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The Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) is a form of liposuction that involves the special transfer of fat to add volume and contour to the backside.
While this cosmetic procedure was once thought to be the kind of surgery that “only the Kardashians could have,” BBL has now achieved mainstream popularity so much that more women now undergo the procedure to get that much-need sexy and youthful look.
But BBL is far from being just the glitzy and trendy procedure it’s been made to seem. Along with being the fastest-growing cosmetic procedure in the world right now, it is also the most dangerous cosmetic procedure with one of the highest mortality rates in the world.
Houston-based board-certified surgeon, Dr. Patrick W. Hsu specializes in BBL procedures and has carried out thousands of BBL and similar surgeries.
“The problem with BBL is not just about the procedure,” Dr. Hsu says. “Although we can’t deny the risk, the main issue is the huge number of unlicensed and unqualified people trying to cash in on the increased demand for butt augmentation.”
As many as 40,000 Brazilian Butt Lift procedures were successfully performed last year. But because the demand keeps increasing, more “professionals” are venturing into the market, some of whom are not even medical professionals.
BBL is already a complex and highly demanding procedure. One of the major issues with the procedure has to be the large size of the blood vessels in the buttocks. Inserting fat into this area of the body has to be done very carefully to avoid the risk of fat accidentally entering any of the very large blood vessels here. This fat can travel as far as the lungs where it could cause a very deadly pulmonary embolism. It makes sense that surgeons, even the most experienced ones, put a limit on how much fat they can insert.
Dr. Hsu also mentions the issue of transparency as one of the many issues compounding the BBL problem for everyone involved.
Many surgeons aren’t open enough about the procedure, the aftermath, and what their clients can expect. More of these places are like chop shops taking on as many clients as they can despite the complexities associated with the procedure.
When you look at all of these situations, you’ll understand why Brazilian Butt Lift is the most dangerous cosmetic procedure in America right now.
However, a bulk of these problems are significantly reduced when you approach the right establishment for your procedure. From the transparency in the buildup to the procedure to the aftermath and expectations, and the basic risks and possible complications associated with the procedure, the difference is clear when these procedures are done by licensed and experienced professionals within properly equipped facilities.
Dr. Patrick W. Hsu is a leading board-certified plastic & reconstructive microvascular surgeon in Houston, Texas. He is a member of the American Board of Plastic Surgery, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the Texas Medical Board, and the New Jersey Medical Board.
Dr. Hsu specializes in Brazilian Butt Lifts (BBL), transaxillary breast augmentation, DIEP flap breast reconstruction, and “mommy makeovers.” He is the founder and CEO of Memorial Plastic Surgery and is constantly regarded as one of the best plastic surgeons in the country.
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