Let’s delve into the curiosity surrounding a procedure that is renowned for enhancing buttock contours: the Brazilian Butt Lift, commonly known as BBL. But is it genuinely from Brazil?
Buttock augmentation with fat grafting, or BBL, has become one of the most sought-after cosmetic procedures in the field of plastic surgery. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the popularity of BBL procedures has been on the rise since 2019. The latest official report from 2022 indicates that 28,638 individuals opted for this procedure, with women aged 40-54 accounting for 36% of this total.
“BBL is an advanced technique that involves transferring fat from one area of the body using liposuction into the tissues of the buttocks,” explains Dr. Pablo Baltodano of Balto Plastic Surgery. Since fat is considered a natural tissue of the body, this method offers an organic and safer approach to enhancing beauty. Typically, individuals seeking a contoured appearance opt for one or two additional procedures simultaneously, saving both time and money while ensuring comfort.
With the growing popularity of BBL, many have begun to wonder about the origin of its name. Is it truly derived from Brazil? There are indeed two compelling reasons to affirm this.
The first one stems from the pioneering work of a Brazilian doctor, the renowned plastic surgeon Dr. Ivo Pitanguy, who developed the initial techniques starting in the 1960s, refining them over the decades. Dr. Pitanguy authored over 2000 peer-reviewed studies on aesthetic surgery before his passing in 2016. While butt implants similar to breast implant procedures were initially introduced by Dr. RJ Bartels, an Argentinian surgeon named Dr. Jose Robles further innovated the technique by incorporating butt implants between the middle layers of muscle tissue, which led to some complications.
The surgery’s performance with fat improved significantly over the last decade, becoming increasingly safe and popular after celebrities began enhancing their bodies with the procedure. *
The second reason lies in the unique cultural context of Brazil. Brazilian women have long shown a keen interest in cosmetic procedures and prioritize maintaining a contoured physique that accentuates their buttocks. Alongside the globally recognized “Brazilian bikini” and “Brazilian wax”, the term “Brazilian Butt Lift” evokes memories of vibrant Carnavals, samba rhythms, amazing beaches, and beautifully contoured women.**
*The information presented in this blog post was derived from official reports by ASPS and formalized research published in the Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
** If you’re considering a BBL or any other cosmetic procedure, be sure to seek guidance from an expert Plastic Surgery Clinic like Balto Plastic Surgery to ensure you make an informed decision and achieve optimal results.
