BBL in Turkey: The Complete Guide to Brazilian Butt Lift in Istanbul

This BBL Turkey guide explains how a Brazilian butt lift works, who it may suit, what recovery involves, and what the safety data says. It also covers what to ask before you choose a surgeon in Istanbul. A Brazilian butt lift (BBL) uses fat taken from other parts of your own body to improve the shape, size and contour of the buttocks. It is also called gluteal fat grafting.

The guide is written by the team of Prof. Dr. Özgür Pilancı, a plastic surgeon in Istanbul, using information from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and published research. It is general information, not medical advice. Your own plan depends on a personal assessment.

Important: BBL Has a Higher Risk Than Most Cosmetic Procedures

Please read this section before anything else. In 2018, a task force of leading plastic surgery societies issued an urgent warning about the Brazilian butt lift. It estimated the death rate to be as high as 1 in 3,000, which it described as far greater than any other cosmetic surgery. The main cause identified was fat entering large veins and travelling to the lungs (pulmonary fat embolism).

Since then, surgeons have changed their techniques, and a 2020 survey of surgeons suggests safety has improved (see the safety section below). This does not make the operation risk-free. A BBL should only be considered after a careful assessment, with a surgeon who explains the risks openly.

What Is a Brazilian Butt Lift?

According to the ASPS, buttock augmentation improves the contour, size and shape of the buttocks. It can be done with buttock implants, with fat grafting, or sometimes with a combination of the two. Fat grafting, which transfers fat from one area of the body into the buttocks, is the technique known as the Brazilian butt lift.

A BBL can increase fullness, roundness and projection, and improve the balance of your figure.

BBL, buttock implants and buttock lift: what is the difference?

Brazilian butt lift (fat grafting): uses your own fat to add volume and improve contour.
Buttock implants: silicone-filled devices placed deep within the tissues of the buttock.
Buttock lift: removes excess sagging skin and fat to improve the shape and tone of the area. According to the ASPS, a traditional buttock lift does not make the buttocks larger.

Who May Be a Candidate for a BBL?

Your surgeon decides this at an assessment. Because the fat comes from your own body, your surgeon will check whether you have enough suitable fat to harvest, as well as your general health, medical history and goals. Not every person who asks for a BBL is a suitable candidate, and in some cases your surgeon may recommend a different approach or advise against surgery.

How the BBL Procedure Works

Harvesting fat: fat is taken from one or more areas of your body, usually with liposuction.
Preparing the fat: the fat is processed so it can be transferred.
Transferring the fat: the fat is injected into the buttocks to shape them.
Dressings and garment: small incisions are closed and dressed, and a support garment is applied.

The exact technique, including where in the tissue the fat is placed, matters for safety. Ask your surgeon to explain their method (see the safety section).

BBL Safety: What the Data Says

Gluteal fat grafting was reported by a task force of the Aesthetic Surgery Education and Research Foundation (ASERF) in 2017 to be a high-risk procedure. The task force recommended specific surgical techniques to reduce the risk of pulmonary fat embolism. Several leading societies, including the ASPS, ASAPS and ISAPS, then formed a joint task force on safety in gluteal fat grafting.

A 2020 survey of members of ASAPS and ISAPS, published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal, looked at what changed after those recommendations:

94% of surgeons surveyed were aware of the recommendations
The share of surgeons reporting injection into deep muscle fell from 13.1% in 2017 to 0.8%
Any pulmonary fat embolism was reported at 1 in 2,492 in the two years after the recommendations, compared with 1 in 1,030 in 2017
The trend for deaths fell from 1 in 3,448 in 2017 to 1 in 14,952 in 2019

The authors concluded that safer techniques were being adopted and that safety appeared to have improved. These figures come from a survey of surgeons who chose to respond, not from a complete registry, so they are estimates and cannot predict your own risk. Newer data may differ.

Questions to ask your surgeon about safety

Which technique do you use, and in which layer of tissue is the fat placed?
How do you reduce the risk of fat embolism?
How many BBL procedures have you performed, and have you had complications?
Will the operation take place in a licensed hospital with intensive care available?
How much fat will be transferred, and why is that amount suitable for me?
What happens if there is a problem after I return home?

Other BBL Risks and Complications

The ASPS lists these risks for buttock enhancement procedures:

Anaesthesia risks
Asymmetry
Bleeding (haematoma)
Deep vein thrombosis, and cardiac and pulmonary complications
Death of some fatty tissue under the skin (fat necrosis)
Fluid accumulation (seroma)
Infection
Numbness or other changes in skin sensation
Pain, which may persist
Poor wound healing
Possible need for revision surgery
Recurrent looseness of skin
Skin discolouration and prolonged swelling
Skin loss
Unfavourable scarring

Your surgeon should discuss these risks with you before you give your consent. It is important to ask all your questions directly.

BBL Recovery: What to Expect

According to the ASPS, after buttock enhancement surgery dressings are applied, and small thin tubes (drains) may be placed under the skin to drain excess blood or fluid. You are monitored in a recovery area, and you will be told how long to wear a support garment, which is worn around the clock after surgery.

For a BBL (buttock augmentation with fat grafting), the ASPS says:

Avoid prolonged sitting for about two weeks (some surgeons prefer longer), because prolonged sitting can damage the fat
Sleep face down or on your side
When you must sit, place a pillow or cushion behind your legs to raise the buttocks and avoid pressure on the fat grafts
Your surgeon may suggest lymphatic massage from a licensed therapist
You can generally resume exercise after six to eight weeks

Follow your own surgeon’s instructions, which may differ.

When to seek urgent medical help

If you have shortness of breath, chest pain or an unusual heartbeat after buttock surgery, seek medical attention immediately.

Planning Your Stay and Travel

Ask how long you should stay in Istanbul before flying home, and do not fly until your surgeon clears you
Plan how you will sit, sleep and travel during the first weeks, since sitting is restricted
Arrange help at home for the first days and weeks
Ask how follow-up will work after you go home

How Long Do BBL Results Last?

Some of the transferred fat may not survive, and your final shape can change as swelling settles and the body adapts. Significant weight changes can also change the result. Ask your surgeon what to realistically expect for your body.

BBL Cost in Turkey

The cost of a BBL in Turkey depends on how much fat is harvested and transferred, the areas treated, whether other procedures are combined, the hospital and the length of stay. It also depends on what the package includes, such as tests, medicines, garments, transfers and follow-up. The clinic provides a personalised quote after reviewing your photos and medical history. Compare offers carefully, and remember that for a procedure with serious risks, price should not be the main factor.

Why Choose Istanbul for a BBL?

Istanbul is a major destination for medical travel, with hospitals used to treating international patients. If you are considering a BBL in Istanbul, decide based on the surgeon’s qualifications, the technique, the hospital and the follow-up plan. The ASPS advises choosing a plastic surgeon with the right training for this procedure, and you should verify the qualifications of any surgeon you consider.

Combining a BBL With Other Procedures

A BBL is often combined with liposuction, because fat is harvested from other areas. Some patients also consider a tummy tuck or other body contouring. Combining procedures can add to operating time and risk, so your surgeon will decide what is safe. See our body contouring page for related procedures.

BBL Before and After

When you look at before and after photos, compare patients with a similar body type, and look for photos taken at several stages. Early photos show swelling, and the final shape appears later. You can view examples on our before and after results page. Individual results vary.

BBL Turkey: Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Brazilian butt lift safe?

A BBL is considered a higher-risk cosmetic procedure. Safety appears to have improved since 2017, but serious complications can still occur. The choice of surgeon, technique and hospital matters a great deal.

What is the difference between a BBL and a buttock lift?

A BBL adds volume using your own fat. A buttock lift removes excess skin and fat to improve shape and tone, and a traditional buttock lift does not make the buttocks larger.

How long should I avoid sitting after a BBL?

The ASPS says to avoid prolonged sitting for about two weeks, and some surgeons prefer longer. Follow your own surgeon’s advice.

When can I exercise after a BBL?

The ASPS says you can generally resume exercise after six to eight weeks, but your surgeon will tell you what applies to you.

Will all the fat stay?

Some of the transferred fat may not survive. Your surgeon can explain what to expect in your case.

Is a BBL in Turkey safe?

Safety depends on patient selection, the surgeon’s qualifications and technique, the hospital and aftercare, not on the country alone. Ask the safety questions listed above before you travel.

How long should I stay in Istanbul after a BBL?

This depends on your surgeon’s advice and how you heal. Ask before booking flights, and do not fly until you are cleared.

How much does a BBL cost in Turkey?

It depends on the amount of fat transferred, the areas treated, the hospital and what the package includes. You receive a personalised quote after your consultation.

Sources and Further Reading

Your Next Step

If you are considering a BBL in Istanbul, you can request a free online consultation with Prof. Dr. Özgür Pilancı. Share your photos and questions, and the team will advise whether you may be a suitable candidate and discuss the risks openly.

Request a free online consultation

See also our other plastic surgery guides.

This guide is for general information and does not replace a medical consultation. Individual results vary.