Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL)

For individuals not genetically prone to the curvier lower body they desire, a Brazilian butt lift (BBL) procedure can enhance the size and shape of the buttocks. Also referred to as a buttock augmentation with fat grafting, a BBL extracts a portion of excess fat via liposuction from another body area and then injects the purified fat into strategic areas of the buttocks to create a fuller and more shapely appearance.

The demand for BBL treatments continues to increase, most recently by 37% from 2020 to 2021 according to The Aesthetic Society®.* While adults of all ages have shown interest in the procedure, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons found in 2020 that patients 40 to 54 years of age made up the highest number of completed BBL procedures.**

One of our experienced plastic surgeons in Northwest Arkansas, Dr. Robert Taylor or Dr. Kasia Kania, can meet with you to determine whether a customized Brazilian butt lift treatment offers an ideal solution for your body enhancement goals. Here at Taylor Plastic Surgery & Skin Center, we offer two advanced versions of a Brazilian butt lift (also known as “Safe Subcutaneous Butt Augmentation”): the Petite BBL and the traditional BBL. The Petite BBL technique can be a good option for patients with smaller body frames who may not have previously been eligible for a BBL procedure due to a smaller percentage of body fat. This “mini” version of the Brazilian butt lift treatment makes it more possible for individuals who are quite thin to qualify as candidates. Whether the traditional BBL or the Petite BBL is the recommended option, our plastic surgeons design treatment plans with the ultimate goal of providing results that look both beautiful and natural.

What Are the Benefits of a Brazilian Butt Lift?

The Brazilian butt lift procedure can provide both women and men with numerous potential benefits, including:

  • Enhanced volume and shape in the buttocks area
  • Improved contours and symmetry of the lower body region
  • Reduced signs of skin elasticity and sagginess on the backside
  • Decreased visibility of cellulite and skin dimpling
  • Elevated self-confidence

Another benefit of a BBL procedure is the combined advantage of removing excess fat from donor regions of the body through liposuction, creating further body contouring enhancement. The fat cells can be removed from regions such as the hips, abdomen, lower back, thighs, or virtually any other area. Our plastic surgeon will evaluate the donor site options along with your overall aesthetic goals to determine the most effective solution for this advanced fat transfer procedure.

What Does the Brazilian Butt Lift Procedure Involve?

Once noted as the fastest-growing cosmetic procedure in the world, the Brazilian butt lift utilizes several advanced surgical techniques to complete the curvier look that patient’s desire.*** Generally, a Brazilian butt lift is performed as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia. The entire procedure may last approximately two to four hours, depending on the patient’s physique and ultimate goals for treatment.

To begin, our surgeon will extract the excess fat from the agreed-upon donor site – most commonly the abdomen, flanks, thighs, back, or a combination of these areas. Once a sufficient amount of fat is collected, it will be meticulously filtered, cleansed, processed, and then strategically injected above the gluteal muscle (carefully avoiding blood vessels located within the muscle) until the preferred volume and shape is achieved. As with virtually all fat transfer procedures, about 30 to 40 percent of the fat cells will be reabsorbed by the body while the remaining fat completes the task of enhancing the buttock’s appearance. Typically, patients will see the final results between three and six months after surgery.

How Long Is Recovery from a Brazilian Butt Lift?

The different stages of recovery from a Brazilian butt lift can vary for each patient, so it is important to strictly adhere to all post-procedure instructions and attend all follow-up appointments. In general, patients can expect to:

  • Experience initial swelling, bruising, and soreness in the buttocks and liposuction sites
  • Avoid sitting for long periods of time or applying pressure on the buttocks during recovery
  • Wear surgical compression garments while the treatment areas heal
  • Use modified chairs or special cushions, such as foam padding and egg crate padding, during recovery
  • Resume normal daily activities about one week after surgery
  • Refrain from strenuous activities and rigorous exercise for four to six weeks

Following these guidelines, along with the detailed post-operative instructions that will be provided by our plastic surgery team, can help make the recovery process as smooth and efficient as possible.

What Is a Petite Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL)?

A Petite BBL is a brazilian butt lift procedure that is tailored to patients who have a particularly small or thin body frame. Individuals who are more “petite” than others may have a lower percentage of body fat, which may have deemed them less qualified for BBL candidacy in the past. For instance: a patient who was quite thin simply may not have had enough excess fat in the abdomen or other area to extract for relocation to the buttocks. However, with the advanced techniques available today, more petite patients may now be eligible for this procedure. The fat cells necessary for a brazilian butt lift can be taken from multiple areas in order to collect an amount sufficient enough for successful transfer to the buttocks. Additionally, smaller volumes of fat are typically necessary in these procedures—more subtle enhancement can lead to noticeable results that look quite natural while helping patients achieve beautiful new curves.

This Instagram post offers an example of a Petite BBL performed on one of our patients. The individual had excess fat taken from her abdomen and flanks, which was then grafted to the buttocks for enhanced contour and projection. If you are interested in the possibilities of a Petite BBL, we encourage you to schedule a consultation here at our practice to determine whether this treatment is right for your needs and goals.

To learn more about a Brazilian butt lift, or to schedule a consultation, please contact us today.

Medical Resources:

*Aesthetic Plastic Surgery National Databank Statistics for 2020-2021
**2020 Plastic Surgery Statistics Report
***Supply and demand: How surgeons are navigating the BBL boom