— Brazilian Butt Lift · subcutaneous-only · ultrasound-guided
Safe Brazilian Butt Lift with Dr. Scottsdale® — fat transfer to the buttocks restricted to the subcutaneous (above-muscle) plane with ultrasound guidance throughout. Following the Aesthetic Society's SAFE BBL safety protocol that eliminates the fat-embolism risk of traditional intramuscular BBL technique.
A Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) reshapes and augments the buttocks by transferring the patient's own fat from other areas of the body. At Dr. Scottsdale's practice, BBL is performed exclusively as a Safe BBL — following the SAFE BBL protocol established by the Aesthetic Society and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
Traditional BBL technique allowed fat to be injected into or below the gluteal muscle. Large veins (the gluteal veins) run through that muscle, and if a fat-injection cannula entered one of those veins, fat globules could travel through the venous system and lodge in the lungs — a fat embolism. This made traditional BBL one of the most dangerous procedures in plastic surgery, with reported mortality rates higher than any other elective cosmetic operation.
Safe BBL eliminates that risk. Fat is injected only into the subcutaneous (above-muscle) plane of the buttocks — where no large veins live. Ultrasound guidance is used throughout the procedure to confirm the cannula tip is in the correct plane in real time. The muscle is never penetrated.
The operation has two phases. Phase one is Vaser-assisted liposuction of donor sites — typically the abdomen, flanks, lower back, and bra-line — which also reshapes the waistline. Phase two processes the harvested fat (separating viable fat cells from fluid and debris) and re-injects it into the subcutaneous plane of the buttocks via small cannulas, with continuous ultrasound guidance to keep the cannula above the muscle.
The volume that can be transferred depends on donor-site availability and the subcutaneous capacity of your tissue — not on patient request. Most Safe BBL patients receive 400–900cc per side. Aggressive over-transfer above the subcutaneous capacity reduces fat survival and produces an unnatural shape; the goal is the most natural-looking proportional result, not the largest possible volume.
No direct sitting on the buttocks for the first 2 weeks — a BBL pillow that off-loads pressure to the thighs is used for sitting at work and at home. Most patients return to desk work at 2 weeks with the pillow. The compression garment is worn for 6 weeks. Lymphatic massage helps swelling resolve. Final contour is visible at 3–6 months as transferred fat establishes its blood supply (typically 60–80% of transferred fat takes long-term).
Donor-site assessment, volume targets, and a surgical plan tailored to your anatomy. Virtual ($300), in-person ($500), or free PCC orientation.