A formal review into the Brazilian butt lift has been launched by the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS), the leading independent plastic surgery organisation in the UK. After multiple deaths and a high complication rate, their members have been temporarily advised not to carry out the procedure in the UK.
Here, we’ll look at what the Brazilian butt lift is and why it is causing controversy in the world of plastic surgery.
What is a Brazilian butt lift?
A Brazilian butt lift is designed to improve the shape and fullness of the buttocks. It has been made famous by celebrities such as Kim Kardashian and Nicki Minaj.
The procedure is mostly a fat grafting technique, using the body’s own fat cells to provide extra fullness in the rear. Liposuction can also be used in areas where there is excessive fat, in order to produce the best results.
After fat is collected through the liposuction procedure, it is purified before being injected back into the body. As it isn’t a foreign body, it is much less likely to be rejected and this, in turn, speeds up the healing process. So, if fat grafting is considered a safe alternative to fillers, why is the procedure under review?
Why is the BBL under review?
While fat grafting is considered one of the safest ways to add volume to the body, in a Brazilian butt lift it carries numerous risks. The procedure is a complex one, and it is the way the injections are performed which can cause the issues.
In order to be performed safely, a Brazilian butt lift needs to be carried out by an experienced surgeon. The reason a review has been launched into the procedure is largely down to inexperienced surgeons. In a bid to cash in on this popular trend, surgeons with no prior experience of the procedure are offering it at a low cost. This has led to multiple deaths and injuries.
BAAPS is now reviewing the safety of the procedure. It is advising its surgeons not to perform a Brazilian butt lift until the formal review has been completed.
The dangers of cosmetic surgery abroad
As many UK surgeons are now following the advice of the BAAPS, patients may be tempted to simply go abroad for treatment. However, this is a very risky move. Cosmetic surgery isn’t always regulated in different countries to the extent that it is in the UK. This means you can’t be sure you are being operated on by a qualified and experienced surgeon.
Foreign clinics also tend to draw in patients with low-cost procedures. If you find a Brazilian butt lift is significantly cheaper abroad, it should be viewed as a red flag. Due to the dangers the procedure poses, it is crucial patients choose a reliable and experienced surgeon.
Overall, while the Brazilian butt lift can be carried out safely, it is advisable for patients to wait until more information has been provided. Fully understanding the risks of the procedure is essential. This formal review aims to look into the safety of a butt lift and whether it should be a procedure offered to patients.