Brazilian Butt Lift
Brazilian Butt Lift NJ & NYC
A Brazilian Butt Lift, also known as a BBL or gluteal augmentation, is a procedure designed to increase the volume and reshape the buttocks using fat collected from other areas of the body. Because your own fat is used rather than an implant, the results feel natural and there is no risk of rejection or implant-related complications.
Whether you are looking for a more youthful appearance or more definition, a Brazilian Butt Lift can help you look and feel more confident in your skin. Dr. Joseph A. Racanelli is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon known for advanced contouring techniques and natural-looking outcomes.
Gluteal augmentation
Volume, lift, and contour through fat transfer
Donor site sculpting
Body contouring plus buttock enhancement
Outpatient procedure
Typically completed in 2–4 hours
Dr. Racanelli's Approach to Brazilian Butt Lift Surgery
The BBL is one of the most technically demanding body contouring procedures we perform, not because the concept is complicated, but because the quality of the result depends entirely on precision at every step. How fat is harvested, how it is processed, where it is placed, and at what depth all determine whether the outcome looks natural or overdone, and whether the transferred fat survives long-term.
I use VASER ultrasound-assisted liposuction to harvest fat because it is gentler on the fat cells than traditional liposuction techniques. Healthier fat cells have higher survival rates after transfer, which means more of the volume we create on the table translates into lasting results for the patient. The donor areas, typically the abdomen, flanks, waist, and lower back, are sculpted at the same time, which contributes to the overall silhouette improvement patients often notice beyond just the buttock enhancement.
After processing, fat is reinjected in carefully layered passes to build volume gradually and evenly. The goal is projection and shape that looks proportionate to the patient's frame, not the largest possible result, but the most balanced one. I discuss the specific projection and shape goals with each patient during consultation so we are aligned on what we are trying to achieve before we schedule surgery.
About the BBL
BBL Safety: What You Should Know
The Brazilian Butt Lift has historically had the highest mortality rate of any cosmetic surgical procedure, a fact that has driven significant changes in technique guidelines across the plastic surgery community. The primary risk is fat embolism, a complication that occurs when fat is inadvertently injected into the intramuscular space or a blood vessel in the gluteal region, rather than the subcutaneous layer above the muscle.
Understanding this risk, Dr. Racanelli follows the most current safety protocols for BBL surgery, including subcutaneous-only fat injection above the gluteal muscle. Avoiding intramuscular and subfascial injection is the single most important factor in eliminating the primary mortality risk associated with this procedure.
All BBL procedures at Dr. Racanelli's practice are performed in an accredited hospital setting with a board-certified anesthesiologist present throughout surgery, not in a standalone surgical suite or medspa environment. Patient health is screened thoroughly before surgery is scheduled.
If you are researching BBL surgery and are evaluating providers, the questions worth asking any surgeon are: Where is the surgery performed? Is a board-certified anesthesiologist present? What injection depth protocol do you follow? The answers to these questions matter more than price.
Candidates
Who may be a good candidate for a BBL?
1
Good overall health
Candidates should be in good health without conditions that could impair healing or complicate the procedure.
2
Stable, maintainable weight
It is helpful to be at your ideal sustainable weight because major changes can affect results.
3
Adequate donor fat
A BBL requires sufficient fat in donor areas (abdomen, flanks, thighs, back) to harvest and transfer. Dr. Racanelli will assess donor site availability during your consultation.
4
Realistic expectations
The best candidates understand that fat survival varies and that a second procedure may occasionally be recommended to achieve the final desired volume. Dr. Racanelli discusses expected retention rates during your consultation.
BBL is not recommended for patients who are significantly underweight, plan to lose a large amount of weight after surgery, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have medical conditions that impair safe healing. Non-smokers or patients willing to stop smoking at least 4–6 weeks before and after surgery are the strongest candidates.
Personal Consultation
One-on-one planning before your procedure is scheduled
Every patient meets with Dr. Racanelli before scheduling surgery. During this consultation, he gets to know each patient’s body and goals, explains the details of the procedure, reviews preparation and recovery instructions, and discusses the cost of treatment.
This is also the time to ask questions, voice concerns, and receive a personalized treatment recommendation based on your anatomy and desired result.
Preparation
What to do before your BBL
- Stop using medications or supplements that may thin the blood if instructed
- Stop smoking 4–6 weeks before the procedure and avoid tobacco and nicotine until fully healed
- Maintain a stable weight before surgery, especially after significant weight changes
- Arrange transportation home after the procedure
- Arrange assistance ahead of time, as anesthesia can leave you groggy afterward
Procedure
From planning to surgical technique
Fat harvesting with VASER
On the day of surgery, anesthesia is administered for comfort. Dr. Racanelli uses VASER technology to harvest fat cells from areas with excess fat. VASER liposuction uses ultrasound technology to selectively target fat and can help contour donor sites like the abdomen, waist, thighs, arms, back, and neck. VASER technology is gentler on harvested fat cells than traditional liposuction, which improves the viability of the transferred fat and contributes to better long-term volume retention.
Fat purification
The harvested fat is processed to separate the healthiest, most viable fat cells from unnecessary components so only quality tissue is used during transfer.
Strategic reinjection
Purified fat is carefully layered into selected points on the buttocks to shape, contour, and create the desired figure. Incisions are then closed, and the outpatient procedure typically lasts between 2–4 hours depending on treatment extent. Fat is injected exclusively into the subcutaneous layer above the gluteal muscle, the technique that current safety guidelines identify as essential for minimizing procedural risk.
Recovery & Results
Protect the transferred fat while swelling subsides
Early recovery
Swelling, bruising, and discomfort are normal after a BBL and often improve after the first week. During the first 1–2 weeks, patients should avoid sitting or lying in ways that place pressure directly on the buttocks. The team provides guidance on how to sit, rest, and move safely.
Results
Fat Survival and Final Results: Not all transferred fat cells survive the healing process, this is normal and expected. Approximately 60–80% of transferred fat typically survives long-term. The final result becomes apparent at around 3–6 months once swelling has fully resolved and the surviving fat has settled into its permanent position.
Recovery support
Patients are advised to eat nutritiously, maintain a healthy diet, and continue refraining from nicotine and tobacco until fully approved by Dr. Racanelli to resume. Most patients return to desk work within 1 week. Strenuous exercise and extended sitting or pressure on the buttocks should be avoided for 6–8 weeks. Dr. Racanelli provides individualized recovery guidance at each follow-up appointment.
Results
Enhanced shape and more defined donor areas
Buttock enhancement
After a BBL, patients can enjoy fuller, rounder, and more defined buttocks with a natural look and feel because their own fat is used to build the contour.
Body contouring benefits
Patients also notice that the donor areas from which fat was harvested appear slimmer, more toned, and more sculpted, contributing to an overall improved silhouette.
Natural feel and movement
Because the enhancement uses your own living fat tissue rather than an implant, the result moves and feels natural. There is no implant to shift, rupture, or replace.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common BBL Procedure Questions
Am I eligible for a BBL?
How does a BBL work?
Fat is removed from areas with excess volume, processed, and then reinjected into the buttocks to enhance shape and volume.
Is the BBL painful?
It is normal to experience discomfort during recovery, but this can usually be managed with medication and proper aftercare.
Can I sit after a BBL?
You should avoid placing direct pressure on the buttocks during the first 4–6 weeks of recovery. Most patients can gradually resume normal sitting at 6–8 weeks, with Dr. Racanelli's clearance.
How long do BBL results last?
BBL results are intended to be long-lasting. Once the transferred fat has survived the initial healing period (typically 3–6 months), it behaves like the fat that was always there. Significant weight changes after surgery can affect the result, weight loss may reduce volume, while weight gain can increase it. Maintaining a stable weight helps preserve the outcome.
How much of the transferred fat survives?
Not all transferred fat cells survive the healing process, this is a normal part of the procedure. Approximately 60–80% of transferred fat typically survives long-term. Dr. Racanelli accounts for this expected reduction when planning the volume transferred during surgery.
Is a BBL safer than buttock implants?
How much does a BBL cost in New Jersey?
The cost of BBL surgery depends on the extent of liposuction needed at donor sites, total surgery time, and hospital and anesthesia fees. A personalized cost estimate is provided during your consultation. Financing is available through Cherry for qualified patients.
Cost of BBL Surgery in New Jersey & New York City
The cost of a Brazilian Butt Lift depends on several factors: the extent of VASER liposuction performed at donor sites, total surgical duration, operating room fees, and anesthesia costs. Because every BBL is customized to the patient's anatomy and goals, a meaningful cost estimate can only be provided after a consultation.
Dr. Racanelli's team provides a detailed, itemized cost breakdown at your consultation so you understand exactly what is included before making any decisions. Financing options are available through Cherry for qualified patients.
Why Patients Choose Dr. Racanelli for Brazilian Butt Lift Surgery
As a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Dr. Racanelli brings comprehensive surgical training to every BBL procedure, including the anatomical understanding necessary to perform fat transfer safely and effectively. His use of VASER ultrasound-assisted liposuction for fat harvesting, combined with meticulous fat processing and layered reinjection technique, is designed to maximize fat survival and produce balanced, proportionate results.
All procedures are performed in an accredited hospital setting with a board-certified anesthesiologist, not in a medspa or outpatient surgical suite. Every patient meets directly with Dr. Racanelli for consultation and is treated by Dr. Racanelli personally on the day of surgery.
Patients travel from throughout New Jersey and New York City for BBL consultations, including from Morristown, Summit, Short Hills, Montclair, Hoboken, Jersey City, and Manhattan.
Ready to Feel Like Yourself Again?
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Joseph Racanelli
Discuss your goals and personalized treatment plan with a surgeon who is directly involved every step of the way.