Transgender Body Feminization Surgery: Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL)

Consultations offered at our two convenient locations in Los Angeles and Lancaster, CA or by virtual appointment.

A Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) for body feminization, also known as a transgender BBL or MTF BBL, is a gender-affirming surgery designed to elevate the shape and volume of your buttocks. It transfers fat from other areas of the body, usually the waist, thighs, and flanks, to the buttocks to enhance the fullness of your hips and improve your contours, helping you achieve a more feminine figure.

Dr. Sean Satey has years of extensive experience performing BBLs. He is an internationally recognized, fellowship-trained cosmetic surgeon and has been named the 2026 President of the California Academy of Cosmetic Surgery. Dr. Satey and his team are proud to offer a welcoming environment for patients seeking gender-affirming care.

If you are ready to start working with Dr. Satey, please submit our online contact form or call (424) 500-3320.

Insurance Coverage

In many cases, the BBL for body feminization can be covered by insurance. Gender-affirming surgery, including the BBL for feminization, is often considered medically necessary. These kinds of surgeries can help improve the quality of patients’ lives by aligning their appearance with their identity. For cis-gender patients, this surgery is typically considered cosmetic, but for patients who are transitioning or who have a more feminine gender identity that does not match their current appearance, it is a form of insurance-eligible, gender-affirming surgery.

About BBL for Feminization

BBLs may be performed as a form of gender-affirming surgery for both cis-gender and trans-gender women who want to improve their buttocks shape and achieve a more traditionally feminine appearance.

About VASER-Assisted Liposuction

VASER is the gold standard for both liposuction and fat transfer surgeries. VASER stands for Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy at Resonance: this technology uses ultrasound waves to break down fat before removal. (1) It offers an unparalleled fat survival rate, ensuring the most viable fat cells are transferred. Older methods typically only see about half the fat survive. Dr. Satey will use VASER-assisted liposuction to remove fat from donor areas before transferring the fat to the buttocks. He specializes in VASER and is one of few surgical educators who train other professionals around the world. He has trained dozens of other medical professionals on how to use VASER and bring the transformational surgery to their own practices.

Benefits

There are numerous benefits associated with our BBL for feminization, including:

  • Improved Contours: BBL surgery can elevate the shape, fullness, and symmetry of your buttocks, providing you with a more sculpted silhouette.
  • Dual Benefits: Dr. Satey performs VASER-assisted liposuction when transferring fat for your surgery, leaving these other areas more slender and toned.
  • Increased Hip-to-Waist Ratio: Transferring fat from other areas of your body to your buttocks can emphasize feminine curves and proportions in the hips and waist.
  • Personalized Solutions: Dr. Satey designs each treatment plan around your natural anatomy, concerns, and desired outcomes. This ensures that the techniques he performs are the most effective for your needs and that your surgery results align with your aesthetic expectations.
  • Elevated Body Positivity: Gender-affirming surgeries, such as feminizing BBLs, can help both transgender and cisgender women feel more comfortable in their bodies, elevating their sense of self-esteem and confidence.

Candidates

You may be a candidate for a BBL if you are interested in enhancing the shape, symmetry, and fullness of your buttocks to feminize your figure.

To qualify for a feminizing BBL, you will need to have an adequate amount of donor fat. You should be in good general health and have realistic expectations regarding the results of your surgery. It is also important that you are nonsmoking or willing to quit using nicotine entirely. Dr. Satey will determine your candidacy during your personal consultation.

Personal Consultation

To schedule your consultation with Dr. Satey and receive your personalized treatment plan, please submit our online contact form. You may also reach our Los Angeles and Lancaster offices by calling (424) 500-3320.

We proudly serve clients throughout the Los Angeles area, including the nearby towns, cities, and landmarks such as:

  • Beverly Hills
  • Westwood
  • Santa Monica
  • Wilshire Blvd
  • Miracle Mile
  • Mid-Wilshire
  • Hancock Park
  • Fairfax District
  • West Hollywood
  • Hollywood
  • La Brea
  • Koreatown
  • Century City
  • Culver City
  • Melrose Avenue
  • La Cienega Blvd
  • Sunset Blvd
  • Pico Blvd
  • Olympic Blvd
  • Silverlake
  • Los Feliz
  • Long Beach

Preparation

To guide you, Dr. Satey will give you a set of detailed preoperative instructions. He may direct you to:

  • Refrain from taking any medications or supplements that may thin your blood.
  • Prepare transportation for your surgery.
  • Arrange time away from your career and social responsibilities to focus on healing.
  • Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages for several days before and after your BBL.
  • Discontinue any nicotine use at least four weeks leading up to your appointment date, and maintain your abstinence until you have fully recovered. (2)
  • Fill any medications Dr. Satey prescribes for you in advance.

Procedure

Dr. Satey performs gender-affirming body contouring BBLs on an outpatient basis at his surgical center. You can expect it to last between two and four hours. You will be placed under general anesthesia to ensure your comfort.

Dr. Satey will make small incisions near the donor areas to inject a tumescent fluid containing epinephrine, lidocaine, and saline into the local fat deposits to swell them for easier removal. (2) He will insert the thin VASER cannula into the treatment area, which will emit ultrasound waves to emulsify and remove the fat. After the processing and purification process is complete, Dr. Satey will carefully layer the purified fat into your buttocks to create a more feminine figure.

Recovery

After your BBL, you will need to take some time to focus on your recovery. You will need to continue avoiding any strenuous tasks until Dr. Satey has cleared you to return, though you may resume desk work and light activities sooner. You can expect to experience some swelling, bruising, or tenderness around both the treated and donor areas during this time. These effects will gradually subside as you heal as long as you follow all of the recovery instructions given to you. Dr. Satey will provide you with a compression garment to wear as you heal, which will minimize swelling and protect your new shape.

Results

Your BBL for feminization will provide you with stunning results that can last a lifetime. However, you should try to maintain a stable weight, as fluctuations may alter the effects of your surgery. Many of our patients report feeling much more confident and beautiful with their new look. With a look that aligns more closely with how they feel inside, our patients can be empowered to live their best life!

Cost of BBL for Feminization in Los Angeles and Lancaster

In many cases, the BBL for feminization is covered by insurance; gender affirming surgeries are considered medically necessary by many insurance policies. Our team is happy to help you learn more about this process and help guide you through any necessary documentation you may need to have your surgery covered. Once you have met with Dr. Satey to establish your treatment plan, he will give you a comprehensive cost estimate. He additionally offers financing for those who qualify.

To learn more about our pricing, please contact us online or call (424) 500-3320.

FAQ

Where does the fat used for a BBL come from?

The fat used for your BBL is actually your own fat from different areas of your body. During your consultation, Dr. Satey will help you determine which donor areas would be best. Typical donor areas include the abdomen, flanks, thighs, and more. Taking fat from these areas will accentuate the results of the BBL even more!

How long will the results of my BBL last?

With a BBL, many patients experience permanent enhancements. While some of the transferred fat will be reabsorbed into your body during your recovery, the remaining fat will establish a blood supply and stay there indefinitely. We recommend exercising regularly and maintaining a stable weight, because fluctuations in weight can impact the long-term results of your BBL.

How much fat will Dr. Satey transfer during my BBL surgery?

The amount of fat that Dr. Satey transfers will vary depending on your anatomy and your desired results. Once Dr. Satey has met with you during your personal consultation, he will let you know what you can expect from your BBL.

Can a BBL ever be covered by insurance?

When part of a gender-affirming care surgery, a BBL for feminization may be covered by insurance; however, this depends on the details of your individual insurance plan. Most plans require some sort of documentation to determine if you are eligible for coverage. We would be happy to help you through this process so that you can receive your gender-affirming surgery with less financial strain.

References

  1. Ruff PG, Garcia O, Nykiel M, Galanis CJ. Consensus-based Recommendations for Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy at Resonance Ultrasound-assisted Liposuction. Plastic and reconstructive surgery Global open. 2023;11(7):e5110-e5110. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/gox.0000000000005110
  2. Bartow MJ, Raggio BS. Liposuction. Nih.gov. Published February 14, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563135/#article-112503.s4