Florida Passes Plastic Surgery Law Mandating Use of Ultrasound Guidance to Help Ensure Safety of Gluteal Fat Grafts
| ABCS
Gluteal fat grafting, also known as a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL), is a popular body contouring procedure, and when performed by underqualified or inexperienced aesthetic surgeons, carries a higher risk of complications compared to other surgical procedures. Inadvertent injection of harvested fat into the gluteal muscle can lead to a potentially life-threatening complication called pulmonary fat embolism (PFE)—when fat deposits enter the bloodstream and migrate to the heart, lungs, or brain.
In a decisive move towards enhanced patient safety, Florida’s state government has passed a plastic surgery bill, HB 1471, which mandates the use of ultrasound guidance during gluteal fat grafting procedures as of July 1, 2023.
Here’s what you need to know about this law.
Key provisions of HB 1471
HB 1471 sets parameters for best practices for Florida surgeons to reduce the risk of complications associated with gluteal fat grafting procedures. Key takeaways from the law include:
- Physicians must perform an in-person examination of the patient no later than 1 day before their surgery date.
- Fat extraction and fat injections must be performed by the physician and may not be delegated.
- Fat must be injected into the subcutaneous space and not cross the gluteal muscle’s overlying fascia.
- Ultrasound guidance (or equivalent, medical board-authorized technology) is required to help ensure fat is injected in the subcutaneous plane to prevent intramuscular injection.
How to choose a surgeon if you are considering a BBL
Your safety and satisfaction with any cosmetic procedure relies on your choice of provider. Thus, it is crucial to choose a qualified, board-certified cosmetic surgeon who is highly experienced performing successful gluteal fat transfer procedures and is aware of current safety recommendations made by the Aesthetic Surgery Education and Research Foundation (ASERF). An ethical cosmetic surgeon will discuss the potential risks and complications associated with the procedure and tailor your surgery plan to mitigate these risks and personalize your results so you can make an informed decision.
The ideal provider personalizes BBL results based on the patient’s unique anatomy and tailors fat harvesting with liposuction to further benefit the patient’s overall aesthetic outcome.
Florida patients considering a gluteal fat grafting procedure should also ensure their chosen surgeon is compliant with the new HB 1471 regulations.
About ABCS surgeons
Physicians can become board-certified in a number of specialties; it is essential to verify your surgeon is certified by a cosmetic surgery board. Surgeons certified by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (ABCS) are committed to the highest patient safety standards and follow a strict Code of Ethics. ABCS surgeons:
- Have completed an American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS) cosmetic surgery fellowship, of a year or more and including over 300 surgical procedures, or have proven equivalent experience
- Must pass rigorous written and oral cosmetic surgery exams covering a comprehensive range of related topics to assess their competency
- Actively participate in continuing education to stay abreast of the latest research, aesthetic technologies, and safety standards to hone their skills
- Exclusively operate in fully accredited surgical facilities to prioritize your safety
- Must be reexamined every 10 years to retain board certification
ABCS surgeons consider all aspects of a procedure, from incision placement to artfully crafting a look that harmonizes your appearance for optimal, personalized results.
Find an ABCS-certified surgeon near you today »