What actually happens during the procedure
- Fat is removed from donor areas (commonly the abdomen, flanks, or back) via liposuction
- The harvested fat is processed and purified
- Purified fat is injected into the buttocks to add volume and shape
The safety context that matters more than any other detail
BBL carries the highest mortality rate of any cosmetic procedure specifically when fat is injected intramuscularly rather than subcutaneously (into the fat layer above the muscle, not into the muscle itself). This is a technique distinction, not a general procedure risk — a subcutaneous-only protocol, verified directly with your surgeon, is the single most important safety factor.
Typical recovery basics
Initial recovery typically runs 10–14 days before flying is considered safe, with compression garment use and restricted direct sitting pressure on the treated area for a period specified by your surgeon.
Where to go for cost and provider information
This explainer intentionally doesn't cover pricing — see colombiabbl.co for current Colombia-specific BBL provider information, or our sister site's BBL cost comparison for pricing across destinations.
The Takeaway
Before anything else about this procedure, confirm your surgeon uses a subcutaneous-only fat transfer technique — ask directly, in writing.