How The South Beach Butt Lift Makes BBLs Safer

The Safer Brazilian Butt Lift

Considered one of the fastest-growing cosmetic procedures in the world, Brazilian Butt Lifts (BBL) can help clients achieve the desired shape and proportion of their buttocks, contributing significantly to the overall desired proportion of their bodies. Per a survey by the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the number of BBLs performed globally increased by 77.6% from 2015 to 2021.

“The BBL is a very popular surgery,” said Miami plastic surgeon S. Alexander Earle, M.D., F.A.C.S. “It is not about vanity; it is about empowerment. The procedure has helped many women regain their confidence and self-esteem by reclaiming the body they once had before life, children, aging and weight fluctuation. However, it needs to be done by experienced and safe surgeons.”

There have been industry concerns about the dangers of BBLs compared to other cosmetic surgeries. Data from May 2020 in the International Open Access Journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons showed that the mortality risk of BBLs was 1 in 14,921 in 2019, and 1 in 20,117 in 2020, higher than the reported 1.3 in 50,000 mortality rates for liposuction procedures.

Ultrasound Imaging Technology

Earle, a double board-certified plastic surgeon and founder of Pure Plastic Surgery in Miami, has designed a safer, less invasive BBL, called the South Beach Butt Lift (SoBeBL), that uses ultrasound imaging technology to help guide the vision of the performing surgeon. Blindly injecting fat into muscles or blood vessels can potentially lead to pulmonary fat embolism, which can cause significant complications or death, according to Earle.

“The ultrasound technology acts as Superman X-ray vision during a BBL–a procedure that traditionally has surgeons injecting the fat into the gluteal region blindly,” Earle said. “During an ultrasound guided BBL, the ultrasound creates an unobstructed view with real-time images of the gluteal anatomy, and helps surgeons avoid danger–injecting fat into muscle, blood vessels and other structures.”

An Enhanced Natural Look

Earle noticed patients wanting a more natural look, which helped inspire him to develop the SoBeBL. The new procedure involves small, hidden liposuction incisions that provide a signature upside-down, heart shape with smooth transitions that consider the patient’s natural frame to provide proportionate and discrete results.

“Patients want an ‘enhanced natural’ look where it is difficult to tell if they had surgery at all, even while wearing a small bikini out on South Beach,” Earle said. “Some BBLs of the past were creating overly dramatic or surgical looks that did not fit the patient’s foundation. Several of these patients are now coming back to reduce and re-shape their prior BBL.”

Earle, who is also a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and president of The World Association of Gluteal Surgeons (WAGS), recommends any patient considering a BBL conduct diligent research to be sure of the safety and legitimacy of the surgeon and facility.

Earle said, “Do your research on the plastic surgeon you choose, including checking board certifications, safety procedures, their facilities, ratings and their artistry. Ideally, the surgeon is a member of WAGS and uses ultrasound technology. You want to make sure you and the surgeon are a good fit and aligned on achievable results. If you are choosing an aftercare facility, please do your due diligence and make sure they are up-to-code and have a safe record of proper care. As the president of the World Association of Gluteal Surgeons, it is our mission to improve the safety profile of this procedure via technology, education and training. We are training all our members to use ultrasound technology to help our clients reach their goals safely.”