BBL or Brazilian Butt Lift surgery, also known as gluteal fat grafting has been a popular plastic surgery procedure in the last couple of years. Thousands of women desiring to round out their bottom or to enhance their shape have undergone BBLs to achieve their dream of a more beautiful body.
What is BBL surgery?
BBL surgery involves the suctioning of the patient’s existing fat tissue from another part of their body (harvesting the fat) and injecting it into the gluteal area (buttocks). Unfortunately, this plastic surgery has been associated with many deaths.
Can BBL Surgery cause serious injury or death?
According to the Florida Department of Health and the Board of Medicine, the death rate for Brazilian Butt Lift surgery is the highest of all plastic and cosmetic surgeries. The mortality rate is 1/3000 patients. The majority of the deaths are caused by fat embolism, which occurs when fat gets into the bloodstream and blocks circulation. You can read more about this here.
Does Florida have special rules for performing BBL surgery?
The problem with injuries after BBL surgeries was so bad that the Florida Department of Health issued two Emergency Orders restricting how plastic surgeons perform the procedure.
On June 7, 2019, the Florida Board of Medicine found that the risk of death increases when the fat is injected beyond the subcutaneous tissue, into the muscle, and under the muscle. The Board issued an emergency rule prohibiting plastic surgeons from injecting the fat “below the superficial gluteal fascia.” But, this rule did not seem to help with the death rate from BBL surgery. Plastic surgery patients continued to get injured and suffer from fat emboli when the cannula went too deep. So, on June 14, 2022, the Florida Department of Health and the Board of Medicine issued a secondary emergency rule, further restricting how plastic surgeons perform BBL in Florida. This time the Board mandated two additional restrictions.
Plastic surgeons are now required to use an ultrasound device to guide the cannula as it is inserted into the tissue to prevent accidental piercing of the gluteal fascia. And, plastic surgeons are prohibited from performing more than three (3) Brazilian Butt Lift surgeries per calendar day. The Board noted that, if done correctly, a surgeon cannot possibly do more than three BBL surgeries per day.
Read the Emergency Order issued by the Florida Department of Health and the Board of Medicine.
Recently a famous Instagram influencer died at 29 years old after suffering a complication from a botched BBL surgery.
Can you sue your plastic or cosmetic surgeon for a botched BBL surgery in Florida?
Yes. If you suffered an injury from a negligent Brazilian Butt Lift surgery, you have the right to file a medical malpractice lawsuit against your doctor. You should discuss your case with an experienced Florida Cosmetic Procedure Injury Attorney.
LOU LAW is a Florida Cosmetic Procedure Injury law firm. We are proud to represent women and men in cases involving Botched Cosmetic Procedures and Plastic Surgery Malpractice. Our Florida Cosmetic Procedure Injury Attorney has obtained many successful recoveries for clients from all over the state including Orlando, Jacksonville, Tampa, Miami, Boca Raton, Sarasota, and Naples, Florida.
