Dr. Saber’s Blog
The Brazilian butt lift (BBL) — a complex plastic surgery procedure that combines liposuction with fat grafting — has now enjoyed over a decade of popularity. As a result, we now have a lot more data on how the results of this procedure change over time.
Like all other body contouring procedures, BBL results are not entirely permanent.
There are several reasons for this, including weight fluctuations. And we all know more about rapid weight loss with the increased use of injectable GLP-1 weight loss medications like Ozempic (hence the terms Ozempic Butt and Ozempic Face), Wegovy, Mounjaro, and others.
Other reasons that changes happen over time include genetics, pregnancy, and natural aging. All these factors can contribute to excess skin and shift the size and location of fat cells, naturally altering the results of your BBL procedure.
So, is BBL sagging truly unavoidable? How much can we do to counteract it? And how soon should the work start?
A Brazilian butt lift is a cosmetic procedure that allows us to reshape the waist, hips, and butt areas. To do this, plastic surgeons will:
This surgery requires expertise and artistry in equal measure. A surgeon’s technique and experience are invaluable in creating graceful and predictable BBL results.
Brazilian butt lift surgery is notorious for its long healing process. Unlike other cosmetic procedures, such as a rhinoplasty or breast augmentation, where the difference is often visible as soon as the bandages are removed, the results from a BBL surgery will progressively set in over weeks or months.
First, swelling on any areas of the body from which fat was extracted will need to go down, increasing recovery time. In addition, not all the transferred fat cells will take: they may become initially larger, giving the butt a taut appearance, and then the body will reabsorb between 30%-50%.
During this period, it’s important to be patient and maintain realistic expectations. After four to six months, you’ll start to see the final results from your sculpting — assuming you maintain a stable weight and take good care of your skin.
Human skin is naturally elastic: it stretches and contracts as we age, get pregnant, or with fluctuations in our weight. This elasticity keeps buttocks, breasts, and other bulkier areas perky and firm, even as the grafted fat cells swell and shrink.
Good skin elasticity allows transferred fat to settle more evenly, and stretch marks are less likely to develop.
Unfortunately, skin elasticity is neither uniform nor eternal. It depends on your body’s ability to produce collagen and elastin, two proteins that provide structure and firmness to the skin. Several factors can lower elastin and collagen production, such as:
Even under perfect circumstances, most women will see the shape of the buttocks slowly change over time, and those who have undergone a BBL are not exempt from this.
Overall, three factors can alter the results of a BBL.
The first is often expected and calculated. We know how the natural fat absorption process works, and an experienced board-certified surgeon will take this into account while planning the surgery. We know not all grafted fat will remain, and that fat cells shrink over time. This is why we warn every patient that their butt enhancement will look bigger at first, even if there’s no weight gain.
The second factor is truly unavoidable: aging. Collagen and elastin production dwindle as we age, causing progressive skin laxity. Meanwhile, gravity will progressively add to the damage by shifting fat cells down on already loose skin.
There are many lifestyle adjustments we can make and self-care strategies that can help keep our skin supple for longer.
Finally, there’s the impact of weight fluctuations. Weight loss and saggy skin often go together. Anyone who has undergone massive weight loss (30 pounds or more) will be familiar with this.
But smaller, frequent fluctuations in weight can also take their toll on skin elasticity. Even minor weight gain can stretch our skin, and after weight loss, it may take some time for our skin to return to its original size. This is usually no big deal when you’re 25 or 30, but as we approach menopause, the effects of yo-yo dieting will become more visible, and weight management will become a priority in order to maintain skin elasticity.
What can you do to preserve your BBL results?
Although not all surgeons take this approach, the team at our clinic believes that the work to prevent a sagging BBL should start during a patient’s initial consultation. We always consider skin elasticity when planning a Brazilian butt lift procedure.
A patient with good skin elasticity is a good candidate for a more ambitious procedure, as we can graft more fat cells. We can also work alongside a dermatologist to make skin firmer before a BBL.
The days and weeks immediately after surgery are also important. Many of our post-op instructions — such as wearing compression garments or applying ice packs — will help your skin adapt better and prevent stretch marks or saggy sections.
Although not all surgeons take this approach, the team at our clinic believes that the work to prevent a sagging BBL should start during a patient’s initial consultation. We always consider skin elasticity when planning a Brazilian butt lift procedure.
A patient with good skin elasticity is a good candidate for a more ambitious procedure, as we can graft more fat cells. We can also work alongside a dermatologist to make skin firmer before a BBL.
The days and weeks immediately after surgery are also important. Many of our post-op instructions — such as wearing compression garments or applying ice packs — will help your skin adapt better and prevent stretch marks or saggy sections.
Over the years following cosmetic surgery, maintaining a stable weight is the best way to prevent saggy skin. However, if weight loss is necessary, a steady and sustainable approach is key. A nutritious, balanced diet, together with a healthy exercise routine, will be more beneficial and sustainable in the long term, while crash diets and radical programs should be avoided.
Generally, a healthy lifestyle will protect your skin and preserve your body’s ability to produce collagen. We cannot overstate the importance of using sunscreen and steering clear of nicotine.
For women interested in more proactive measures, non-invasive skin tightening treatments can help you achieve long-lasting results. These include:
These treatments may not require any incisions but should still be performed by a licensed medical practitioner. Cheaper, more routine alternatives, such as firming creams or massages, are also available, but the American Academy of Dermatology warns about their effectiveness.
Throughout our lives, we’re bound to face many body-altering circumstances caused by events as diverse as pregnancy or career or lifestyle changes. In such cases, the most effective way to combat flab after losing weight may be to undergo further surgery.
A buttock or gluteal lift is the most common surgical procedure to correct a sagging BBL. This surgery can be best described as a tummy tuck for the butt: instead of increasing their size, it removes some of the skin around the buttocks, tightening and creating a more toned look.
CALL (818) 770-7050 OR CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE ONLINE
Dr. Sepideh Saber, MD, FACS, is a board-certified plastic surgeon who distinguishes herself through her extensive training and caring outlook for patients of all genders, ages, and walks of life. Her sensitive feminine approach allows her to achieve optimal results for her patients, both aesthetically and emotionally.
Dr. Saber began her career at Stanford University School of Medicine, completed her reconstructive and plastic surgery residency at the University of Southern California, and then completed a fellowship at New York University.
Call (877) 205-4100 to request a consultation or schedule a consultation online.
Dr. Saber’s practice is located in Encino, CA, and is used by patients throughout the Los Angeles area. We are also convenient to Encino, Woodland Hills, Sherman Oaks, Calabasas, Burbank, Glendale, Hidden Hills, Agoura Hills, Northridge, North Hollywood, Malibu, Topanga, Canoga Park, Reseda, Valley Glen, Chatsworth, West Hills, Winnetka, Universal City, Bel Air, Beverly Hills, Downtown Los Angeles, Silverlake, and Echo Park.
Yes, taking Ozempic (semaglutide) can cause you to lose fat in your buttocks, including fat from a BBL. This may reduce the size and shape of your BBL results since Ozempic leads to overall body fat loss. Maintaining a stable weight is the best way to preserve your BBL.
You can take the following steps to prevent your BBL (Brazilian butt lift) from sagging:
Consistent healthy eating and exercise habits and proper care are key to maintaining your BBL results and preventing sagging over time.
Ozempic, a medication used for diabetes and weight loss, works by helping people eat less and lose weight quickly. However, when people rapidly lose weight with Ozempic, they tend to lose muscle along with fat.
Studies have shown that, on average, about 25%-40% of the weight lost while taking Ozempic can come from muscle mass, not just fat. This is similar to what happens with other forms of rapid weight loss, whether from diet, surgery, or other medications. Losing muscle can make you feel weaker and may affect your ability to do everyday activities.
The changes in body shape from Ozempic are most noticeable in areas where fat loss is more visible, such as the face and waistline. Rapid or significant weight loss can reduce the fat that normally gives the face a smooth, full appearance, resulting in what is sometimes called an Ozempic face — a hollowed or sagging look due to the loss of facial fat.
Similarly, loose or sagging skin may develop, especially in areas of the body where fat is lost quickly, like the abdomen or buttocks, potentially affecting the look of a BBL. While these changes reflect the effectiveness of Ozempic in reducing body fat, they can also alter a person’s appearance in ways that some may find concerning.
Medical websites like WebMD, Medical News Today, and Drugs.com provide detailed information about common and serious side effects of Ozempic, such as nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and rare but severe reactions like pancreatitis or allergic responses.
Sources
Does Ozempic affect your buttocks? What to know about “Ozempic butt”
Effects of Antidiabetic Drugs on Muscle Mass in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Body Contouring Following Massive Weight Loss – PMC
New Ultherapy method: Utilizing novel surgical and anatomical concepts yields outstanding results
Smoking and skin: a study of the physical qualities and histology of skin in smokers and non-smokers