Brazilian Butt Lift
in Novi, Michigan

We proudly announce that Illuum Cosmetic Surgery is the first center to offer safe Ultrasound-Assisted BBL in Novi, Michigan. The Brazilian Butt Lift, a well-known form of buttock augmentation, caters to those looking to enhance their natural curves and achieve a more proportionate physique. The procedure is a cosmetic enhancement that transfers body fat to create a fuller, rounder butt. Our board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Lakin, utilizes ultrasound to accurately ascertain the depth and placement of the fat injection, prioritizing patient safety and quality in every buttock augmentation procedure.

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Pioneer of Ultrasound Guided BBL in Michigan 1

Pioneer of Ultrasound-Guided BBL in Michigan

We proudly announce that Illuum Cosmetic Surgery is a pioneer in providing safe Ultrasound-Assisted Brazilian Butt Lift procedures in Michigan.

new technology

This exciting new technology is based on some state laws that recently went into effect and helped us perform BBLs safer than ever. Unfortunately, some states across the U.S. had problems with these procedures. Specifically, these problems occurred in non-accredited surgery centers. There, non-board-certified plastic surgeons or assistants performed liposuction and reinjections with as many as five or more of these new procedures daily. This prompted the passing of new state legislation requiring that all centers in these states must comply with new regulations, including limiting the number of BBLs to three cases per day and demanding the use of ultrasounds with all patients.

the first center in Michigan

There is no law in Michigan regarding this topic, but we wanted to be the first center in Michigan to use this new technology for your safety. At our accredited surgery center, only our board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Lakin does the liposuction and the fat transfer reinjections. Furthermore, we take our time and limit our surgery center to performing at most two BBLs per day. Lastly, all of our cases are now being done under ultrasound guidance! Although this is not a requirement in Michigan, pioneering the newest and safest standards for our patients is essential.

under ultrasound guidance

With BBLs, there is a risk that with reinjection of fat cells, they can end up below the muscle, leading to a fat embolism. Although we have never had any complications after years of performing thousands of BBLs, we wanted to use this technology to help minimize the potential associated risks. Now, we can easily see the anatomical layers as we reinject the fat. This helps us avoid injection into or below the muscle layer deep and allows us to confirm we are safely reinjecting the fat into the subcutaneous (skin) layer.

high-quality liposuction

We carefully place our reinjection instrument into the safe subcutaneous plane and watch as we reinject the fat. Without rushing and by using meticulous attention to detail, we spend anywhere between 2–4 hours per surgery performing high-quality liposuction (depending on the number of areas treated) and fat reinjection. We even combine our BBLs with the Ab SilhouetchSM (our signature high-definition liposuction with abdominal etching technique) upon request in patients who are candidates.

Taking this vital step to be the first in Michigan to introduce ultrasound technology into our practice voluntarily is just another example of how seriously we take providing every one of our patients with the utmost quality and safety.

What Is an Ultrasound-Guided Brazilian Butt Lift in Michigan?

A Brazilian Butt Lift surgery is a buttock augmentation procedure that uses excess fat from your body, adding volume and lifting the buttocks. Ultrasound-Guided Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) is a safe technique that involves using ultrasound imaging during the fat transfer process of the procedure. It differs from the traditional Brazilian Buttock Lift Michigan procedure in that it incorporates real-time ultrasound visualization to guide the injection of fat into the buttocks.

In the traditional BBL procedure, the surgeon relies on their palpation skills and visual estimation to determine the depth and location of fat injections. However, by utilizing safe ultrasound technology, the surgeon can precisely identify the depth and position of the targeted anatomical structures, such as the muscle and subcutaneous layers, which enables them to avoid injecting the excess fat into or below the muscle layer and reduces complications associated with fat embolism.

By incorporating ultrasound guidance, Dr. Lakin can navigate the layers of the patient’s anatomy with greater confidence, optimizing the safety and effectiveness of the BBL procedure.

Male vs. Female Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL)

While the core principles of Brazilian Butt Lift remain the same for both males and females, there are certain nuances and considerations when it comes to gender-specific BBL procedures, which the table below highlights.

Goal

For females, the primary goal of BBL often revolves around enhancing their natural curves, achieving a more hourglass figure, and creating a fuller, shapelier buttock profile.

Fat Placement

In female BBL, the focus is on redistributing the harvested fat to the hips, thighs, and buttocks to add projection and curves.

Contour

The emphasis is on creating a feminine and voluptuous appearance that complements the overall body proportions.

Brazilian Butt Lift Before & After

The Ultrasound-Guided Brazilian Butt Lift Procedure

We’re excited to share the innovative Ultrasound-Guided Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) procedure available at our Illuum Cosmetic Surgery center.

Brazilian Butt Lifts are an outpatient procedure done asleep under general anesthesia at our AAAA-accredited plastic surgery center in Novi, MI.

Dr. Lakin will perform power-assisted liposuction (PAL) in predetermined body donor areas, such as your abdomen, waist, back bra rolls, hips, thighs, or arms. Small, inconspicuous incisions will be made, and a small tube will be inserted to suction out excess fat gently. This process contours these areas while providing the fat needed for your BBL.

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Dr. Lakin also offers BBL Silhouetch℠, his signature Brazilian Butt Lift procedure that combines high-definition liposuction & fat transfer. We will simultaneously define your target areas (such as your abdomen, waist, back, as individual areas or all together also known as Lipo 360, and/or thighs) while safely transferring fat subcutaneously to your gluteal and/or hip areas to sculpt the curves of your figure artistically. The procedure typically lasts around 3 hours, depending on how many areas need to be liposuctioned.

The fat harvested will be carefully processed and then reinjected using a state-of-the-art BBL reinjection machine. This piece of technology allows us to separate the fat from blood, oils, and other fluids, ensuring that only the best-quality fat cells are used for reinjection. This machine also allows us to reinject the fat harvested from liposuction in a sterile, enclosed closed-circuit system reducing the risk of infection. Using this cutting-edge equipment, Dr. Lakin has complete control of the amount and location of fat reinjected.

We’ll employ ultrasound technology to guide the fat reinjection into your buttocks. The ultrasound device allows us to visualize the underlying layers of anatomy, including the muscle and subcutaneous layers. By accurately identifying the depth and position of targeted structures, Dr. Lakin minimizes complications and enhances safety. In addition, this technology enables symmetrical and precise fat placement, resulting in natural contours and optimal aesthetic results.

Dr. Lakin will strategically inject the purified fat into different areas and depths of your buttocks and/or hips using specialized cannulas. Then, the fat cells will be implanted to enhance your buttocks’ shape, volume, and symmetry, creating your desired contour. Once the fat transfer is complete, we’ll close the incisions with sutures or adhesive tape. You’ll then be fitted with a compression garment to aid healing and minimize swelling.

Do Brazilian Butt Lifts Really Work?

The simple answer is yes. Dr. Lakin works directly with you from the consultation through the recovery process to ensure that you get the exact results you’re looking for. By transferring natural fat from other parts of your body, BBLs create the most natural butt enhancement of any procedure.

And with Dr. Lakins 20+ years of experience, you couldn’t be in better hands.

Check out the gallery below to see some of our patient success stories!

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BBL Cost in Michigan

The cost of a Brazilian Butt Lift, BBL in Michigan, typically ranges from $6,000 to $15,000. The Brazilian Buttock Lift cost in Michigan depend on the surgeon’s expertise, geographic location, and the complexity of the procedure. Scheduling a consultation is recommended to determine the cost.

Advantages of Ultrasound-Guided Brazilian Butt Lift

Ultrasound-Guided BBL reduces complications by visualizing anatomy in real-time. In addition, the surgeon avoids injecting fat below or into the muscle layer, enhancing the procedure’s safety profile.

Ultrasound-Guided BBL allows for accurate determination of fat depth and position during the injection. This precision ensures the fat is placed in the targeted areas, resulting in completely natural-looking contours.

The precise fat placement minimizes tissue trauma, reducing swelling, bruising, and post-surgical discomfort.

Advantages of Ultrasound Guided Brazilian Butt Lift

Am I a Candidate for an Ultrasound-Guided Brazilian Butt Lift?

Your weight, fat distribution, and health goals are the main criteria for good candidacy for BBLs. The bottom line is that the fat transferred to your buttocks must come from your body.

With that in mind, the ideal candidate for a BBL procedure will be at or around their goal weight. Significant weight gain or loss following the surgery will compromise the procedure’s results. 

Here are some criteria:

Adequate fat reserves

Adequate fat reserves

Good candidates for Ultrasound-Guided BBL have sufficient fat in donor areas like the abdomen, waist, thighs, hips, or arms.

Realistic expectations

Good overall health

Suitable candidates are in good health without significant medical conditions that may pose risks during surgery or recovery.

Good overall health

Realistic expectations

Suitable candidates understand the limitations of the procedure and have realistic expectations.

Stable weight

Stable weight

Candidates with a stable weight are preferred to ensure optimal and lasting results.

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Brazilian Butt Lift Surgery Recovery Period and Aftercare

After the procedure, properly using compression garments and a lymphatic massage is essential to help reduce swelling. You will be given two sets of compression garments (a first and second-stage garment) to help with swelling after liposuction and contouring of your buttocks. Our team at Illuum Cosmetic Surgery, led by the best BBL surgeon in Michigan, Dr. Lakin, highly recommends lymphatic massages to expedite your recovery. We will demonstrate and explain how these massages should be executed.

An important goal during your recovery process is to avoid putting direct pressure on the area where the butt injections were administered, ensuring your results remain unaffected. We advise you not to sit or lay directly on your buttocks for four weeks and will provide you with a BBL pillow (regular pillows also work) to elevate your buttocks. You should avoid exercise or any strenuous activity that might impact the final results for one month.

During your recovery, you should expect to see most swelling during the first initial days. The first glimpse of your final results will start to emerge throughout the initial month as the swelling progressively diminishes with the help of compression and massage. Final results are usually seen within 3-6 months.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Ultrasound-Guided BBL Surgery

Dr. Lakin is a board-certified plastic surgeon operating at his AAAA-accredited surgery center and has spent years perfecting his BBLs on thousands of patients in the greater Miami (South Florida) area prior to opening Illuum Cosmetic Surgery in Novi, Michigan. He also has spent years developing the Silhouetch℠ procedure, which is his signature technique of high-definition liposuction with abdominal etching to highlight the natural physique and give you a more toned, athletic look. He individualizes your treatment to artistically sculpt your entire body, buttock, and hips. His practice is not a chop shop where you come in for 10 minutes of liposuction on the front, 10 minutes of liposuction on your back, then 10 minutes of fat transfer to maybe see a result. He pays meticulous attention to detail and will remove all of your fat in an artistic manner while at the same time adding curves in the right areas. He will discuss your goals and expectations, review your inspirational photos, and come up with a custom plan for your body. His practice is the opposite of an assembly line. You will be treated like the only patient we have, like family. He will take his time operating on you, focusing on all of the details to give you the best version of yourself. His motto is to “Put the Patients First,” and it shows from the moment of consultation, throughout your operative experience, and continues throughout your postop care. In addition, the goal of the experienced staff at Illuum Cosmetic Surgery is to provide our patients with the highest level of quality, safety, and service possible.
Dr. Lakin is a board-certified plastic surgeon operating at his AAAA-accredited surgery center and has spent years perfecting his BBLs on thousands of patients in the greater Miami (South Florida) area prior to opening Illuum Cosmetic Surgery in Novi, Michigan. He also has spent years developing the Silhouetch℠ procedure, which is his signature technique of high-definition liposuction with abdominal etching to highlight the natural physique and give you a more toned, athletic look. He individualizes your treatment to artistically sculpt your entire body, buttock, and hips. His practice is not a chop shop where you come in for 10 minutes of liposuction on the front, 10 minutes of liposuction on your back, then 10 minutes of fat transfer to maybe see a result. He pays meticulous attention to detail and will remove all of your fat in an artistic manner while at the same time adding curves in the right areas. He will discuss your goals and expectations, review your inspirational photos, and come up with a custom plan for your body. His practice is the opposite of an assembly line. You will be treated like the only patient we have, like family. He will take his time operating on you, focusing on all of the details to give you the best version of yourself. His motto is to “Put the Patients First,” and it shows from the moment of consultation, throughout your operative experience, and continues throughout your postop care. In addition, the goal of the experienced staff at Illuum Cosmetic Surgery is to provide our patients with the highest level of quality, safety, and service possible.

Combining an Ultrasound-Guided Brazilian Butt Lift with other cosmetic procedures is often possible, depending on your circumstances and the surgeon’s recommendations. However, we are not able to combine the BBL with a tummy tuck or breast procedure because the recovery position is opposite for those procedures. After a BBL, you will need to sleep on your front, while after the tummy tuck or breast procedures, you will need to recover on your back or sides.

Ultrasound-guided BBL is a safe procedure when performed by a qualified and experienced board-certified plastic surgeon at an accredited surgery center. In addition, ultrasound technology allows for greater precision, thus minimizing the complications associated with fat injections.

BBL is generally considered safer than butt implants, as it uses the patient’s fat. Ultrasound-Guided BBL further enhances safety by visualizing anatomical structures during injections. Consulting a board-certified plastic surgeon will determine the best option for you.
The simple answer is yes. Dr. Lakin works directly with you from the consultation through the recovery process to ensure you get the exact results you’re looking for. BBLs create any procedure’s most natural butt enhancement by transferring natural fat from other body parts. We artistically contour your body through our innovative liposculpture techniques, then reinject the fat into your butt and/or hips to give you the results you are looking for. The combination of the subtraction of fat from surrounding areas of excess fat and the addition of fat into your target areas will produce your final beautiful silhouette. With Dr. Lakin’s 20+ years of experience, you couldn’t be in better hands.
Yes, the results of a BBL are permanent. Approximately 70% of the reinjected fat will permanently remain after the transfer, while roughly 30% of your transferred fat will be reabsorbed into your body. We use a technique to purify the fat cells at the time of harvest to reinject only fat and not blood, oil, or liposuction tumescent solution. Then we use techniques to distribute the fat throughout the recipient site in a way to maximize the survivability of the fat cells. Lastly, final results are optimized by avoiding placing direct pressure on the sites reinjected for 1 month after surgery. We will provide you with a BBL pillow to help avoid placing direct pressure on your butt and hips after surgery. The results of a BBL are subject to age-related changes throughout your lifetime. If you increase weight the fat transferred to your buttock may increase in size, and if you lose weight the transferred fat may decrease in size. However, as long as there are no drastic changes in your weight, you will maintain the new improved proportions of the waist-to-buttock/hip ratio.
At Illuum Cosmetic Surgery, we can perform liposuction awake or asleep. Still, if you want the fat reinjected to your butt or hips, we will need to do the procedure asleep under general anesthesia. It is impossible to numb the reinjection area without distorting the recipient site with numbing fluid. Even a little bit of numbing medicine will make the target sites look full already and we will not know how much fat to properly inject anymore leading to an incomplete treatment. Thus, we need to see all contours unaltered by numbing medicine prior to reinjection in order to accurately and artistically place the fat in the recipient sites.
BMI is the height-weight ratio that determines if you are underweight <18.5, normal weight 18.5-24.9, overweight 25-29.9, obese 30-39.9, or morbidly obese >40. The average BMI of our liposuction and BBL patients is 29. However, to be a candidate for a BBL, you should have a BMIs that is 42 or under, and ideally, your weight should be at or near your ideal body weight (within 30%).
All surgical procedures carry some risk. BBL’s primary risks and complications include blood loss and bruising, infection, poor healing, as well as anesthesia-related risks. Finally, it’s possible to have asymmetry and skin irregularities after the procedure, but choosing the right surgeon can mitigate that. Fat embolism can happen if the fat is injected into or below the muscle layer but this risk is decreased with the use of our advanced technique using ultrasound to guide reinjection of fat into the safe subcutaneous plane.
Yes, the BBL is performed as an outpatient procedure in our surgical center. Depending on the scope of your procedure, it may take as little as two hours or as long as four hours. It is performed asleep under general anesthesia. You will need to have a responsible adult drive you home afterward and stay with you for 24 hours.
We can remove up to 5 liters of fat in the state of Michigan during a single BBL procedure. This is more than in some other states where you can only have 4 liters of fat removed per state regulations. Five liters of fat is equivalent to 11 pounds. You are welcome to schedule a staged procedure to do a second or third round of liposuction from different areas in order to remove maximum fat from your body. At each time we do liposuction you are welcome to have additional fat transferred to your buttock depending on your aesthetic goals.
We will reinject as much of the fat removed as necessary to achieve the cosmetic results you desire. If you request a large volume BBL we will try to accommodate your request as best as your body will allow. The final volume injected depends on your frame and skin quality. If you have a larger frame we will be able to reinject more fat. Also, skin quality can be a factor because patients who have tight skin do not accept larger fat transfer volumes. Your body will tell us when it has accepted the maximum volume for that area because additional fat will not be accommodated in the area anymore.

A Skinny BBL is a BBL performed in a skinny patient who does not have a lot of fat donor sites but also does not have a large frame so does not need a lot of fat to be transferred. A smaller volume of harvested fat often can satisfy the cosmetic goals of the patient to improve the shape of their butt and hips. In these patients, we are able to add on the Silhouetch℠ procedure in patients who are candidates at or near their ideal body weight to give the patient further definition of the underlying anatomy at the same time as the BBL. Silhouetch℠ is our signature technique of high-definition liposuction with abdominal etching to highlight the natural physique and give you a more toned, athletic look.

In theory, it is possible to freeze fat after liposuction to later be used for a BBL. We do not do this at Illuum Cosmetic Surgery.

While this sounds like a great idea for patients who do not have fat themselves to transfer, it is not medically safe to do because fat from someone else would be rejected like an organ transplant mismatch. This is not done because of the risks of rejection and the need to be on organ transplant immunosuppressant medications for life. These medications come with their own risks. Fat transfer is considered an elective cosmetic procedure and not worth the risk-benefit ratio associated with transferring fat from someone else.

If you have no fat to transfer for a BBL, we recommend weight gain as your first-line option. Sometimes if patients gain 10-15 pounds they are able to enlarge their fat stores enough to harvest for a fat transfer. This is usually done in patients who have smaller frames and do not require a lot of fat transferred to achieve their desired results.

You can also try working out your gluteal muscles through strength training and weightlifting exercises though this can take longer to achieve your goals or may not get you where you want to be in regards to size and/or shape.

Fillers and buttock implants are other options for patients who do not have sufficient fat stores to transfer. Fillers tend to be a temporary (compared to fat which is permanent) and more expensive solution which we do not perform. We also do not perform buttock implant procedures due to their risks of rejection, infection, wound healing problems, rotation, and malposition requiring removal.

Everyone heals differently and has a variable amount of swelling so you may need compression for up to 3-6 months. In general, we recommend compression garments be used for 23 hours/day for 1 month, 12 hours/day for 2 months, and as needed for another 3 months. Please make sure that the garment fits snugly and gently. After surgery, you will have more swelling during the first few days and your compression garment may need to be loosened similar to loosening a belt after over-eating. You may have some temporary numbness and not realize how tight the compression garment is so please use your hands to check how tight the garment is. If you cannot fit your hand under the garment please loosen the garment. We do not need the garment to be on so tight like a waist trainer that you cannot breathe. The risk of the garment being too tight is that it can cause skin irritation, blisters, scarring, and permanent indentations. If you are using a foam board underneath your garment, please make that that it is not too tight as well. If it is too tight, you can cause indents from the board as well. Compression can be helpful, but it can also be hurtful if not used properly. Similar to the children’s story Goldilocks eating her porridge at the ideal temperature (not too cold, not too hot, but just right), it is important to make sure that the compression garment you are wearing fits just right.

Yes, we will provide you with 2 sets of BBL-specific compression garments (a first and second-stage garment). Different from standard compression garments for liposuction only, these specialized garments will be fitted to your body frame and are designed to enhance your gluteal region. They are specially designed to have two layers of compression over the areas of liposuction, and one layer of compression over the gluteal and hip areas where fat was transferred. This will help mold the areas of fat transfer to have some gentle compression while being allowed to expand and breath without too much pressure.

Yes, we will provide you with 2 sets of BBL-specific compression garments (a first and second-stage garment). Different from standard compression garments for liposuction only, these specialized garments will be fitted to your body frame and are designed to enhance your gluteal region. They are specially designed to have two layers of compression over the areas of liposuction, and one layer of compression over the gluteal and hip areas where fat was transferred. This will help mold the areas of fat transfer to have some gentle compression while being allowed to expand and breath without too much pressure.

Yes, you can have liposuction in the same area of the body multiple times to help you achieve the look you want. However, the goal of these plastic surgery procedures is to prevent you from having another liposuction procedure. Usually, the excess fat is completely removed from one area and should not return if you are following a healthy diet and exercise. It would be best to wait at least six months between treatments if needed. If your cosmetic goals are to achieve a specific look we may need to plan to schedule two rounds of liposuction and fat transfer. The skin in the buttock and hip is limited to receiving only a specific amount of fat. This amount differs from patient to patient and is related to their starting frame size as well as their skin laxity or tightness.

Patients often ask to make their butt look like someone else. We encourage patients to send us or bring in inspirational pictures of their goal body, buttock, and hip shape and size. This will allow us to have a better idea of what you would like to achieve and an evaluation of your body can allow us to determine your candidacy for the procedure to meet your expectations.

The results of a BBL are specific to each patient and our goal is to give you the best version of yourself! There are 3 main factors involved with achieving ideal results:

1) Your Starting Anatomy

Your unique genetic body frame type is the first factor that will help determine your final results from a BBL. We can enhance the appearance of the buttock within the constraints of your unique underlying body framework. You will need to have enough fat stores in order to safely transfer fat to achieve your goal results. Your target sites need to have skin quality which is not too tight and will accept the fat and contour best. 

 

2) What We Do During Surgery

There are technical factors that we have controlled for during surgery in order to maximize fat transfer viability (increase how much fat lives permanently) and safely sculpt your new body contours through liposuction and fat transfer. 

3) Recovery Factors

Then there are also recovery factors that we will educate you on regarding proper compression garment usage and lymphatic massage for optimum results.

We look forward to meeting you during your consultation to discuss your goals and expectations and guide you through this exciting process!

Body contouring after massive weight loss presents unique challenges to performing a BBL. Fortunately, Illuum Cosmetic Surgery will work with you to create a customized solution to achieve your goals. Patients often have excess skin throughout their body which needs to first be removed. This is especially true in the area of the buttock and hips where there can be excess skin that needs to be removed to give the area a more lifted and toned look. Once we have re-established the “canvas”, we can come back during a second surgery to later perform the liposuction and fat transfer.

The BBL procedure is performed under general anesthesia so you will be asleep and not remember or feel anything during surgery. Patients should expect some postoperative moderate discomfort, bruising, and swelling for a few days after the procedure. After abdominal liposuction, it may feel like you did a crunches workout. Pain medications prescribed should help alleviate the discomfort after your procedure. You may still experience some mild pain up to 2-4 weeks postop. By 1 month postop you should not have pain and can resume all activities including heavy lifting and strenuous exercises. We will be in contact with you throughout your recovery to address any of your pain concerns.

Please make sure you are massaged by yourself, friends, family, or professionals daily for about 30 minutes during the first month after surgery. Most patients get their massages done at home by themselves, friends, or family. However, if you choose to get a professional lymphatic massage, please seek out a licensed massage therapist in your area for approximately 3 half-hour massages weekly for 4 weeks. These can be cost prohibitive and do not expect everyone to get them done professionally. As such, most patients end up doing lymphatic massages at home. We can instruct you on the basic of how to perform the lymphatic massage. Gentle motions towards your lymph nodes in the groin or axilla are all that is necessary to mobilize the fluid into your system. Your body will end up peeing out the excess fluid. You only need to massage the areas where liposuction was performed, not the areas of fat transfer. The massages do not need to be done all day. They can last about 30 minutes a day. We recommend performing three ten minute massages or one 30 minute massage daily over all of the areas treated. Most patient do their massage during the 1 hour time that their compression garment is off during the day, either during or after their time in the shower. Massage devices and rolling devices are fine as long as the massage is gently performed.

Initially after a BBL, please resume your diet with light food then advance as tolerated. Please make sure you eat something when taking you pain medications which can cause nausea on an empty stomach. After surgery please a eat high protein diet which provides the building blocks for wound healing and fast recovery. Please avoid sugary and fattening foods. Also, please avoid spicy or salty foods after surgery because they can contribute to water retention and swelling. Please do not go on a starvation diet after surgery because your body needs good nutrition to heal properly. Please maintain an overall healthy diet.

Most patients can return to work after 3 days depending on how active you are at your job. If your job is very active, then you should take 1 week off from work.

Please wait 1 month to resume strenuous activities and heavy lifting after a BBL. You can walk 10 minutes/hour for the first month, but please do not walk 1 mile or longer at a time and please do not walk on the treadmill. Any cardio activity or light exercises even if not in the area where we operated should be avoided. Raising your heart rate and blood pressure as a result of working out can lead to swelling. Swelling can lead to unfavorable results because it prevents your skin from retracting to its new position. The skin needs to retract to its new position otherwise it will remain loose, spongy, and puffy and give the appearance that we did not do any liposuction. When you return to working out, please resume your activities gradually to avoid any sudden development of swelling. If you notice any extra swelling after the resumption of activities, please dial back the intensity or frequency of your workouts. Weight training builds muscle, and cardio helps lose weight. The best type of exercise is cardio workouts to help burn calories such as running, fast walking, swimming, biking, and elliptical. Weight training and sit-ups will help build your muscles to accentuate the high-definition liposuction results. A combination of both cardio and weight training will lead to the maintenance of a thin figure while at the same time building muscle under and around the areas where we did the liposuction.

You will see immediate changes to the shape and size of your buttock and hips after surgery. However, swelling in the areas treated by liposuction will get worse before it gets better and may take up to 1 month until you start to see your final results in those areas, and 3-6 months to see your final results. Bruising generally goes away after a few days but taking Arnica pills starting 2 days preop and for about a week postop may help. Arnica ointment applied to the bruised skin may help as well. There will be drainage from the incisions initially after surgery but as the liposuction incision holes close over a few days the drainage will stop. You can shower 24 hours after surgery and gently massage fluid out of your incisions to help drain any excess swelling. After your incisions heal you should continue doing massage 30 minutes per day for one month. Professional massages may help if you would like to have them. You can go in the pool or beach either after 2 weeks or after your incisions have fully healed.

After a BBL, patients should refrain from sexual activities for 1 week after surgery or until they feel up to it.

BBLs are charged based on your body mass index (BMI), the number of areas treated by liposuction, and the location of treatment. Having your procedure done at our surgery center is more affordable than at a hospital where we cannot control expenses related to anesthesia and facility fees. We try to combine as many areas of liposuction as possible during your BBL but may need to stage your procedure on a separate visit if it looks like you may go over the 5 liters of fat removal limit. Please contact us for a consultation to discuss the several choices for payment we offer. A BBL is not covered by health insurance because it is considered an elective cosmetic procedure.

The length of time a BBL procedure takes depends on the patient’s body mass index (BMI) and the number of areas of liposuction treated. The procedure can take anywhere from 2 to 4 hours. If we are treating someone with a lower BMI with just two or three areas then the procedure may take 2 hours. Full body treatment in a higher BMI patient may take as long as 4 hours. These are outpatient procedures so you will be going home at the end of the procedure.

After your BBL procedure, you should avoid putting pressure directly on your buttock or hips for 1 month. It is important to avoid pressure on the areas of fat transfer because pressure can cause the newly transferred fat cells to reabsorb into your body. This will entail using a BBL pillow for sitting on your upper thighs to avoid pressure on your buttocks. We will provide you with a BBL pillow as part of your recovery package. You should also plan to sleep on your front and/or sides depending on the areas of fat transfer. We will advise you of the optimum positions for sleeping based on your specific procedure.

You will not have any visible scars after your BBL. The incisions for liposuction and fat transfer are so small that once they are healed, these incision sites are practically imperceptible. Plus the majority of them are hidden in stealth locations making them even more difficult to see. You should use sunscreen and/or plan to avoid direct sun exposure to these small incisions for up to one year to help with their healing.

Schedule a Consultation

Whether you’re looking for Dr. Lakin’s expert insight or know exactly what you’re looking for, scheduling a consultation is the obvious and easy next step. Sit down with one of Michigan’s premier plastic surgeons and start your journey into illuminating the best version of yourself.

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Katie Wells BSN, RN

Nurse Injector

She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Michigan State University and worked as an operating room nurse at Michigan Medicine for 2 years before transitioning to aesthetics. She
received her certification as a Nurse Injector, and attended further training and certification through Allergan Medical Institute. She absolutely loves being a Nurse Injector and is very passionate about
combining medicine and the creativity and artistry of aesthetics in her practice. It is extremely important to her to remain educated and up to date with the newest and best treatments and injection techniques. Her goal as an Injector is that when you sit in her chair that you feel comfortable, fully educated on your procedure, and confident and happy in your results when we are done. She loves forming connections with her patients and feels truly honored to be a part of your journey to becoming your most confident self, inside and out! She is a great listener and looks forward to creating an individualized plan to meet each of her patient’s unique goals and desires. Some of her favorite treatments include lip filler, Botox, and midface/cheek filler (but there is so much more!). When she is not injecting, you can find her trying new recipes, spending time with family, working out, gardening, or taking a long walk with her dog.

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Heidi Winkler BSN, RN

Director of Nursing & Surgical Services Leadership

Heidi’s goal is to ensure every patient has a positive experience and is satisfied with the high quality of service provided by our clinical staff. Her passion as a caregiver is to impact each person’s life in a positive way.

Tonya G scaled

Tonya Gilbert BSN, RN

PACU Nurse

Tonya has been a registered nurse for 15 years. She earned her BSN at the University of Michigan. Go Blue!

She started her career as a trauma RN in Detroit. She has been working as a recovery RN for the past 8 years. She loves being part of a team that makes a difference in people’s lives. 

Her passions include lounging with her fur babies, family, and friends, traveling, crunching, and recycling. 

Come Back Again

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