Everything You Need to Know About Brazilian Butt Lifts

Fact: Brazilian butt lifts are on the rise. Also known as "butt jobs," this derriere enhancing procedure has increased 25% in the past year, and it's likely that we can thank the well-blessed butts of J. Lo and Kim Kardashian for that. While doing a full set of squats a day certainly helps to build that junk in the trunk, more people are opting for butt augmentations as a safe and easy upgrade. That's why we reached out to North Carolina board certified plastic surgeon and best-selling author Dr. John Zannis to give us the full rundown on the popular rump-plumping treatment.

Brazilian butt lifts use liposuction to harvest fat from the patient's lower back, outer thighs, and abdomen; after eliminating excess oil and blood, the fat is injected into the buttocks, Dr. Zannis tells us. "Fat grafting is much safer and more desirable because the risks are lower [than implants] and the results more natural," he says, and it all depends on the availability of the patient's fat. This is where body mass index (BMI) comes in: If a prospective patient's BMI is too low, butt implants are another option, he adds.

However, the risks of implants include infection and the possibility of the implant coming out, he warns. With the Brazilian butt lift, common concerns include the loss of fat; though on average, about 85% of the fat survives. The good news is that a realistic butt lift requires just one session, he adds.

As far as recovery, both procedures require about 8 to 12 weeks after surgery, explains Dr. Zannis. Patients can expect the swelling to subside in about 4 to 8 weeks, and bruising will only last a couple of weeks.

During an episode on Brazilian butt lifts with The SASS, Los Angeles Double Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Luis Macias says the hardest part about recovery is "not being able to sit for 2 weeks."

"Most people try not to sit for a month and I prefer that," he notes. "In the early process when the fat hasn't quite taken, it's [still] a little malleable. You can flatten it; you can change the shape that I made in the first couple of weeks."

Prices range from $6,500 to $15,000 depending on how much you're grafting; as mentioned above, the treatment includes liposuction on other areas of concern like the abdomen and the outer thighs.

Below, see a few before-and-after photos of Zannis' successful Brazilian butt lifts and read on to find out more about this on-the-rise body treatment.

What’s the first thing you tell patients when they come in for a consultation?

"We always discuss their ultimate goals and how big they want their butts to be," he tells us. "Some want to be huge, like Kim [Kardashian], others just want a modest enhancement."

Have you ever refused to do a butt job on someone and if so, why?

"I've refused to do every procedure that I perform for particular patients if they were not good candidates. The main reason to refuse a butt lift is if someone has unrealistic expectations that can't be met."

Why do you think butt lifts are on the rise?

"Large, round butts have been en vogue ever since the aughts. Currently, it is an achievable goal for many women with a safe procedure like the Brazilian butt lift. Celebrity role models like Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Lopez, and Nikki Minaj certainly contribute."

How should potential candidates prepare for the procedure?

"Learn about what to expect and how to ensure a good final result. This includes minimizing sitting for about two weeks after surgery."

How often are post-procedure touch-ups needed?

"For a butt lift, we occasionally need to add additional fat in a second stage. This is needed about 5% of the time."

What are alternatives for someone who doesn’t want to undergo surgery?

"Building the gluteus muscles with exercises like squats can really help fill out the derriere. That's probably the best alternative there is."

Interested in Brazilian butt lifts? Find out more in our video below: