BBL Recovery Resources

Americans kidnapped in Mexico went for a BBL?

by Alfons Mala on Mar 13 2023

There's a bigger question about the brazilian butt lift procedure When two Americans ended up dead, and two others kidnapped, amid a shootout just south of the U.S.-Mexico border, the initial questions were myriad: What happened? Who killed them? And what was the group of four people from South Carolina doing in a minivan in Matamoros? On the last point, an explanation from relatives quickly emerged. One woman in the group, Latavia McGee, was going to Mexico for cosmetic surgery, and the other friends had joined her for a road trip. That surgery was first described as a tummy tuck. Later, relatives and friends said the procedure was a "gluteal augmentation." And even though more than a million Americans annually seek medical care on the other side of the border, getting a "gluteal augmentation" – in a place where the State Department warns Americans not to travel at all – certainly struck a lot of people as strange. If you know, though, you know. First, let us call this whole popular-empowering-controversial-notorious procedure what people call it in real life: the Brazilian butt lift, or BBL. Next, let me tell you the same thing I told some of my colleagues this week. Whether or not you like this, whether or not you understand this, people do this, and especially, a lot of Black people do it. If you are a woman, and especially if you're Black, and if you are on, say, Instagram, I'm going to go out on a limb not very far at all and guess that you've had this targeted at you in your social media feed. Especially if you follow beauty and pop culture influencers. You don't have to scroll too long to see it; it simply becomes a part of your algorithm. The BBL is a thing. It's also very expensive. And that's the next thing you learn if you are having this idea pushed at you in your social feeds week after week: It's a whole lot less expensive in Mexico. So the idea that someone – it could be anyone, but for sake of discussion, let's say it's a Black woman and her Black friends from Lake City, South Carolina – would drive across six states to the tip of Texas to have this surgery? If true, it is not shocking. At all. But that doesn't address the underlying question bandied about on social media: Is it worth it? What is brazilian butt lift surgery? A BBL involves harvesting fat from other areas of the body and injecting it into the buttocks and hips. (Often, that fat is removed from the belly in the process through liposuction. So those early reports that the group went to Matamoros for a tummy tuck may also be essentially correct.) Results often mean a tiny, or snatched waist, and a curvier, fuller behind. It's the extreme hourglass aesthetic. Slim-thick. Usually, it requires general anesthesia. Initial recovery can take weeks. I've watched for years on social media as these clinics target Black women in ads that show before and after pictures, while touting prices that are usually half of what the cost would be in America – around $10,000-$15,000 and not covered by insurance. It's called medical tourism. Popular destinations for a discounted procedure include Turkey, South America and Mexico. So-called recovery houses also offer patients post-op care and a place to heal. The New York Times reported this week about the Matamoros clinic that had been expecting McGee. The clinic "reaches out to potential American clients with targeted ads on Instagram," according to an employee who spoke to a reporter, and posts before-and-after pictures of clients online. She said about half the clinic's patients are American. So whether or not we fully understand the story of how Latavia McGee and three friends came to be in a white minivan in Matamoros in a hail of gunfire, we can accept that the idea of such a trip makes sense in a world where people travel the world – in sometimes questionable locales – for affordable cosmetic surgery. It turned out there was a fifth person on the trip, Cheryl Orange, who later told police she had forgotten her travel documents and couldn't cross the border that day. She had stayed behind in Brownsville, Texas, when the rest of the group left on Friday morning to cross into Matamoros. The group had planned to return in time to check out of the motel Saturday, according to the police report, though I wonder how McGee could have made such a quick turnaround after an invasive procedure. Instead, one came back wounded and two are dead. “She simply went for a cosmetic surgery, and that’s it," Orange told the Associated Press. "That’s all, and this happened to them.” Whatever truly happened to McGee and her friends that day, let us agree that any broader discussion about the risks or problems with BBLs is not so much about possible cartel violence. But let's also be clear: There is a discussion. So how should we feel about this surgery? Even if you think you don't know anything about Brazilian Butt Lift BBLs, you have seen BBLs. I know, I'm out on a limb there, but not very far. The look has become increasingly popular among celebrities. Think the Kardashians (though they have denied undergoing the procedure), or Nicki Minaj. So yes, Black women do it, white women do it, Kardashian women (maybe) do it. Whoever they are, more women are doing it. According to a 2021 survey by the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the number of buttock augmentations performed globally increased by 41% from 2017 to 2021, and buttock lifts increased by 46%. A quick search for "BBL" on TikTok will tell you a lot about what's going on. Some women will chronicle their journeys to bigger, perkier butts, explaining the process, recovery time, cost and what doctors they would recommend. It's a mainstream conversation if you know where to look. Rapper Cardi B. is another one of those women you've seen with a BBL. But she has since warned women of the dangers and had most of her augmentation – she also had silicone injected in her buttocks – removed. What's "dangerous" may be up to each person to decide. A 2017 report, published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal, noted that BBLs have the highest mortality rate compared to any other cosmetic surgery. These kinds of surgeries also raise all kinds of risks, including at clinics in Florida investigated by our newsroom several years ago. So the procedure is widely discussed and widely debated on Instagram. Some women defend their decision or desire to make a change. ("Treat yourself, sis! Get a snatched waist and a fat booty.") Others condemn the trend as dangerous and a slap to body positivity. ("Fake curves aren't worth the time, money or endangering your life. Love the body God blessed you with.") This discussion goes on particularly in Black corners of the platform. But let me be clear one more time: women of all races and ethnicities are seeking this surgery. So some of this discourse is about non-Black women culturally appropriating the often-natural body shape of Black women with curves and larger derrières. Bootylicious. These are Black women, like Beyoncé, who were once shunned when "thin" was in. Now, people will pay money to take on the same physique that was once part of Black women's identity. (By the way, the "Brazilian" part isn't about Brazilian culture, just the doctor who first did the procedure.) Then there's the long-term question. Any trend comes an end. Many on social media have already declared that the BBL craze is dead after speculating that the Kardashians have, ahem, downsized. That means women may have put themselves at risk to take on a shape they only thought they wanted. I don't profess to know what McGee wanted. And we still don't know everything about how she came to be on that street in Mexico. More than anything, I'm saddened that McGee was in harm's way if it was for a BBL. I'm saddened to think that she now knows two of her friends are dead. Authorities say they're still investigating in Matamoros. Yes, perhaps the group would never have been there if not for a BBL. No, it also may not be fair to blame anything on that. But put aside what happened in Mexico. Whoever you are, if you are white or Black – but maybe especially if you are a Black woman, scrolling through your social media feed and seeing BBL posts yet again – there are plenty of other reasons to ask. Is it worth it? Suzette Hackney is a national columnist. Reach her on Twitter: @suzyscribe. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/03/11/mexico-kidnapping-lets-be-clear-black-women-questions-bbl/11436350002/ #repost

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THE DO'S AND DONT OF MEDICAL TOURISM

by Alfons Mala on Mar 12 2023

Medical tourism is the concept of traveling domestically or internationally for a medical procedure. Cost is often a major consideration, as medical care in some countries can be significantly cheaper than in others, particularly in the United States. However, there are risks involved with medical tourism, including the potential for complications and the need for appropriate preoperative and postoperative care. It is important to research the surgeon and facility beforehand, and to ensure that there are appropriate arrangements for care both during and after the procedure. It is also important to note that while there are standards in place to ensure safe and quality care in the United States, this may not be the case in other countries. Therefore, patients must take extra precautions to ensure that they are receiving safe and quality care.

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BBL FAJAS COLOMBIANAS 101:COMPRESSION GARMENT GUIDE

by bridget despen on Mar 12 2023

THE ULTIMATE COMPRESSION GARMENT GUIDE: Compression garments, such as fajas colombianas, are designed to provide gentle and consistent pressure to the treated areas of the body. This pressure helps to reduce swelling, bruising, and discomfort, and can also help to prevent fluid build-up and fibrosis formation. Addition

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CAN I GET A BBL USING CARE CREDIT?

by Alfons Mala on Mar 09 2023

CAN I GET A BBL USING CARE CREDIT? On average, the cost of Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) surgery is approximately $4,800, Since BBLs are considered elective cosmetic procedures and not medically necessary, health insurance usually does not cover them. If you're considering getting a BBL and need help financing the procedure, the CareCredit credit card may

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HOW LONG UNTIL I CAN DRIVE AFTER A BBL?

by bridget despen on Mar 09 2023

For various patients, there are several recovery procedures. Patients may often drive as soon as 2 weeks after liposuction and as late as 6-8 weeks; this means that the speed of your recovery depends on how much fat was removed, what regions were liposuctioned, and how much of it was transferred to your buttocks

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9 FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE YOUR RECOVERY

by bridget despen on Mar 09 2023

To achieve optimal results from a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) surgery, it is crucial for patients to take certain actions after the procedure. The survival rate of the transferred fat cells in the buttocks is directly affected by the patient's behavior. There are nine important factors that patients should consider

Brazilian Butt lift pillow 4 diverse woman of color modeling)

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BOMBSHELL BOOTY PILLOW EMPOWERS WOMEN

by bridget despen on Mar 09 2023

Bombshell Empowers Women of Every Size with More Freedom in Shape, and Comfort: Bombshell Booty Pillow has a shapewear brand that celebrates body positivity and diversity. The brand has recently released a game-changing shapewear collection that combines comfortable confidence with multifunctional style. Bombshell Booty pillow

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PLASTIC SURGERY & MEDICAL TOURISM: TOP 3 RED FLAGS

by Alfons Mala on Mar 09 2023

TOP 3 RED FLAGS TO LOOK FOR: 1) Your plastic surgeon fails to discuss the postoperative instructions with you before the surgery. Miami faces a significant issue. In such places, patients frequently meet the surgeon on the day of the procedure or not at all, and are often released from the clinic without any postoperative guidelines, follow-up care, or further consultation with the surgeon. This lack of appropriate care can lead to severe consequences for patients. 2) They are not equivalent of board certified. Using a doctor without proper credentials may be less expenisve, but the cost of treating complications that may occur because of their lack of training will come at a high cost. Furthermore, putting oneself at risk of facing such complications is not justifiable. 3) No Contract. Verbal agreements are insufficient; written contracts are necessary. If your doctor fails to provide you with a written contract prior to the surgery, they may not be obligated to fulfill their verbal promises.

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PLASTIC SURGERY AND MEDICAL TOURISM

by Alfons Mala on Mar 08 2023

PLASTIC SURGERY AND MEDICAL TOURISM Traveling to other countries to receive inexpensive treatment is dangerous. Not only can a situation like this can occur, but you have no idea of the quality of care you are receiving.

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WHO WE ARE #WOMANSHISTORYMONTH

by Alfons Mala on Mar 08 2023

My Bombshell Booty Pillow is a small woman-owned buisness dedicated to assisting bbl patients in providing a smooth recovery. My Bombshell Booty Pillow was created as a result of seeing women in severe discomfort after getting their Brazilian butt lifts. We were shocked that many bbl-recievers had never heard of a solution to their problems. They were struggling to use the bathroom and worrying about doing simple tasks when focusing on their health should be the priority. So in order to help, we searched for premium materials like E.V.A foam and polyurethane and began to designed BBL recovery pillows. We have evolved to selling Bombshell Booty Pillow cushions, Bombshell Booty Pillow toilet risers, Bombshell back rests, and much more so there are a multidude of products one can purchase to ease their pain and distress of inconvenience. In addition beliving you shouldn't have to bargain your comfort for bbl surgery, we believe your fashion shoudn't be comprimised as well. So we offer most of our Bombshell Booty products in multiple colors. You can choose from neon green, blue, pink, black, and purple!

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5 REASONS WHY LIPOSUCTION IS WORTH IT

by Alfons Mala on Mar 07 2023

Liposuction is a popular cosmetic procedure that is designed to remove excess fat from specific areas of the body, such as the abdomen, hips, thighs, buttocks, and arms. Here are some of the benefits of liposuction:

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WHICH IS BETTER: A BRAZILIAN BUTT LIFT OR BUTT IMPLANTS?

by Alfons Mala on Mar 07 2023

The decision between a Brazilian butt lift and butt implants will depend on several factors, including the patient's individual goals, medical history, and anatomy. Ultimately, the choice between the two procedures should be made after consulting with a qualified plastic surgeon. A Brazilian butt lift is a popular

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WHAT IS ARNICA AND HOW CAN IT HELP ME POST-SURGERY?

by Alfons Mala on Mar 06 2023

Arnica is a type plant which is native to Europe and North America. It has been traditionally used for its potential medicinal properties, particularly for its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects, as well as its ability to improve circulation. Arnica extracts are commonly used in various topical preparations, such as creams, ointments, and gels, for the treatment of bruises, sprains, strains, and other minor injuries. It is recommended that you speak to your doctor before you decide to drink or use arnica.

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ARE YOU A GOOD CANIDATE FOR A BBL?

by Alfons Mala on Mar 04 2023

A good candidate for a Brazilian butt lift (BBL) is typically someone who: Has realistic expectations: It is important to have realistic expectations about what the procedure can achieve. BBL can enhance the shape and size of the buttocks, but it cannot drastically change their shape or correct severe sagging.