Why Safety is Key to a Brazilian Butt Lift by Dr. Ravi in Houston

May 24, 2018

5/24/2018

Jennifer Lopez first brought the hourglass figure to our attention several years ago, and since then the likes of Kim Kardashian have made that aesthetic mainstream. And it’s not going out of style anytime soon! Autologous Fat Grafting to the Buttock, known to the public as the “Brazilian Butt Lift”, is the fastest growing cosmetic surgery in the United States. This is true for the Houston plastic surgery market as well, as the best and brightest plastic surgeons in the field perform this surgery. Dr. Ravi Somayazula, Houston’s board-certified plastic surgeon, routinely performs this procedure with a goal of obtaining both safe and beautiful results. Not only is he a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) but was also selected to be a committee member on The Safety of Autologous Fat Transfer Subcommittee. You will be in no safer hands.

Beautiful results that showcase a rounded, volumized backside along with a more contoured waist can be obtained with this procedure. The proper waist to hip to buttock ratio can gorgeously shape a silhouette and sculpt the body. It all starts with choosing a plastic surgeon that can correctly incorporate anatomy and art. It’s not only about how the liposuction is performed, but also having the keen eye to know precisely where to liposuction. Liposuction provides the needed fat but those contoured areas will ultimately add desired proportions to the buttock silhouette. The most commonly liposuctioned areas are the waist, abdomen, upper and lower back which help contour the areas bordering the buttocks. This fat can then be used to add volume and shape to the buttocks and its inner and outer frame.

Unfortunately, over the years the safety of this procedure has come into question as untrained individuals, who are neither plastic surgeons nor board certified plastic surgeons, have performed it on patients. This does set up patients for unsavory, and quite honestly, unsafe situations when these practitioners do not know the proper safety measures. This was one of the main topics discussed during the most recent national and international meeting of the ASAPS (American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery) in New York City this past month.

The Brazilian Butt Lift, aka Fat Transfer to the Buttocks, requires a careful and detailed understanding of the anatomy of the buttock region. Certain techniques utilized during the procedure and the use of exclusive, state-of-the-art equipment during surgery are essential to obtaining safe and excellent outcomes. Keep in mind that Dr. Ravi is a board-certified plastic surgeon who is a member of the ASAPS which require their plastic surgeons to stay up to date with cutting edge advancements in techniques. They also provide a network of surgeons from around the country that provide education to each other. They can share techniques that helps get the most sought-after results, while maintaining safety.

This means Dr. Ravi is a cut above non-members in his style and technique. If fat is not inserted at the proper depth, there is a possibility the fat may dislodged into blood vessels found at that depth. When this unfortunately occurs, fat can travel or embolize to the heart and lungs, in turn causing death. The occurrence of this phenomenon is 1:3000. Although extremely rare, there is still a chance and we must try our best to minimize the odds. Anatomic and cadaveric studies done by expert board certified plastic surgeons have shown that to ensure safety with this procedure, fat should be injected above the muscle only. In order to accomplish this, the injecting hand needs to effortlessly move while the non-dominant hand knows where the tip of the cannula is at all times.

In summary Autologous Fat Frafting or the “Brazilian Butt Lift” can result in an excellent and beautiful shape to the buttock. With an even higher complication rate associated with buttock implants, a BBL can be a safer option when performed by a board certified plastic surgeon who is also a member of the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Call our Houston, Texas office at 281-242-1061 to meet with Dr. Ravi for an in-person consultation to determine if a BBL is the right surgery for you. Our office is conveniently located off I-10 in Spring Valley which is very close to Memorial, Katy, The Heights and Memorial.