Can You Reverse a BBL?
WHAT IS A BBL REVERSAL?
What is an Ultrasound Guided BBL Reversal?
There is speculation that a few Kardashians, J-Lo and other celebrities once famous for their voluptuous Brazilian Butt Lifts (BBLs), have undergone surgery to reduce the “junk in their trunk” by having a reverse BBL also called a BBL reduction or BBL revision. While some believe this is a signal that the BBL bubble has burst, at PURE we know that the BBL procedure is in fact very much alive and in-demand. However, for those who want to reduce the size and volume of their BBL, or have it reshaped, there is a procedure known as an Ultrasound Guided BBL Reversal that may be right for you.
WHAT IS A BRAZILIAN BUTT LIFT (BBL)?
The BBL procedure harvests fat from a patient’s body – that may include the lower back, hips, thighs, abdomen and flanks – with liposuction. The fat is then purified and injected into the buttocks and hips to reshape, increase volume and create a fuller figured bottom. Since 2019 the standard at PURE is to use ultrasound technology to perform safe Ultrasound Guided BBLs. We will only perform BBLs using this safety technology, which is now the standard in the state of Florida. We are pioneers in this technique in the United States (U.S.) and have performed more Ultrasound Guided BBLs safely than any other surgery practice in the country.
Together with our BBL patients we work to determine the proper shape and size that best suits the patient’s goals to avoid performing Ultrasound Guided BBL Reversals that aim to reduce the size and volume. It is important to consider how your body may change over time when deciding on your BBL aesthetic.
WHAT ARE THE VARIOUS BBL AESTHETICS?
At PURE we have four (4) BBL aesthetics: Vixen, Soft Vixen, Skinny and Enhanced Natural:
- Vixen – very small waist, prominent hips and larger buttocks
- Soft Vixen – small waist, less prominent hips and buttocks than Vixen
- Skinny BBL – athletic look often accompanied by abdominal etching
- Enhanced Natural – refined enhancement of your natural shape with smooth curves and transitions
WHY WOULD A PATIENT WANT TO REVERSE A BBL?
During our consultations, we work with patients to ensure they understand the long-term effects of BBL surgery. Some patients want a large amount of fat transferred to their buttocks, which may require more than one round of BBL surgery. Others only want a subtle change. For those patients who go for more volume and then want a BBL reversal, we extensively discuss the healing process, and the emotional rollercoasters associated with plastic surgery, and we partner with them to ensure a BBL reversal is the best option.
A BBL reversal is not the same for every patient. There are patients who undergo a reversal to change the shape of their buttocks, for example from a round shape to an upside-down heart. Others feel they went too large with a Vixen and want to slim down the buttocks and hips for a South Beach Brazilian Butt Lift (SoBeBL), which is a more Enhanced Natural aesthetic. Body goals can change, and it is important to communicate your desired results with your surgeon.
HOW LONG AFTER A BBL CAN YOU HAVE IT REVERSED?
We recommend waiting twelve (12) months after your BBL to undergo a BBL reversal or reduction. This timeframe allows the body to heal and to fully realize the final results of the surgery once the swelling has gone down and the fluffing stage is complete. Even after twelve (12) months the size of the buttocks may continue to get smaller and change shape, and your surgeon may recommend waiting longer after BBL surgery.
HOW SUCCESSFUL ARE BBL REVERSALS?
The purpose of reversing the BBL is to reshape the buttocks and reduce the volume, but it is not to restore the same bottom you had prior to the prime BBL surgery. Most patients seeking a BBL reversal are looking to minimize the volume, not to completely remove all of the fat that was injected during the initial procedure. When that’s the case, BBL reversals can be very successful procedures.
A main consideration for whether a BBL reversal will be successful is that it can only be done if the initial BBL was performed correctly. A BBL reversal requires liposuction to remove the subcutaneous fat, which is fat injected beneath the skin. If your surgeon injected fat into the gluteal muscle, keep in mind that fat in this location cannot be removed. It is dangerous to transfer fat into the gluteal muscle and is a practice that is banned in Florida because it increases the chance for fat to enter the bloodstream and cause complications, such as a pulmonary embolism. It is equally as dangerous to try and remove any fat from this area.
Skin elasticity, the skin’s ability to contract after being stretched, is another consideration for a BBL reversal. As we age, skin elasticity declines. When this occurs, fat is what helps the buttocks retain its shape. With poor skin elasticity, removing the fat can affect the quality of the results. If skin elasticity is an issue, your surgeon may suggest skin tightening procedures or the removal of excess skin during surgery.
CAN YOU LOSE WEIGHT TO REVERSE A BBL?
Losing weight can certainly reduce the volume of the buttocks by shrinking the fat cells that were injected during BBL surgery. However, you cannot target specific areas or control where on the body the weight loss will occur. After BBL surgery weight loss is fairly even across the body, but since weight loss affects everyone differently, you may want to consult your surgeon before you work to lose large amounts of weight after a BBL procedure.
“I could not have picked a better doctor. Dr. Earle is a perfectionist and settles for nothing less than perfection. I am incredibly happy with my results.”* - Rosie