Brazilian Butt Lift in Delafield
Shape and balance, drawn from your own curves.
A Brazilian butt lift (BBL) is a cosmetic surgical procedure that uses autologous fat transfer to enhance the shape, size, and contour of the buttocks. Fat is harvested from donor areas such as the abdomen, flanks, thighs, or back via liposuction, processed to isolate viable fat cells, and then carefully reinjected into the subcutaneous tissue of the buttocks. Multi-society safety guidelines from ASPS, ISAPS, and ASERF emphasize subcutaneous-only injection and the use of ultrasound guidance to reduce the risk of pulmonary fat embolism, the primary safety concern associated with this procedure. Consona performs the procedure in Delafield, Wisconsin, following those guidelines.
At a Glance
- Gluteal fat grafting has been associated with a higher mortality rate than other cosmetic procedures, primarily due to the risk of pulmonary fat embolism from intramuscular fat injection[5]
- Multi-society safety guidelines recommend that fat be injected only into the subcutaneous space and never into or beneath the gluteal muscle to reduce the risk of fatal fat embolism[7]
- Surgeons who reported injection of fat into the subcutaneous plane experienced a 63% reduction in the risk of fatal and nonfatal pulmonary fat embolism compared to deep muscular injection[8]
- Approximately 30% of transferred fat cells are typically reabsorbed by the body, with the remaining fat cells establishing blood supply and persisting long-term[1]
Overview
A Brazilian butt lift combines liposuction with fat grafting to change buttock shape and volume using your own tissue. Fat is harvested from areas with excess deposits, processed to concentrate viable adipocytes, and strategically reinjected into the buttocks to create the planned contour.
The graft is autologous fat rather than a synthetic implant, which is why the result can feel and move naturally. Liposuction also contours the donor areas and can change the overall body silhouette. Not every transferred fat cell survives, and approximately 30% of the grafted fat is typically reabsorbed.
ASPS, ISAPS, and ASERF have issued joint safety guidance emphasizing subcutaneous-only fat injection and intraoperative ultrasound guidance. These measures address pulmonary fat embolism, the primary safety concern. It occurs when fat enters the gluteal venous system through intramuscular injection.
Dr. Boehm belongs to two of the three societies behind that guidance: the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and The Aesthetic Society. Membership is not a claim about technique. It is why the guidance operates at Consona as a standing constraint. If the available donor fat cannot provide the volume being considered, gluteal implants are listed separately on the same service list, and the alternative can be discussed without a referral.
What to expect
- Initial consultation to discuss your goals, evaluate body habitus, assess available donor fat, and develop a personalized surgical plan
- Pre-operative evaluation including a review of your medical history, lab work, and physical examination
- Assessment of donor sites to determine optimal fat harvest locations
- Administration of general anesthesia or intravenous sedation with local anesthesia
- Infiltration of tumescent solution into donor areas to reduce bleeding and facilitate fat extraction
- Liposuction of donor areas using a thin cannula to harvest fat
- Processing of harvested fat through centrifugation, decanting, or washing to isolate viable fat cells
- Strategic reinjection of processed fat into the subcutaneous tissue of the buttocks in small aliquots using specialized cannulas
- Ultrasound guidance may be used to confirm subcutaneous-only fat placement
- Closure of liposuction incision sites with sutures, skin adhesive, or surgical tape
- Application of compression garments to both donor and recipient areas
- Post-operative monitoring and discharge with detailed recovery instructions
How a brazilian butt lift works
- Fat is harvested by liposuction from one or more donor sites, typically the abdomen, flanks, lower back, or thighs. A tumescent solution containing diluted local anesthetic and epinephrine is infused first to reduce bleeding and trauma. A thin cannula then gently dislodges and suctions the fat.
- The harvested fat is processed by decanting, centrifugation, or washing with sterile saline. This separates viable adipocytes from blood, oil, and cellular debris. Concentrating the viable cells is critical for maximizing graft survival.
- The processed fat is reinjected in small aliquots throughout the subcutaneous tissue of the buttocks with specialized cannulas. It is deposited in multiple thin layers to maximize contact with the surrounding tissue and establish a blood supply. Current safety guidance mandates that injection remain in the subcutaneous plane.
- Intraoperative ultrasound guidance may be used to monitor the cannula tip in real time and confirm that fat is being deposited in the subcutaneous space. It also confirms that the cannula is not in or beneath the gluteal muscle, where the risk of venous injury and fat embolism is highest.
- If the donor sites will not provide enough viable fat for the volume discussed, the plan changes to a staged second grafting session or a gluteal implant, never deeper fat placement. Buttock implants are performed at Consona as a separate procedure, so this decision does not require a referral partway through planning.
When it's recommended
- Desire for increased buttock size, fullness, or projection
- Flat or shapeless buttock contour
- Buttock asymmetry
- Body proportion imbalance between the torso and lower body
- Volume loss in the buttocks due to aging or weight fluctuation
- Desire for body contouring with simultaneous fat reduction in donor areas
- Preference for autologous tissue augmentation over synthetic implants
Is a brazilian butt lift right for you?
Reach out to learn more from Dr. Lucas Boehm.
Recovery & aftercare
- You typically wear a compression garment for several weeks to reduce swelling and support the treated areas
- Sitting directly on the buttocks is generally restricted for 2-3 weeks to protect fat graft survival
- You may use a specialized BBL pillow or cushion when sitting is necessary during the initial recovery period
- Swelling, bruising, and soreness at both donor and recipient sites are common for the first 2-3 weeks
- Most patients can return to light, non-strenuous activities within 1-2 weeks
- Strenuous exercise and heavy lifting are typically restricted for 6-8 weeks
- Final results may take 3-6 months to stabilize as swelling resolves and surviving fat cells establish permanent blood supply
- Follow-up appointments are needed to monitor healing and assess fat graft retention
Alternatives
- Buttock implants (silicone implants placed within or above the gluteal muscle)
- Non-surgical buttock enhancement with injectable fillers (limited volume increase)
- Buttock lift (excision of excess skin without volume augmentation)
- Exercise-based gluteal muscle development (non-surgical, limited results)
Related treatments
How much does a brazilian butt lift cost?
A brazilian butt lift at Consona with Dr. Boehm costs around $10,000. The exact amount depends on your unique goals and treatment needs. Schedule a consultation today to learn more and receive a personalized quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
- A Brazilian butt lift is cosmetic surgery that changes buttock shape and volume using fat taken from elsewhere on your body. Liposuction harvests fat from areas such as the abdomen, flanks, or thighs. The fat is processed to isolate viable cells and then reinjected into the buttocks.
- The procedure is performed under general anesthesia or intravenous sedation, so patients do not feel pain during surgery. Soreness in both the liposuction donor sites and the buttocks is common for the first 1–2 weeks and is typically managed with prescribed pain medication.
- When performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon following current multi-society safety guidance, including subcutaneous-only fat injection and ultrasound guidance, the risk profile of a Brazilian butt lift has been significantly reduced. As with any surgery, it still carries risks that are discussed during the consultation.
- Sitting directly on the buttocks is generally restricted for 2–3 weeks to protect graft survival. When sitting is necessary, you typically use a specialized BBL pillow. Specific instructions also address sitting and sleeping positions during recovery.
- Approximately 60–70% of transferred fat cells typically survive and establish a permanent blood supply. The body reabsorbs part of the graft, so some volume loss is expected. Final results typically stabilize within 3–6 months and may vary with surgical technique and post-operative care.
- People with very low body fat may not have enough donor fat. Active infections, uncontrolled diabetes, current smoking, bleeding disorders, and pregnancy may also make someone unsuitable for the procedure. A thorough consultation determines whether a Brazilian butt lift is appropriate.
- There are two options, and neither involves injecting fat deeper. Fat grafting can be staged across more than one session, adding volume as each graft establishes its blood supply. The other option is a gluteal implant, a separate procedure performed at Consona for people whose donor fat cannot provide the planned result. The decision depends on measuring how much fat is available and where it can be harvested.
- These procedures interact because the abdomen and flanks that can supply the graft are also areas addressed by an abdominoplasty. Whether they are performed together or staged depends on operative time, positioning, and how much fat the plan requires. Both procedures are performed at Consona, so their sequence can be settled within one plan rather than across two offices. Donor volume is measured before either question is answered because the abdomen cannot supply a graft and be fully contoured to the same target at once.
Brazilian Butt Lift risks & candidacy
Who should avoid this
- Insufficient donor fat for adequate harvest (very lean body habitus)
- Active infection at donor or recipient sites
- Uncontrolled diabetes or conditions that impair wound healing
- Current smoker (smoking significantly impairs fat graft survival and wound healing)
- Bleeding disorders or current anticoagulant therapy that cannot be safely paused
- Pregnancy or currently breastfeeding
- Body dysmorphic disorder or unrealistic expectations regarding surgical outcomes
- Significant medical comorbidities that increase surgical risk under general anesthesia
- History of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism (elevated risk with prolonged operative time)
Possible risks
- Pulmonary fat embolism (the most serious risk, which can be fatal if fat enters the gluteal venous system through intramuscular injection)
- Fat necrosis (death of transferred fat cells, which can cause firm lumps under the skin)
- Asymmetry or contour irregularities in the buttocks
- Excessive fat reabsorption resulting in less volume than expected
- Seroma (fluid collection) at donor or recipient sites
- Hematoma (blood collection) requiring drainage
- Infection at donor or recipient sites
- Poor wound healing or skin irregularities at liposuction sites
- Deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism (risk elevated with prolonged operative time)
- Skin discoloration or hyperpigmentation at incision sites
- Temporary or permanent changes in skin sensation
- Need for revision surgery to address asymmetry, volume loss, or contour issues
- Scarring at liposuction incision sites
Your surgeon
Care that respects what makes you, you.
Dr. Lucas Boehm is a Wisconsin native, board-certified, fellowship-trained plastic surgeon and the founder of Consona Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics. His practice is dedicated exclusively to aesthetic surgery of the face, nose, breast, and body, with particular expertise in deep plane facelifts, rhinoplasty, and aesthetic breast surgery. He completed his undergraduate education at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin, and completed his plastic surgery residency there as well. He then pursued an Aesthetic Society-endorsed fellowship in aesthetic surgery under the mentorship of Dr. Bradley Calobrace in Louisville, Kentucky. Known for meticulous attention to detail, he approaches each case with precision and intention. His philosophy emphasizes harmony and balance – enhancing what is already beautiful while ensuring every change feels natural, thoughtful, and uniquely you.
- Board-certified
- Am. Board of Plastic Surgery
- Fellowship-trained
- Aesthetic surgery
- 12+ years
- In practice
Sources & references
This article draws on 9 sources, including peer-reviewed research.
Government & research
Educational & general
- ASPS - Buttock Enhancement
- ASPS - Buttock Enhancement Procedure Steps
- ASPS - Buttock Enhancement Risks and Safety
- ASPS - Buttock Enhancement Recovery
- ASPS - Plastic Surgery Societies Issue Urgent Warning About the Risks Associated with Brazilian Butt Lifts
- ASPS - Study Proposes New Standards for Safely Performing Brazilian Butt Lift
Medically reviewed by Dr. Lucas Boehm, MD · Last reviewed: 2026-09-12