Is It Safe to Have a Brazilian buttlift (BBL) with Multiple Medical Problems?

Question: I'm 57, weigh 212 lbs, African American woman, Type 2 diabetic, high blood pressure and cholesterol. Is it safe to have a BBL and what is risk of major complications?

Answer: Overall medical health and suitability of the procedure are just as important as the BMI.  BMI (body mass index) should be under 35 and closer to 30 for best results and reduction of complications.

Your plastic surgeon would need to review your health history to determine the risk factors that would impact healing and complications during and after surgery. Your blood pressure would have to be well controlled. Your blood sugars would have to be well controlled and your HgbA1c would have to indicate good long term control. Finally, your cholesterol would need to treated as well. The key is the optimization of all the medical issues before surgery. In addition, you would need medical clearance to determine if you have underlying end organ damage from the diseases that would place you at a higher risk for complications if you were to have a Brazilian buttlift (BBL). Furthermore, previous history of pulmonary embolus puts you at greater risk for pulmonary embolus. Any issues with previous anesthesia or allergies could lead to increased risk for complications as well. All of these many issues need to be identified appropriately, treated as much as possible, and then categorized to determine the overall risk for the procedure. If the risk is judged to be too high, the procedure should not be performed.

Dr. Kenneth Benjamin Hughes, MD, ABPS Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in Los Angeles, CA