Why Board Certification Matters—Especially for Brazilian Butt Lifts

If you’ve spent any time researching Brazilian butt lift surgery (BBL) in Miami or South Florida, you’ve probably come across some unnerving stories about patients who experienced serious complications following their procedures. Many of these stories have something in common—they were performed by providers who weren’t certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS).

As the popularity of Brazilian butt lift surgery skyrocketed in the past decade, physicians without adequate training in plastic surgery—and specifically BBL procedures—started performing the surgery for patients who wanted a rounder, more voluptuous rear end. They often advertised themselves as “board-certified” physicians using the names of organizations that sounded official, even though the extent of their plastic surgery training was minimal.

Choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon is important for any procedure, but especially for one such as Brazilian butt lift surgery that requires exceptional skill and concern for patient safety.

What Is a Brazilian Butt Lift?

Even though its name includes butt lift, a BBL is more accurately described as buttock augmentation. Years ago, surgeons inserted silicone implants to enhance a patient’s buttocks. The BBL is a game-changer because it uses the patient’s own fat—taken from areas such as the abdomen or thighs using liposuction—to create more shapely contours.

The fat transfer (or fat grafting) technique requires surgeons to be extremely careful to avoid injecting the fat too deeply, which can result in embolisms. A fat embolism can result in serious complications, including death. At Pure Plastic Surgery, our surgeons use an advanced technique called ultrasound-guided BBL to improve the safety and results of their procedures.

With a traditional BBL, the doctor must work blindly when placing fat into the buttocks. In order to place the fat in its optimal location, avoid any blood vessels or other structures, and remain at the correct angle to the muscle and other landmarks, Dr. Earle uses ultrasound as a guide. This technique is explained in more detail in a previous blog post.

What Does Board Certification Mean?

The American Board of Plastic Surgery is the only aesthetic surgery board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties—the highest standard in American medicine. Many plastic surgeons are also members of professional societies, but only certification by the ABPS ensures that a surgeon is truly qualified and highly trained.

To earn certification from the ABPS, a surgeon must:

• Complete 6 years of surgical training, including at least 3 years devoted entirely to plastic surgery
• Pass a series of oral and written exams
• Complete ongoing testing and continuing education requirements to maintain their certification
• Only operate in accredited facilities
• Follow a strict code of ethics

The best and, really, the only way a patient can make an educated choice about where to get any kind of cosmetic or reconstructive plastic surgery is to research as much as they possibly can. You can verify a surgeon is certified on the American Board of Plastic Surgery website.

Performed correctly by a highly qualified, board-certified plastic surgeon, the Brazilian butt lift is a safe and effective procedure that creates results you’ll want to show off on South Florida beaches. To find the best BBL surgeon for you in Miami, request a consultation using the online form or call us at (305) 230-4326 to schedule an appointment.