What is a Brazilian butt lift?
A Brazilian butt lift, also known as gluteoplasty, is a type of aesthetic surgery designed to enhance the size and shape of a person's buttocks. This cosmetic procedure involves removing fat from certain areas of the body like the thighs or abdomen via liposuction and then injecting it into the buttocks.
The treatment is popular among those who desire a more rounded and fuller buttock appearance. This body contouring surgery offers a natural alternative to implants by using the patient's own fat tissue.
Why do people go to Turkey/Istanbul for a Brazilian butt lift?
Many people choose to have their buttock augmentation in Turkey, particularly in Istanbul, due to several compelling reasons:
- Board-certified plastic surgeons at leading facilities such as Soraca Med Istanbul (5.0/5, Antalya), Dr. MED (4.9/5, Istanbul), and Adem and Havva Medical Center (4.8/5, Istanbul)
- 50–80% cost savings compared to US/UK prices, with comprehensive packages ranging from $4,200–$6,400 USD
- High-quality healthcare services at internationally accredited hospitals like Memorial Bahçelievler Hospital (4.7/5) and Lokman Hekim Istanbul Hospital (4.8/5)
- Package deals that often include hotel accommodation, transfers, and aftercare
Turkey welcomed 2 million health tourists in 2024, generating $10 billion in medical tourism revenue and establishing itself as a leading destination for cosmetic surgery.
A patient from the UK who received treatment at Adem and Havva Medical Center shared: "This clinic was the best, honestly 10/10. Everything is straight to the point as soon as you get there, no messing around. The staff were very attentive and the place was clean. As for my surgeon he's the best! Although the price is cheap the surgeries are top quality!"
Quartz Clinique patient's review of a BBL, liposuction, and tummy tuck in Turkey
What methods are used in a Brazilian Butt Augmentation?
There are several methods used in buttock enhancement surgery, which include:
- Fat Transfer (BBL Surgery): This is the most common technique where the surgeon removes fat from other parts of the body and injects it into the buttocks. Modern technique requires fat to be injected exclusively above the muscle using ultrasound guidance. Studies show 50–70% of transferred fat survives long-term, with the remaining naturally absorbed in the first few months.
- Buttock Implants: Silicone implants are surgically placed into the buttocks for those who don't have enough body fat for a fat transfer.
- Buttock Lift: Known as Buttock Reshaping Surgery, this technique involves removing excess skin and fat from the buttocks to lift and tighten the area.
Each method offers different advantages depending on the patient's anatomy and desired outcomes.
How do you get ready for a Brazilian Buttock Lift?
Preparation for this cosmetic procedure involves several important steps:
- Maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise routine.
- Quitting smoking at least two weeks before the surgery.
- Avoiding certain medications that can increase bleeding risk.
- Having a preoperative consultation with your surgeon to discuss your goals and expectations.
Proper preparation is essential for optimal results and minimizing complications during the procedure.
What care is needed after a Brazilian Butt Augmentation?
BBL recovery follows a specific timeline that patients must follow for optimal results:
- Week 1: Complete rest with no sitting directly on buttocks, sleep on stomach or side, wear compression garments 24/7.
- Weeks 2–6: Gradual introduction of sitting using BBL pillow, continue compression garments, light walking permitted.
- Week 6+: Return to normal activities including exercise, final results visible.
- Maintain a healthy diet to support recovery.
Patients typically return to work at 7–10 days for non-sitting jobs, or 2–3 weeks for desk jobs with proper seating modifications. Following these post-operative guidelines is crucial for proper healing and achieving the desired aesthetic results.
What are the possible risks with a Butt Enhancement Surgery?
Brazilian Butt Lift procedures have undergone significant safety improvements in recent years. Potential complications include:
- Bleeding and infection (less than 1% at accredited facilities)
- Unfavorable scarring
- Changes in skin sensation
- Poor wound healing
- Fluid accumulation (seroma)
- Unsatisfactory aesthetic result
Emergency symptoms requiring immediate medical attention include:
- Sudden shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Severe swelling or pain
- High fever (over 101°F/38.3°C)
- Uncontrolled bleeding
Recent safety improvements and current guidelines
The main cause of serious complications is pulmonary fat embolism, which occurs when fat enters the bloodstream. Current safety protocols have virtually eliminated this risk at qualified facilities:
- Ultrasound guidance during fat injection to ensure proper placement above the muscle fascia.
- Maximum of 3 BBL procedures per surgeon per day to prevent fatigue-related errors.
- Exclusive subcutaneous fat grafting (above muscle only).
- Use of large-diameter cannulas at specific angles with controlled injection speeds.
These improvements have made BBL as safe as tummy tuck procedures when performed by qualified surgeons following current protocols.
Who should consider a Brazilian Butt Augmentation?
Ideal candidates for this procedure are those who are dissatisfied with the size or shape of their buttocks, have a saggy buttock due to aging or weight loss, or want to improve their body contour.
Candidates must have stable weight, no active infections, and sufficient donor fat for transfer. Good candidates should also be in good overall health with BMI requirements under 30 kg/m² and comprehensive pre-operative evaluation, and have realistic expectations about the outcomes of the surgery.
Explicit contraindications include:
- Unstable BMI (weight fluctuations over 10 lbs in past 6 months)
- Active infection or compromised immune system
- Uncontrolled diabetes
- History of blood clotting disorders
- Unrealistic expectations about results
When is a good time to get a Buttock Reshaping Surgery?
The optimal time to undergo buttock reshaping surgery is when you're at a stable weight, in good health, and have realistic expectations about the outcome.
It's also important to have adequate time for recovery and to be emotionally prepared for the surgical process and healing period.
Do clinics offer a check-up before a Brazilian butt lift?
Leading clinics such as Soraca Med Istanbul (5.0/5) and Dr. MED (4.9/5) offer comprehensive preoperative check-ups. This includes consultation with the surgeon and anesthesiologist, and various tests to ensure the patient is fit for the procedure.
These evaluations help identify any potential risks and ensure the best possible outcomes for patients.
What's included in the Brazilian butt lift package in Turkey?
Based on typical offerings, the buttock enhancement package in Turkey includes:
- Consultations with a plastic surgeon and anesthesiologist
- Preoperative tests
- General anesthesia
- Post-operative garments
- Medications
- Follow-up examination and visit
- Hospitalization and afterward hotel stay
- Transfer airport-clinic-airport
These comprehensive packages are designed to provide patients with a complete treatment experience.
What other treatments do clinics in Turkey offer besides a Brazilian butt lift?
Turkey's 420+ clinics offering Brazilian Butt Lift procedures also provide comprehensive cosmetic surgery options. For example, Dr. MED offers packages combining BBL with liposuction and tummy tuck, while Soraca Med Istanbul provides complete body transformation packages.
This variety allows patients to combine multiple procedures or choose from different aesthetic treatments based on their individual needs.
What qualifications should the surgeon have?
Essential surgeon qualifications for BBL procedures include:
- Medical degree and board certification in plastic surgery
- Board certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) - the only ABMS-recognized plastic surgery board
- Completion of 6+ years surgical training including minimum 3 years plastic surgery residency
- Experience in performing buttock augmentation procedures
- Good track record with previous patients
Leading specialists like Dr. Murat Yaman (Lokman Hekim Istanbul Hospital) and Dr. Muhammet Mustafa Aydinol (Dr. MED) exemplify these qualifications with extensive experience in cosmetic surgery procedures. In Turkey, choose surgeons at JCI-accredited facilities which meet international safety standards equivalent to Western hospitals.
What awards should a good clinic have?
A reputable clinic should have recognitions such as:
- Accreditation from international healthcare organizations
- Awards for quality and patient safety
- Recognition or awards for clinical excellence
Turkey has 42 JCI-accredited hospitals as of 2025, with 25 located in Istanbul, ensuring international safety and quality standards. These certifications and awards demonstrate the clinic's commitment to maintaining high standards of care and patient safety.
