Dr. Saber’s Blog

How Long Does BBL Recovery Take? The Stages of Brazilian Butt Lift Healing

A Brazilian butt lift, or BBL, is a surgical procedure that enhances the appearance of your derriere. It involves buttock augmentation, during which Dr. Saber will use fat from your body — usually from your hips, waist, or arms — to make your buttocks look more voluptuous, rounded, and defined.

A Brazilian butt lift procedure uses fat transfer to achieve natural-looking enhanced rear end. Dr. Saber also tailors BBLs to each of her patients, ensuring just the right amount of fat is transferred to achieve a curvy and shapely-looking backside and never a saggy diaper booty.

After Brazilian butt lift cosmetic surgery, you will enter a recovery period. Although the BBL recovery timeline can vary slightly from person to person, most patients take two to three months to heal completely. During Brazilian butt lift recovery, it’s crucial to follow all post-op instructions to avoid complications and achieve optimal results.

It’s essential to understand the plastic surgery procedure and the recovery process before having a BBL surgery. Being prepared for the recovery timeline and changes to your routine can help make the experience easier.

How Long Does BBL Recovery Take? The Stages of Brazilian Butt Lift Healing

What is the first week like after BBL surgery?

When you awake from general anesthesia after your BBL procedure, you will have a few sets of incisions. Some will be on the areas of the body used for the liposuction, while others will be in the buttock region. It’s normal to experience discomfort around the incision sites, with many patients reporting that the first week is the most difficult. Our surgeon will supply pain medication to manage any discomfort.  

You’ll be able to head home the same day as your surgery, and Dr. Saber will give you post-op instructions to follow until your follow-up appointments. As with other cosmetic procedures, you may notice bruising, numbness, swelling, and a general feeling of soreness around your incisions and injection sites. However, be watchful for any signs of infection, such as excessive bleeding, poor wound healing, or symptoms of a fat embolism. If you experience any concerning symptoms, seek medical attention right away.

Typically, two days after your surgery, your gauze dressing and compression garment can safely be removed so you can shower. You’ll need to replace the garment after showering. 

During the first week, you’ll need to get lots of rest and stay hydrated. It’s important to note that during rest, you won’t be able to sit down. To give you the best chance of getting your desired BBL results from the transferred fat cells, you’ll generally want to wait to sit normally until at least two weeks post-op.

Placing pressure on the buttocks too soon by sleeping on your back or sitting can lead to the reabsorption of fat cells and negatively impact blood supply to the area. Instead, it’s recommended that you sleep on your front or side and use a donut-shaped BBL pillow to take pressure off the buttocks when you have to sit.

Do I need to wear compression garments after a BBL?  

During the initial recovery period after your buttock augmentation, you’ll be advised to wear compression garments; these tight-fitting pieces of clothing help to encourage blood circulation and decrease swelling and are usually worn to support your buttocks and liposuction areas. Most patients wear their compression garments for about one month following their BBL procedure.

Post-surgical recovery – the first month

The majority of patients have their first follow-up appointment one week after surgery. Dr. Saber will check your progress to ensure everything is healing properly. By BBL recovery week two, many patients notice their soreness and pain beginning to subside. Sitting is still not recommended, but gentle movement can help maintain circulation, prevent blood clots, and improve your mood.

It is still important to avoid heavy lifting, high-impact exercise, and strenuous activities. You may resume light household chores and some day-to-day activities by week four of your BBL recovery time. Around this time, many patients can resume driving as well.

When can I exercise after a BBL?

The fat grafts need a stable environment to integrate into your buttock tissue and achieve proper blood supply. Working out too soon can damage the fat transfers, causing some of the cells to be reabsorbed, diminishing the volume and contouring of your buttocks.

Light exercise, like gentle, short walks, can be resumed in the first month. By month two, you will probably be cleared to increase your workout intensity; however, you should keep the pressure off your derriere and avoid directly targeting your buttock muscles.

Most patients receive the all-clear to resume all levels of physical activity, including strenuous exercise, three months post-op.

When can I go back to work after Brazilian butt lift surgery?

Dr. Saber recommends taking at least 10 days off for BBL recovery. Many patients are cleared to return to work between 10 and 14 days post-op, though this will depend on your job; returning to a desk job that requires sitting for prolonged periods is ill-advised. A few BBL recovery tips for returning to work after your procedure are:

  • Using a standing desk
  • Using a Brazilian buttock lift pillow
  • Requesting to work from home

What to expect during month two of BBL recovery

By week six, you should see a significant reduction in discomfort and much less swelling in the treated area. However, swelling won’t be completely gone until three to six months post-op.

While you may notice a difference in shape and contour early on, some of this difference could be due to swelling and fluid retention. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons states that as much as 20–40% of the grafted fat will be reabsorbed during recovery.

As you near the end of your Brazilian butt lift recovery timeline, you’ll start to see the final results of the procedure.

How long does a BBL last?

A Brazilian butt lift is categorized as a semi-permanent cosmetic procedure. The injected fat will join your pre-existing buttock fat deposits and will not wear off like injectables or need to be replaced like implants.

However, your buttocks will naturally change as you age or your weight fluctuates. Avoiding large swings in weight by staying active and maintaining a healthy diet helps your BBL results last as long as possible.

Talk to Dr. Saber about your Brazilian Butt Lift

Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Sepideh Saber, MD, FACS, offers a knowledgeable and sensitive female perspective regarding Brazilian butt lifts for patients of all ages, genders, and orientations. Her thorough and thoughtful approach before, during, and after cosmetic procedures helps ensure patient satisfaction with their health and appearance. 

Call (877) 205-4100 to request a consultation or schedule a consultation online.

The practice of Dr. Saber is located in Encino, CA, and serves 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.

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    Dr. Sepideh Saber, MD, FACS

    👩🏻‍⚕️ Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
    🏫 Stanford/USC/NYU Trained
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    ✨A beautiful breast reduction by Dr. Saber! She is only 4 weeks Post-Op and we are absolutely thrilled with her results✨

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    Throwback to 2019! ☺️👶🏻❤️
    ✨ Our beautiful patient came in for a Tummy Tuck, Lipo of Abdomen and Flanos, and Fat Transfer to the hips . ✨

Our Tummy Tuck procedure reduces excess skin, tissue, and fat around the abdomen as well as tightening abdominal muscles, while Liposuction uses a suction technique to remove the fat from specific areas of the body that holds onto fat deposits.

Liposuction is not a substitute for our Tummy Tuck. However, depending on our patient both can go great together and gives amazing results!

Her after photo is 6 weeks post op. 

Give us a call to set up a complimentary consultation with #DrSaber who will create a customized plan for you!

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    ✨ Our patient is 4 weeks post Tummy Tuck and Breast Reduction.

Her scars are a bit fresh. Overtime they will heal and become less visible. ✨

Give us a call to set up a complimentary consultation with #DrSaber who will create a customized plan for you!
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  • What patients say about Dr. Saber

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    Over 16 Reviews

    I was fortunate to find Dr. Saber after researching board-certified surgeons who specialize in breast cancer reconstruction revision surgery. I knew I was in good hands from the moment I spoke with the lovely and efficient Marlene, Dr Saber's office manager. Dr Saber patiently listened to my concerns and, after examining me, explained what I could realistically expect the outcome to be from another surgery. She also explained to me that she would need to review my previous surgery notes before we could discuss a possible further surgery, which I found comforting and highly ethical. I also discussed a couple of other procedures that I would like done, including fat removal from my large upper arms that had caused me great embarrassment for several years. Dr. Saber is an excellent surgeon who is incredibly kind and genuine. She truly understands the female body and the emotional aspect of body insecurities yet, she is transparent about what can and cannot be done and takes time to discuss realistic expectations and outcomes. My breast reconstruction revision surgery will take place in the New Year, but in the meantime, I have the most fabulous upper arms that I recently flaunted in a strapless dress (something I have not done in years). Dr Saber is truly one of a kind, and I still cannot believe how fortunate I am to have found her. I highly recommend Dr Saber.

    Linda DeCarlo November 29, 2023

    I don’t have enough wonderful words to describe Dr Saber and Marlene! I had a tummy tuck done this year and from start to finish the entire experience was amazing. Marlene is always so helpful and works so hard to make every detail a breeze for you. When I had my consultation with Dr Saber I was at a point of complete agony with my body. She instantly took that stress and frustration off my shoulders! As a woman not being heard by doctors for years I left that consultation with happy tears knowing I had finally found my Dr. It was a major surgery and I felt completely zen and at peace going in because she really does make you feel that safe. I didn’t think I would ever look the way I do now! She gave me the gift of having the body I kept fighting for. I will never stop recommending her.

    Monica Prusa October 9, 2023

    I saw Dr. Saber when I broke my wrist. I ended up having to have surgery. She did an excellent job and I am healing nicely. She was very professional, but was also very kind and compassionate. I would highly recommend her!!

    Sandy Schaupp September 13, 2022

    I LOVED DR SABER!!! There are a few reasons why I chose her. One was because she’s a female Doctor that was my goal who also did a good job (which I was able to confirm with all her before and after photos) and what sold me was my safety in mind. She made me feel like I was in the best hands ever along with Marlene who coordinated everything THANK YOU LADIES! Dr Saber helped me get back the body I have always desired. I had a lot of stomach fat from weight gain and I lost weight so a lot of my weight was in my front lower and upper abdomen. Now I have a super beautiful curvy body like an hourglass after a tummy tuck and lipo she did. She understood the assignment hahaha . I’m 32 years old no kids just wanted to enjoy my younger body looking and feeling beautiful and she really took good care of me. Even after hours I had an emergency due to my fault but she was there and got back to me very quickly and I’m very grateful. I also think her work says a lot because I stopped taking pain medication on the 3rd day after surgery and was fine with very minimal pain I was able to tolerate the healing process. Highly recommend going with her I just had a wonderful experience and would do it all over again if I had too. Maybe after I have kids. Thanks Dr Saber and team <3

    STEPHANIE d July 15, 2022

    Dr.Saber is by far one of the best plastic surgeons. I love how she takes her time to explain any procedure to the patients understanding. She always makes sure to answers any and all questions.From fillers to body contours she’s the one you want.

    Katherine Melara February 15, 2022

    Dr Saber is amazing! She is caring and very informative. I went in for fillers and she explained procedure step by step. I highly recommend her and look forward to future visits.

    Amanda Vazquez December 18, 2020

    Dr. Saber was friendly, knowledgeable and professional. She took time to listen, answer all my questions and was forthright in her recommendations. Her staff was friendly and helpful. I was very happy with the results and plan on going back. If you are looking for a first rate professional experience look no further she is the doctor for you!

    T R December 18, 2020

    Dr. Saber is one of a kind plastic surgeon with a heart of gold. She is a well verse plastic surgeon that puts her patient's needs before anything else. She genuinely cares about every single patient, and her work speaks for itself. I notice every post-operative result on her Instagram (@saberplasticsurgery) the patients have this glow that radiates through. I have been going to Dr. Saber for my Botox for the past 3 years, and love the results every time. I know who I will be going to for any future plastic surgery needs, and will confidently refer family and friends to Dr. Saber for any Botox, fillers, and plastic surgery consultations.

    Rudy Garcia December 16, 2020

    I have nothing but great things to say about Dr. Saber! I am so pleased with my results from a breast augmentation she performed on me back in late June! She answered all my questions and concerns before and after my surgery. She’s very easy to get in contact with and she’s so nice. She made feel so comfortable throughout the whole process. 100/10 Lover her work!!

    Amanda Villegas October 15, 2020

    Dr Saber is hands down the best surgeon! She took her time answering my questions and explained procedure in detail. After doing liposuction six months ago, I am extremely happy with my results and I appreciate her so much.

    Marlene Cosentino October 15, 2020

    Dr. Saber is so kind and thorough with her patients! She is an amazing doctor and genuinely cars about everyone she comes in contact with. I would recommend her to anyone for any hand surgery or cosmetic procedure.

    Rachel Meach October 15, 2020