The Brazilian butt lift has been the subject of serious safety warnings, and anyone considering it should understand why. The main risk comes from fat entering large veins in the buttock. This New City Clinic guide explains the rules surgeons now follow to reduce that risk and the questions to ask before you book.
Where does the risk come from?
The most serious complication of BBL is fat embolism, in which fat enters the bloodstream and travels to the lungs. Research linked these events to fat being injected into or beneath the gluteal muscle, where large veins lie. International plastic surgery societies therefore advise that fat be placed only in the layer beneath the skin, above the muscle. This single rule has changed how the operation is performed.
What do careful surgeons do today?
Fat is injected only into the subcutaneous layer, with the cannula kept parallel to the muscle; many surgeons use ultrasound to see its position in real time. The volume transferred is limited, operating time is kept reasonable and very large combined operations are avoided. The procedure is carried out in a licensed hospital with an anaesthetist present, and measures against blood clots are taken.
Questions to ask before a BBL
Ask who the surgeon is and whether they are a plastic surgery specialist, where the fat will be placed, whether ultrasound guidance is used, which hospital the operation takes place in and how long you will stay. Be wary of promises of extreme volume. People with little body fat, significant health conditions or a high BMI may not be suitable, and a responsible physician will say so.
A BBL: cost in Turkey and what is included
The price depends on the technique, the extent of the procedure, the hospital, the length of stay and any procedures planned together, which is why a single figure quoted without an examination or photo assessment is misleading. After a physician has reviewed your case, New City Clinic sends you an itemised written quote. It lists hospital, surgeon and anaesthesia fees, pre-operative tests, medication, any compression garment or support bra, accommodation, airport–hotel–hospital transfers and interpreting separately; flights are not included unless stated. When comparing clinics in Istanbul, look beyond the price: check that the hospital is licensed by the Ministry of Health, what the surgeon specialises in, and how follow-up is handled once you are back home.
A BBL with New City Clinic
New City Clinic is an authorised health tourism intermediary registered with the Turkish Ministry of Health and HealthTürkiye. When you contact New City Clinic about a BBL, a physician first reviews your photos and medical information, and you then receive a written treatment plan with an itemised quote. Once you arrive in Istanbul, the New City Clinic team organises your airport welcome, accommodation, hospital appointments and interpreting. Your procedure is performed by a specialist physician at a Ministry of Health approved partner hospital, and follow-up continues after you return home.
Recovery timeline
First night
A night in hospital under observation; a compression garment is fitted.
First 2–3 weeks
No direct sitting on the buttocks or lying on your back; a BBL cushion is used.
Weeks 4–6
The garment continues; light exercise starts with your physician’s approval.
Months 3–6
Swelling settles and the fat that has survived becomes the lasting volume.
Accommodation and transfers
On request, New City Clinic organises your airport–hotel–hospital transfers and your stay at partner hotels close to the hospital. The same can be arranged for a companion; details are set out in writing in your quote.
Aftercare
Medication and check-ups
Take the medication your physician prescribes as directed and attend your planned check-ups.
Smoking and alcohol
Both slow healing; avoid them before and after the procedure for the period your physician advises.
Movement and rest
Short walks support circulation; wait for your physician’s approval before strenuous exercise or heavy lifting.
When to get in touch
Contact your New City Clinic coordinator straight away in case of high fever, increasing pain, redness or anything unexpected.
Frequently asked questions
Is a BBL safe in Turkey?
Safety depends on the technique, the surgeon and the hospital rather than the country. Fat placed above the muscle, limited volumes and a licensed hospital are the essentials to confirm.
Who should not have a BBL?
People without enough fat to transfer, with clotting disorders, serious heart or lung conditions, or who smoke heavily and cannot stop may be advised against it.
How long before I can fly?
New City Clinic patients usually stay 7–8 days and fly after their check-up, walking regularly during the flight.
Deciding on a BBL is a confident step when it is taken with the right information and the right team. You can book a free consultation with the New City Clinic team for your questions.
This article is for general information; consult your physician for diagnosis and treatment.
