The Brazilian Butt Lift, or BBL for short, transfers fat cells from one area of the body, such as the abdomen or thighs, to the buttocks to sculpt a fuller, rounded shape. This cosmetic surgery appeals to patients seeking a more contoured look without buttock implants.

The BBL offers the dual benefits of slimming down one (or more) body parts while sculpting a more voluptuous backside and curvy silhouette.

Patients unhappy with the size and shape of their butts, or those looking to restore lost volume due to aging or pregnancy, all make great BBL candidates. The procedure can be personalized to your specific body goals, combining strategic fat removal with transfer to contour and define your curves.

Ultimately, a skilled surgeon's goal is not just to sculpt your body but also to instill a newfound sense of self-confidence and reveal your inner beauty. 

Here at AirSculpt, we marry patented technology with our surgeons' expertise and artistry to provide an individualized approach to body contouring. Every step of the process ensures safe fat removal, precise processing, and meticulous grafting to maintain the natural aesthetics of your figure.

Read on to learn more about the Brazilian Butt Lift procedure, techniques, prices, recovery process, and more. 

An Introduction To Buttock Enhancements: What is a BBL?

The Brazilian Butt Lift is a popular cosmetic procedure designed to redistribute your own body fat to sculpt fuller, more rounded buttocks. 

This multi-step process first involves liposuction to remove and collect fat. After treating the fat to ensure it is ready for transfer, the surgeon will carefully inject it into the gluteal region. 

While many practices require general anesthesia, newer techniques allow buttock enhancements to be done under local anesthesia so patients remain fully awake. This element reduces risks while allowing their surgeon to maneuver and talk to you throughout the treatment to ensure balanced, desired results. 

BBL Types and Techniques

While all BBLs involve transferring fat to the buttocks, variations in techniques and objectives are available. Some more common names for these techniques include the Shelf BBL, Hourglass BBL, Plus-sized BBL, Lateral Slope BBL, and Mini BBL.

Many names exist for these techniques, but not every patient wants the same templatized look. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Kevin Hanz explains that a skilled surgeon will keep the different types of BBL in mind but ultimately aim to personalize each procedure to the patient's specific goals. They should consider the whole body's proportions, ensuring natural-looking outcomes rather than simply as large an enhancement as possible.  

Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) Before and After Photos

A significant benefit of this surgery is that you will enjoy permanent fat removal in one area while naturally enhancing the buttocks. Most practices harvest fat using some sort of liposuction technique, while others may employ more modern methods. 

As you can see in the before and after photos, the variety of BBL patients we have treated here at AirSculpt is highly diverse. This procedure offers a high degree of personalization, both in terms of the areas targeted for fat removal and the areas focused on for enhancement.  

BBL vs. Other Buttock Enhancement Procedures

BBL Vs. Butt Implants

Unlike implants, which involve placing synthetic shells composed of silicone or saline into the body, a BBL uses a patient's fat for a more natural-looking and feeling buttocks. This approach can yield smoother, more customized results and avoids the risks associated with synthetic implants.

Potential side effects of implants include capsular contracture, allergic reaction, implant rupture, and infection. Fat transfer-based BBLs can also cause side effects. Still, they have become less common in recent years, especially if performed by a qualified cosmetic surgeon following the proper BBL techniques.

BBL Vs. Buttock Lift

The key difference between a BBL and a buttock lift is their goals. While a BBL mainly aims to augment the backside, a traditional buttock lift is designed to address loose or excess skin. 

Fat transfers will provide some lifting effect by filling the buttocks, but their primary aim is to enlarge your backside and enhance natural curves. A butt lift may be a better fit for patients mainly looking to tighten or remove sagging skin.

BBL vs. Buttock Injections

While BBL uses fat transfer to enhance the shape and size of the buttocks, buttock injections like Sculptra rely on dermal fillers to stimulate collagen production and add volume over time. Sculptra and similar treatments do not require surgery, making them an appealing option for those seeking subtle, non-invasive enhancement. 

That said, results pale in comparison to other enhancement methods, and as with implants, there is a risk of adverse reaction to the foreign material used to enhance the buttocks.

BBL vs. Hip Flip™

Both treatments are fat transfers, but the BBL focuses on the entire buttock and hip area, while the Hip Flip™ only fills in hip dips. 

A Brazilian Butt Lift can fix hip dips if desired, but if a patient does not want larger buttocks and only seeks to treat the hips, they make for a better Hip Flip™ candidate. The Hip Flip™ requires much less fat than a BBL, so thin patients may be best suited for this option.

BBL vs. Lipo 360

A BBL inherently requires fat removal via liposuction, followed by fat transfer. Unlike the multi-step BBL, liposuction 360 is strictly a fat removal technique that sculpts 360 degrees around a patient's midsection.

Whether a patient includes lipo 360 with their BBL depends on their body goals, the amount of stubborn fat, and other considerations, such as skin laxity.

Who Is a Good Candidate for a BBL?

Because the buttocks' size and shape are primarily determined by genetics, diet and exercise can only help you so much to obtain a more shapely behind. This struggle explains why women and men increasingly opt for the Brazilian Buttock Lift procedure. 

Ideal candidates have buttocks they want to enhance, whether for aesthetic reasons or lost volume over time. In addition to augmenting saggy or flat backside buttocks, the BBL can address lateral indentations called hip dips. 

BBL Requirements

You should have a relatively good skin tone throughout the hips and buttocks and have enough fat to complete the transfer. While there is technically no weight requirement for a BBL, this procedure does require a decent amount of harvestable fat. The surgeon will purposely overfill the buttocks to account for fat reabsorption, which explains the need for extra fat. 

We do not recommend gaining weight before a BBL if you are relatively thin. Skilled surgeons can often harvest fat from several body areas, ensuring enough material is collected to complete the procedure successfully. 

During your consultation, a surgeon will review the best areas to target for fat removal. Although most patients choose large areas like the stomach, back, or thighs, smaller body parts like the arms, pubic area, or tailbone can also have fat removed.  

Overall, ideal candidates for a Brazilian Butt Lift:

• Are at a mature age.

• Are in good physical health.

• Have grounded expectations for their results.

• Have enough excess fat to transfer to the butt.

• Possess good skin elasticity that will adjust to their new shape.

• Are not smoking.

Goals of Brazilian Butt Lift Surgery 

Because genetics mainly dictate the size and shape of your glutes, little can be done to influence their size on your own. Bone structure and your body's tendency to store fat in specific areas are the key determining factors in your lower body's figure. 

Therefore, a BBL aims to change some of the features you were born with, such as hip dips, a flat bottom, or a lack of buttock curves. Here are a few reasons you may consider a fat transfer buttock augmentation: 

• Remove stubborn fat and accentuate the curves of your lower body 

• Address indentations on the hips, colloquially called hip dips 

• Help you appear more shapely and feel more youthful 

• Improve your overall proportions by narrowing your waist and enlarging your buttocks to deliver an hourglass shape 

• Help clothing fit better

BBL Procedure Steps 

As you can see in the 360 fat removal and BBL procedure footage above, our patient Meredith was alert and at ease, able to communicate with her surgeon at all times. Everything is performed with local anesthesia, which numbs the areas where fat is removed along with the buttocks. Traditional Brazilain Butt Lift techniques, by contrast, often use general anesthesia, which can introduce additional risks or side effects. 

All Brazilian Butt Lifts follow a similar series of numbing, fat removal, and fat transfer steps. Still, these may vary slightly depending on your specific goals with surgery. Here are the steps a Power BBL™ follows: 

1. The area selected for fat removal (usually the stomach, thighs, or back) will be numbed with a needless jet injector. 

2. Small entry points are made with a biopsy punch tool, replacing the need for scalpel cuts. Surgeons will make these incisions in natural creases so scars remain less visible after a BBL.

3. A local anesthetic is applied to numb the area internally and facilitate fat removal. 

4. Fat is removed using liposuction or, in the case of AirSculpt, patented technology that reduces the shearing fat cells undergo during removal. This approach enhances the amount of fat that ultimately remains in the buttocks long-term.

5. The extracted fat is collected in a special canister and processed to prepare it for transfer. 

6. Steps 1 through 3 are repeated on the buttock, with entry points made on the side of each leg just under the hip, near where the cheek meets the thigh. Another entry point is needed underneath each buttock around the banana roll, and then a final one just above the crease of the buttocks.  

7. Fat is strategically injected into the buttocks to enhance volume, accentuate curves, and deliver the desired contour. 

8. The buttocks and harvest sites are left to heal independently, with no stitches required after an AirSculpt BBL. 

Recovering From a Brazilian Butt Lift 

Once the BBL procedure has finished, your surgeon will apply absorbent bandaging to the entry sites to prevent excessive leakage. Some practices require stitches, while others do not. All Brazilian Butt Lift procedures require compression garments, usually worn for two to three weeks after treatment. 

Following your surgeon's instructions as closely as possible after a BBL is key to ensuring the best results. Here are a few essential items and notes to remember during your recovery from a Brazilian Butt Lift. 

• Going Home After a BBL: Even with wide-awake BBLs, you should plan to have someone drive you home, as you may be groggy or still feeling the effects of the numbing medication. Prescription pain medication may be provided in rare cases if discomfort gets too extreme, but most patients only need over-the-counter medication.

• Swelling and Bruising: The first few weeks of your recovery will feature significant swelling and bruising in the area(s) where fat was removed and on the buttocks. Pain and discoloration should gradually subside, and you can speed up this process by eating a healthy diet, remaining well-hydrated, and taking daily walks to improve blood circulation, healing, and results.

• Garments: BBL patients are typically asked to wear the compression garment for three weeks after treatment to help facilitate healing. The garment should be worn on both the harvest sites and on the buttocks. 

• BBL Pillow: It is essential to avoid sitting on your buttocks for the first few weeks after treatment. During this period, the newly transferred fat will still settle in and establish a new blood supply. Your body will naturally reabsorb some of this fat, but avoiding putting pressure on your buttocks by sitting on a BBL pillow will maximize how much fat survives the fat transfer.

• Sleeping: You should avoid sleeping on your back for several weeks to prevent putting pressure on the buttocks. 

• Heavy Exercise: Avoid strenuous activities like heavy lifting for at least two weeks after a Brazilian Butt Lift. You should be OK to return to the gym after two to three weeks, but make sure to gain your surgeon's approval. 

BBL Safety

The Brazilian Butt Lift has garnered significant attention for its ability to provide more prominent, rounded buttocks. However, safety concerns have often accompanied its popularity, particularly surrounding risks like fat embolism. Advancements in techniques and safety protocols have made the BBL safer in recent years.

Proper fat placement is one of the most critical factors in reducing BBL risks. Historically, severe complications like fat embolism occurred when fat was mistakenly injected into or beneath the gluteal muscles. This layer contains large blood vessels, and fat entering these vessels could lead to life-threatening complications.

At AirSculpt, our experienced surgeons pass additional training in fat grafting techniques. This includes specific education in proper fat placement only into the subcutaneous layer, never into the muscle. Doing so makes the procedure much safer by minimizing the risk of fat entering the bloodstream.

Additionally, our surgeons use newer tools, like blunt-tipped cannulas, to avoid penetrating muscle layers and are constantly updated on the latest safety techniques and standards. Organizations like the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) have also provided safety advisories and best practice recommendations for enhancing patient safety. These guidelines, surgical advancements and meticulous attention to technique have made the BBL a safer and more reliable option for those seeking to enhance their physique while prioritizing their health.

How Much Does a BBL Cost?

BBL costs vary but typically include surgeon and facility fees. The price often ranges widely depending on other elements, like the length of the procedure, geographical location, and recovery garments. That said, a rough range for the procedure is from $7,500 to $20,000.

Success Story: Jen's Post-Pregnancy BBL 

Our featured patient Jen explains how getting a Brazilian Butt Lift helped her tackle stubborn fat and lost buttock volume after giving birth. She highlights how remaining awake during the treatment helped calm her nerves about general anesthesia.

Is BBL Surgery Permanent?

Fat grafting results are considered semi-permanent to permanent. After the initial reabsorption occurring naturally in the early post-op stages, results will last many years with proper care and a healthy lifestyle.

That said, all bodies lose volume in certain areas with age. The fat transferred to the buttocks is no exception. Thus, BBL results will last 10 years or longer, with the caveat that fat transfers cannot reverse the natural aging process.

To promote long-term results, follow a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise and balanced nutrition. Avoid significant weight fluctuations after a BBL, as these can affect fat distribution.