Brazilian Butt Lift in Bellevue
Fuller, Natural Curves With Your Own Fat
A Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) at Pacific Sound Plastic Surgery is a body-contouring procedure that uses your own fat — harvested from areas where you have it in abundance — to add volume, shape, and projection to your buttocks. The result is a naturally fuller silhouette with the added benefit of slimming the donor areas at the same time. Dr. Kristopher Day, double board-certified and Ivy League trained, performs every BBL under ultrasound guidance in accordance with ASPS safety guidelines, ensuring precise fat placement and the highest standard of patient safety.
Double Board-Certified (ABPS + ABS)
Ivy League Trained
Highly Rated Bellevue Plastic Surgeon
Proudly Serving Bellevue, Seattle, Kirkland, Redmond, Mercer Island, Issaquah, Renton
What Is A Brazilian Butt Lift?
A Brazilian Butt Lift is a two-stage body contouring procedure: liposuction first removes excess fat from donor areas such as the abdomen, flanks, lower back, and thighs — slimming and reshaping those areas in the process — and that fat is then purified and strategically re-injected into the buttocks to create volume, projection, and shape. Because the procedure uses your own biological tissue rather than implants, the body recognizes transferred fat as its own, and implant-related complications are not a concern.
You may hear this technique referred to as ‘reverse liposuction’ — a useful description, because the fat removed in one area is given a new purpose in another. The end result is a comprehensive transformation: a slimmer waist and midsection, and a fuller, more lifted posterior.
How the Procedure Works — 3 Steps
Step 1 — Liposuction Harvest
Fat is removed from donor areas (abdomen, flanks, thighs, lower back) using small 2–3mm poke-hole incisions. Depending on your anatomy and goals, Dr. Day may use energy-assisted liposuction — Renuvion or VASER — to maximize fat quality and skin tightening in the donor zones.
Step 2 — Fat Processing & Purification
Harvested fat is processed and purified to isolate the healthiest, most viable fat cells for transfer. The processing step is critical to long-term survival of transferred fat.
Step 3 — Targeted Fat Injection
Purified fat is carefully injected in small, precise passes throughout multiple layers of the buttocks — NEVER into the gluteal muscle — under ultrasound guidance per ASPS safety guidelines. This technique ensures uniform volume distribution and the highest standard of patient safety.
Benefits of a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL)
Women throughout Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, and the surrounding communities choose a BBL for its uniquely dual benefit: it creates the curves they want while simultaneously contouring the areas that have always bothered them most. The appeal is comprehensive rather than isolated.
Natural Look and Feel
Because the added volume is your own fat, the results integrate seamlessly with your tissues — moving and feeling like your natural body, without the firmness or potential complications of implants.
Dual-Zone Contouring
Every BBL includes liposuction from donor areas, meaning you benefit from both enhancement and slimming in one surgical session — an efficiency no isolated implant procedure can offer.
Improved Body Proportions
Fuller buttocks create a more balanced hourglass silhouette, bringing your lower body into proportion with your upper frame.
No Implant-Related Risks
Without a foreign device, there is no capsular contracture, implant displacement, or need for future implant exchange due to device aging.
Long-Lasting Results
Fat that survives the transfer — approximately 40–50% of the injected volume — is designed to be long-lasting and becomes a stable part of your body. Results are long-lasting when you maintain a stable, healthy weight. Significant weight fluctuation after surgery will affect the transferred fat just as it affects all other body fat deposits.
"Dr. Day helped me with a seroma drainage. I had fluid built up in my stomach after flying to Miami to have a BBL done. After the chaos that I have gone through I would highly recommend to stay in Bellevue and see Dr. Day for liposuction or BBL. You will not save any money after travel/hotel and definitely not if you have complications. Dr. Day is responsive and very knowledgeable. I will definitely be using him for my future surgeries."
— Roberta L., BBL Patient • Google Review
Am I a Good Candidate for a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL)?
A BBL is well-suited for patients who want to enhance the size and shape of their buttocks without implants and who have sufficient fat reserves in donor areas to harvest. Dr. Day evaluates candidacy individually — anatomy, health history, and goals all factor into the plan.
- Ideal Candidates
- Sufficient donor fat available (abdomen, flanks, thighs, or lower back)
- In good overall health with no uncontrolled medical conditions
- Non-smoker, or willing to quit at least 6 weeks before surgery
- Weight has been stable for at least 6 months
- Realistic expectations about the degree of enhancement achievable
- When to Consider Waiting
- BMI over 35 — higher complication risk at this threshold
- Insufficient donor fat — a non-surgical BBL alternative may be discussed
- Active smoker unwilling to cease 6 weeks pre-operatively
- Planning significant weight loss — wait until weight has stabilized
- Pregnant, recently postpartum, or breastfeeding
- Managing an uncontrolled systemic illness or active infection
Not Sure If You're a Candidate?
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Day to discuss your goals and options.
Your Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) Journey
From consultation through your final follow-up, Dr. Day’s approach is personal, unhurried, and centered entirely on your specific anatomy and goals.
Step 1 — Your Consultation with Dr. Day
Your consultation is a thorough, one-on-one conversation with Dr. Day — typically 45–60 minutes. He will assess your donor fat availability, discuss your aesthetic vision for your buttocks, and be completely transparent about what is and is not achievable given your anatomy. He will also explain the role of ultrasound guidance in your procedure and what that means for your safety. There is no sales pressure and no standardized approach.
Step 2 — Preparing for Surgery
Before your procedure, you will complete a pre-operative appointment where your surgical plan is reviewed in detail. Instructions include: stopping NSAIDs, blood thinners, herbal supplements, and vitamin E at least two weeks before surgery; nicotine cessation for a minimum of 6 weeks pre-operatively; and guidance on nutrition and hydration in the days leading up to surgery.
Step 3 — Day of Surgery
Your BBL is performed at one of Dr. Day’s accredited surgical facilities in the Bellevue area under general anesthesia administered by a board-certified anesthesiologist or certified registered nurse anesthetist. The procedure typically takes 2–4 hours depending on the volume of fat harvested and the complexity of contouring. Dr. Day uses ultrasound guidance throughout fat injection as a standard safety protocol.
Step 4 — Recovery Timeline
Step 5 — Follow-Up Care
All post-operative follow-up appointments are included in your care. Dr. Day schedules check-ins at key milestones and remains available for any questions or concerns that arise between visits.
Days 1
What to Expect
Walking encouraged — low-grade activity begins immediately. Lying on your side or stomach is required; special BBL recovery pillow used when seated.
Days 2–7 (Week 1)
What to Expect
Desk and sedentary work resumes. Continue walking. Avoid sitting directly on buttocks — use BBL pillow or stand/lie as needed. ‘No grimace, grunt, strain, or sweat’ is the guideline for all activities.
Weeks 2–4
What to Expect
The no-sit restriction typically ends at 2-3 weeks. A gradual return to exertional activity begins, starting at 50% of your pre-operative baseline and increasing by about 5% per day to achieve light exercise. Compression garments are worn per the 23-and-3 Rule as swelling and bruising continue to resolve.
Weeks 4–6
What to Expect
Full unrestricted activity including lower body exercise and high-impact movement. Results visible as swelling fully resolves.
3–6 Months
What to Expect
Final results visible as transferred fat stabilizes. Approximately 40–50% of injected volume is retained for the long term.
Compression Garment — 23-and-3 Rule
Following your BBL, you will wear a compression garment on your donor areas for 23 hours per day — removing it only to shower and launder the garment. Minimum wear: 3 weeks. Continued use for 3 months or until optimal contour is achieved is encouraged for best results. Compression garments are available through our office: https://krisdayplasticsurgery.com/contour-garments/
Post-Weight-Loss Body Contouring Spotlight
Weight loss — whether through lifestyle changes, bariatric surgery, or GLP-1 medications — achieves remarkable results on the scale. But it often leaves patients with a body that feels unfinished: deflated curves, loose skin, and a loss of the projection and shape that made them feel their most confident. A BBL addresses exactly this kind of change.
For patients who have reached a stable weight after significant loss, a BBL can restore volume and shape that diet and exercise cannot replicate. The procedure redistributes remaining fat strategically — contouring areas with excess while building volume where it is needed most. Combined with a tummy tuck or body lift, it is often part of a comprehensive post-weight-loss body contouring plan.
What Results Can I Expect from a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL)?
When Results Are Visible
You will see an immediate change in volume following surgery, though swelling will be pronounced for the first one to two weeks. As swelling resolves over weeks 3–6, your early results become clearly visible. Final volume stabilizes at 3–6 months, once transferred fat has integrated and the absorption process is complete.
How Long Results Last
Fat that survives the transfer — approximately 40–50% of the injected volume — becomes a long-lasting part of your body. Results are long-lasting when you maintain a stable, healthy weight. Significant weight fluctuation after surgery will affect the transferred fat just as it affects all other body fat deposits.
Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) Cost in Bellevue
The cost of your BBL reflects the full scope of your personalized surgical plan — not a commodity price. The largest factor in determining your cost is the time required in the operating room. Our facility fee covers anesthesia, equipment, surgical staff, and post-operative recovery time.
What Affects Your BBL Price
- Volume of fat harvested and transferred
- Number of donor areas treated
- Use of energy-based liposuction (Renuvion or VASER)
- Anesthesia type and total operating time
- Facility fee
- Combined procedures included in your plan
What's Included in Your Investment
- Surgeon's fee
- Facility / operating room fee
- Anesthesia (administered by a board-certified anesthesiologist or certified registered nurse anesthetist)
- Enhanced Recovery After Surgery medication (Exparel)
- Cosmetic surgery insurance coverage (Cosmetasure)
- High-end compression garment (Isavella)
- High-end scar ointment (Biocorneum)
- Swelling and bruising ointment (Arnica)
- All post-operative recovery and follow-up care
Financing Options
Pacific Sound Plastic Surgery accepts financing through two trusted healthcare lending partners:
- CareCredit — 6-month financing available
- Alphaeon Credit — flexible credit lines designed for healthcare procedures
Ask our patient care coordinator about financing during your consultation.
Starting from $8,500
Includes liposuction harvest. Your final cost depends on your individualized surgical plan. Dr. Day will provide a detailed estimate during your consultation.
Call (425) 818-8991.
Dr. Day's Approach To BBL Safety
The Brazilian Butt Lift has historically carried a higher complication profile than many other body contouring procedures, primarily due to improper fat injection technique. At Pacific Sound Plastic Surgery, Dr. Day’s approach incorporates two critical safety standards:
Ultrasound Guidance
Every fat injection is performed under real-time ultrasound visualization, allowing Dr. Day to confirm fat placement in the subcutaneous layer — completely above the gluteal muscle — at all times. This protocol aligns with ASPS safety guidelines and significantly reduces the risk of the procedure’s most serious complications.
No Intramuscular Injection
Fat is injected ONLY into the subcutaneous fat layer of the buttocks. Intramuscular injection is associated with rare but serious vascular complications and is not part of Dr. Day’s technique.
Board-Certified Double Safety Net
Dr. Day is double board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) and the American Board of Surgery (ABS), and trained at an Ivy League institution. His dual certification means your procedure is overseen by a surgeon credentialed in both the aesthetic and the foundational surgical disciplines.
What If I Don't Have Enough Fat For A BBL?
Not every patient has sufficient donor fat for a traditional BBL — and that’s a conversation Dr. Day will have honestly with you at your consultation. For patients who want buttock enhancement but don’t have adequate fat reserves, there are options
- Non-Surgical BBL
- Injectable treatments using Sculptra (poly-L-lactic acid) or allograft-based fillers can add subtle volume and improve shape without surgery. Results are temporary but require no downtime.
- Buttock Implants
- For patients who want significant volume but lack donor fat, silicone buttock implants placed within or beneath the gluteal muscle may be an appropriate option. Dr. Day will discuss whether this is right for your anatomy and goals.
Conveniently Located for Eastside Families
Pacific Sound Plastic Surgery is centrally located in downtown Bellevue, making Dr. Day’s fellowship-trained expertise accessible to families throughout Bellevue and the greater Eastside — without the stress of navigating Seattle traffic. Our patients enjoy a private, boutique surgical experience with on-site validated parking, just minutes from the communities they call home.
Seattle
~15 minutes
World-class plastic surgery results without the downtown Seattle parking hassle. A quick drive across SR-520 or I-90 to our private Bellevue office.
Kirkland
~10 minutes
Just minutes from downtown Kirkland and the Juanita waterfront via I-405 or surface streets.
Redmond
~10 minutes
Convenient for the Redmond tech community via SR-520 or surface streets.
Mercer Island
~10 minutes
A quick drive across I-90. Our discreet, private environment is ideal for discerning Mercer Island residents.
Issaquah
~10 minutes
Convenient for Issaquah Highlands and Gilman Village area families via I-90.
Renton
~5 minutes
Easy access from Renton and the Landing via I-405 North. Boutique care and personalized attention just minutes away.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is BBL recovery?
Light walking is encouraged from day one with a gradual return to activity, achieving light exercise at Weeks 2-4 and a return to full, unrestricted activity at Weeks 4–6. Final results are visible at 3–6 months.
How long does a BBL last?
Fat that successfully integrates after transfer — approximately 40–50% of the injected volume — is designed to be long-lasting and becomes a stable part of your anatomy. Results can be enjoyed for many years with maintained body weight.
How long do I have to avoid sitting after a BBL?
The no-direct-sitting period is typically 2–3 weeks. During this time, you will use a specialized BBL recovery pillow when seated to keep pressure off the buttocks and protect the newly transferred fat. Dr. Day will advise the specific duration for your procedure.
How much of the transferred fat survives?
On average, approximately 40–50% of the injected volume is retained for the long term. The exact retention rate varies by patient, technique, and post-operative care. This is why Dr. Day slightly over-injects to account for expected absorption.
Will I have visible scars from a BBL?
Liposuction incisions are 2–3mm poke holes — typically placed in natural skin folds or inconspicuous areas. Fat injection sites are similarly small. Most patients find their scars fade to barely visible within several months.
What if I don't have enough fat for a BBL?
If you lack sufficient donor fat, Dr. Day will discuss alternatives including non-surgical BBL options (Sculptra, allograft fillers) or buttock implants. He will be transparent about what is and is not achievable with your current anatomy.
Is a BBL safe?
When performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon using ultrasound guidance and proper technique — with fat injected only into the subcutaneous layer — the BBL is a safe and effective procedure. Complications are rare when these protocols are followed. Dr. Day adheres to all current ASPS safety guidelines for gluteal fat grafting, including the use of ultrasound guidance as outlined in the ASPS Gluteal Fat Grafting Safety Advisory (plasticsurgery.org/documents/Patient-Safety/BBL/Gluteal-Fat-Grafting-Safety-Advisory_Aug22.pdf).
Can I combine a BBL with a tummy tuck?
Yes. Many patients combine a BBL with a tummy tuck or liposuction in a single surgical session for comprehensive body transformation. Dr. Day will assess whether combined surgery is safe and appropriate at your consultation.
When will I see my final results?
Most swelling resolves by weeks 3–6. Final results — including the stabilized transferred fat volume — are visible at 3–6 months post-surgery.