How Soon Can You Work Out After a Brazilian Butt Lift?

Are you thinking about BBL with fat transfer? 

Patients choose Brazilian Butt Lift surgery to enhance the look and shape of their buttocks. 

If you’re considering this highly popular procedure, it’s likely because you desire an hourglass figure — and you’re struggling to accomplish it alone.

However, if you’ve already been working out in that area, you may worry that you’ll lose any progress you’ve made while you’re recovering from your buttock enhancement procedure.

Can you work out while recovering from a BBL? If so, how much? And if you do too much too soon, can you risk doing damage?

Here’s the scoop on Brazilian Butt Lift recovery, including what physical activity you can engage in at different stages. 

What Is a Brazilian Butt Lift?

A Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) is a plastic surgery procedure that “lifts” and “fills” the buttocks and enhances their shape by transferring fat to the area.

The exact shape and size of your results depend upon your goals, plus your cosmetic surgeon’s input on what is safe and appropriate for you.

A BBL requires liposuction, a method of taking fat from one area of the body, and uses that fat to augment the buttocks.

What About BBL With Gluteal Implants?

Implants are their own category of cosmetic surgery. Some patients ask for gluteal implants (butt implants) for a large and round shape. However, these have drawbacks, so not every plastic surgeon recommends them.

A traditional BBL does not often include implants. Ask your surgeon what method suits your goals and will be safest for you.

How Is a Fat Transfer BBL Performed?

To know what your recovery may look like and how active you should be, you need to understand how your fat transfer Brazilian Butt Lift will be performed.

The technique involves liposuction, one of the most popular procedures chosen by cosmetic surgery patients today.

Here are the steps your surgeon will take to achieve our BBL using liposuction and fat transfer:

Fat Harvesting

• A small incision is made in the area of the body where the fat will be harvested
• A sterile instrument called a cannula is inserted into the incision
• The surgeon moves the cannula back and forth to break up the fat in the area 
• A vacuum attachment retrieves the fat

Fat Transfer

• The fat is purified
• The fat is then injected into the desired area

What Happens if You Work Out Too Soon?

While you probably already guessed this, ignoring your surgeon’s instructions is never a good idea. They know what you can safely do for the best results during your recovery. So if your doctor’s directions differ from the timeline below, make sure to follow their advice instead.

The following timeline is a basic guide. Your recovery may be slightly different. Be sure to ask your doctor what activities you can perform at each stage of your BBL recovery. 

BBL Recovery Timeline: What You Can Do … and When You Can Do It

Day One

You can walk immediately after your BBL surgery. Walking after surgery decreases the risk of blood clots. You will also be given a compression garment to wear around the liposuction areas. DO NOT lift heavy objects or work out on your first day, even if you feel well. However, you will probably be sore and may have some swelling and some degree of bruising after your procedure. 

Week One

You will need to take it easy this week. You will also be asked to avoid sitting directly on your buttocks so you do not disturb the area during this critical time. You can sit on BBL pillows or donut pillows. 

You will be instructed to take gentle walks, but you will not be cleared to drive yet — since you shouldn’t sit for prolonged periods. Do not lift heavy objects, and don’t resume your normal workouts yet.

Week Two

You may feel less sore, and swelling should begin to go down. Many patients can drive and go back to work at this point. You will need to continue to sit carefully (supported by a post-surgical pillow). Do not do aerobics or weight lifting/training during this time, and limit lifting objects to a maximum of three to five pounds.

Weeks Four to Six

You should begin to see your final result during this time. At about six weeks post-BBL surgery, you should be able to work out again, though you may need to modify your workouts if you are used to very heavy weight lifting or running/aerobic sessions. 

Eight Weeks to Three Months

Your final look will emerge, and if you haven’t had complications, you should be back to your pre-surgery lifestyle, including working out.

While this timeline may seem like a long time to go without working out per your usual schedule, the results will make it all worthwhile. The better you follow your surgeon’s instructions after your recovery, the more pleasing your result will be.