it is purified and reintroduced into the patient’s body as quickly as possible to maximize the cellular fat survival rate. The newly transferred fat cells adhere to the existing adipose tissue, forming fat grafts which help create the buttock size and shape the patient is looking for.
The typical recovery times for Brazilian butt lift surgery vary by patient. It’s a good idea not to squish the area flat right away, as this can impact the healing process and deliver less than optimal final results. At Atlantic Coast Aesthetics, we usually tell patients to stay off the area and not sit on your buttocks for two weeks, insofar as possible. This may mean using a “BBL booty pillow” in circumstances where sitting for long periods cannot be avoided, such as on an airplane.
We recommend stomach sleeping after BBL surgery. Sleeping on your stomach helps keep pressure off the area, which promotes healing in conjunction with other essential aftercare such as massaging the area and ensuring you wear the right garments, such as your prescribed compression garment, to aid in BBL recovery. If you’re already used to sleeping on your front, this will be much less challenging than if you’re not one of the natural stomach sleepers. In these cases, wedge cushions, a body pillow or special BBL pillow can help keep pressure off the area during the recovery process.
Other sleeping tips include removing the center cushion from a sofa and putting a BBL pillow in its place to lend a little support while avoiding direct pressure on the surgical site. Some patients find sleeping on a massage table works better, at least for the first portion of the recovery period. ACA has patient resource information to help you choose the best options to get you the best possible results after your Brazilian butt lift surgery, and the best possible results too!
Dr. Thomas A. Pane, ACA’s Chief Medical Officer and founder, is a plastic surgeon double board certified in both emergency and cosmetic surgery. We offer in-person and “hybrid” consultations which combine in-person and virtual consultation elements. Some of the services he and ACA offer include:
- arm lift
- breast reduction
- brow lift
- cellulite treatment
- eyelid lift
- facial rejuvenation, dermal fillers and remediation of acne scars
- fat reduction
- male breast reduction (treatment of gynecomastia)
- mini facelift
- neck lift
- nose job (rhinoplasty)
- skin resurfacing
- skin tightening
- stretch mark revision
- vaginal rejuvenation
- vaser liposuction
To learn more about how ACA and Dr. Pane can help you achieve the body and look you’ve always dreamed of, click here to contact us through our website or call us at 561-513-4763. We’re always happy to discuss your cosmetic surgery options and goals to make sure you get the best possible care. Remember, at Atlantic Coast Aesthetics, we believe the only bad question is the one you DON’T ask!