The results can be dramatic and look amazing right after the surgery, but will your BBL 5 years later still look just as great, or what happens to a BBL after 10 years?
A Brazilian Butt Lift, or BBL, is a cosmetic surgery that uses your own fat to enhance the fullness of your buttocks and add volume in strategic locations to reshape them to your desired aesthetic. It is most often used to create balance and provide a curvier, more feminine appearance.
Today, we are going to talk about whether it is possible to maintain the results of your BBL after 10 years, what things can affect how likely it is that you can maintain these results, and what you can do that can make a difference.
What Happens To The Transferred Fat Cells Immediately After A BBL And Years Later?
A BBL involves harvesting fat from other areas of your body, putting it through a purification process, and then injecting it into your buttocks in the areas you wish to add volume.
It is very important during the first few weeks to avoid putting pressure on the areas of transplanted fat so these cells have the best chance to graft successfully.
The transplanted fat is fragile, and to survive, tiny blood vessels must grow into the fat cells and connect them to a blood supply in that area, which is called grafting. Not all the fat that is transferred will survive, so it is customary for the surgeon to inject more fat into the targeted location than is actually needed. The grafting process takes place in the first week after your procedure, and the cells that do not successfully graft will be flushed out of your body naturally.
What Can Change the Results of Your BBL Years Later
The fat that successfully grafts into the transplanted area is now permanently a part of your body and will act just like all the other fat cells in that area. There are things that can change the results of your BBL in the next 5 or 10 years that you need to be aware of. Some of the things that can change the way your BBL looks include:
A Skilled Surgeon
The surgeon who performs your BBL will significantly affect the quality of your BBL results. A highly skilled and experienced surgeon knows how to place the fat in a way that looks natural and holds its shape as your body changes over the years. If you are considering a BBL, choose a skilled surgeon with expertise and experience with BBL procedures, like Dr. Angelina Postoev. The technique and safety protocol used for your BBL will impact the immediate results of your BBL and for years later.
Shifts In Body Weight
Maintaining the results of your traditional or skinny BBL 5 or even 10 years later depends on maintaining a stable body weight because when you lose weight, your fat cells shrink, including the ones that were transferred to your buttocks. If you gain weight, those cells can grow larger, which may make your results look uneven or change the overall shape. Big changes in your weight can also stretch or loosen your skin, which can affect how smooth and firm the results of your BBL are 5 years or 10 years later.
Natural Aging Process
Aging changes everyone’s body, and as you get older, your skin stops producing enough collagen and elastin. This, coupled with the effects of gravity allows wrinkles to form, and your skin can start to sag and lose its firmness. The fat in your buttocks from your BBL can be affected by the reduction in collagen and elastin, and the skin can become looser. Your skin can begin to sag, making the curves less defined and softening your shape, making it look like your buttocks are losing volume.
Your Genetics
Your personal genetics also predetermine how your body holds and maintains fat. Some people naturally store fat in certain areas and retain that fat a long time, and others lose volume more easily. Your genes also impact how your skin ages and how toned or loose your skin will become. Even if you have the best BBL results, if you are more prone to sagging or losing fat, you might see changes sooner than someone whose body holds fat better and distributes it more evenly.
Your Lifestyle Choices
How well you take care of your body can also affect how long the results of your BBL last. If you are not very active, your muscles can weaken, and if those located under your buttocks become weak, it will cause your results to look flatter and less lifted. Weak muscles also can affect your core strength and lead to poor posture, which can also make your curves look flatter and diminish the results of your BBL.
If you eat a lot of processed foods, sugar, and unhealthy fats, it can lead to weight gain and increase the size of the fat cells in your buttocks, including the ones transferred during your BBL. This can make the shape of your buttocks uneven or change the proportional results you had after surgery. An unhealthy diet can also hinder your body’s ability to produce an adequate amount of collagen and elastin and can affect your muscle mass, which can lead to premature sagging and affect the results of your BBL.
BBL Results Over The Years
6 Months After a BBL
Six months after your BBL, most of the swelling should be gone, and the fat that survived the transfer has settled into place. Unless you choose to overly enhance your buttocks, the shape should be natural-looking, and the results are close to what you can expect for the long term. Your skin and tissues are still healing, but your buttocks should look rounded and have more volume.
1 Year After a BBL
By one year, your healing process should be complete, and the fat cells that have successfully grafted will act just like the rest of the fat in your body. The results of the transfer are stable, and the shape of your buttocks is firm and defined. And your results are final.
5 Years After a BBL
Even after 5 years, the results should still look great if you have maintained a stable weight and have implemented healthy lifestyle habits such as eating a nutritious diet and exercising regularly. Some minor changes may have occurred as your body naturally ages, but your buttocks should still look full and balanced. Many people notice their curves hold well for several years when they maintain their muscle tone and take care of their skin.
10 Years After a BBL
The results of your BBL after 10 years can still look natural and attractive, but aging can cause your skin to lose elasticity, and the shape of your buttocks can soften. Avoiding changes in weight or muscle tone can help preserve your results for a long time, but if you do experience changes due to aging, you may desire to do a touch-up to restore the fullness and lift.
How to Keep Your BBL Looking Its Best
After undergoing a BBL and its recovery, you will want to preserve the results as long as possible. Some of the things you can do to ensure your buttocks stay looking their best include:
- Follow the post-surgery care instructions you are provided by Dr. Angelina carefully, which will include wearing your compression garments, avoiding applying pressure to the areas with new fat cells, eating a healthy diet, getting plenty of rest, and attending all your follow-up visits.
- Protect your incision sites from the sun while they are healing with clothing, wear sunscreen, and avoid direct sunlight to help your scars fade.
- Eat a healthy diet consisting of foods like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and good fats, and maintain a steady weight to help preserve your results and keep your butt looking the way you want.
- Include daily exercise in your routine as soon as Dr. Angelina tells you that you can (usually about two months). Include strength training so your hip and glute muscles can help hold your shape.
The results of a well-done BBL can stay beautiful for many years and can give you the confidence to know you look and feel your best. If you take good care of your body and skin and live a healthy lifestyle, the results of your BBL after 5 years can still look natural and firm, or even a decade later.
Where Can I Find Out More About Having A BBL?
Dr. Angelina and her team at IBI Plastic Surgery & Med Spa are experts in the Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) procedure. They use advanced techniques like VASER liposuction and fat transfer to enhance your shape naturally. Their concentration on safety, incision placement, fat grafting, and attention to detail will ensure you have natural-looking, beautiful results that last for years to come.
Schedule your consultation today to learn more about how a BBL can enhance your natural curves and give you the full and shapely buttocks you have always wanted.
