Although often used interchangeably, there are differences between a Brazilian Butt Lift, Butt Augmentation (using butt implants), and a traditional Buttock Lift. Let’s understand the differences.

Brazilian Butt Lift

As stated earlier, a Brazilian Butt Lift or BBL is a type of buttock augmentation surgery, which is done via autologous fat transfer (transfer of own body fat).  It serves a dual purpose – it removes excess fat via liposuction from an alternate body area, and inserts that into your buttocks, thereby increasing your buttock size. It is a less invasive surgery than the traditional buttock augmentation or butt implant surgery and is ideal for those who do not have much sagging gluteal skin/ tissue and have sufficient fat reserves in other body parts for the fat transfer.

Buttock Augmentation with Implants or Butt Implants

Small or flat (hypoplastic) buttocks can be made fuller, and given a desired shape with a buttock augmentation procedure that involves placing soft, shaped, silicone implants in the buttocks. This type of butt enhancement surgery is appropriate for people who do not have sufficient fat reserves in other areas, or want to significantly change their buttock shape. Butt augmentation using implants does not correct sagging buttocks, and if you need to treat sagging buttocks too, you will need to complement the procedure with a buttock lift surgery.

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Traditional Buttock Lift

A Buttock Lift surgery is done to remove excess/ loose skin and fat around the buttocks and improve the shape and firmness of the buttocks. The traditional buttock lift does not result in major changes to the size and shape of the buttocks but addresses the tightening of your posterior area.  

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Buttock Contouring

It is possible you may need buttock contouring or gluteal reshaping (correction of abnormal fat distribution in buttock area). Buttock contouring or gluteal reshaping is an entirely new concept in altering the shape of the buttocks. It is a scientific fact that abnormal distribution of fat around the buttock region is a major cause of dissatisfaction in women. The excess fat in the love handles, or the saddle bag region can cause of the buttock area to look unaesthetic. Removal of fat from this region is sometimes good enough to improve the shape of the buttocks. Adding the removed fat to buttock projection enhances the shape of the buttocks even further.

Composite buttock augmentation

Composite buttock augmentation is also a new concept where a combination of implants and gluteal reshaping is performed to improve the shape of the buttocks. This is for patients who are expecting dramatic improvement in the buttock size and shape. Just adding a silicone implant to buttock may only increase the projection, but to alter the shape to a more favored shape requires fat removal from certain areas and its addition to specific areas in the buttock region.

After your initial assessment, I will suggest which procedure is best suited for you based on various anatomical factors, and your desires. I will assess the gluteal muscles, fat distribution, bone structure, overall framework of your buttock, and your overall body contours in making the decision.

Brazilian Butt Lift is the surgery of choice for people (men and women) who wish to enhance the size of their backsides, and have excess retrievable body fat in other areas to enable the fat transfer. It results in larger buttocks, which are considered more desirable and sensuous.

BBL is a popular procedure, and safe when done with a trained expert, and highly qualified plastic surgeon. In the hands of a lesser skilled surgeon, the surgery could result in serious complications.

You can view my credentials and before/after pictures and be sure that you’re in the safest professional hands.

While it is true that women undergo most BBL surgeries worldwide, it is an accepted surgery among men too. BBL for men is getting increasingly popular as men too desire an enhanced backside for a more contoured look.

If you are an adult – male or female, in generally good health, ideally a non-smoker, with realistic goals of what can be achieved through Buttock augmentation, you can potentially be a good candidate the surgery.

You can consider a Brazilian Butt Lift if:

• You have small, flat, or underdeveloped buttocks and desire to enhance their size
• You have sufficient fatty tissue in other areas of your body, which is easily accessible, such as love handles (if, in the other body areas, you do not have 3-4 times the fat that needs to be transferred to your buttocks, you would either need to gain weight first, or consider the traditional buttock augmentation with implants)
• You do not have hanging/ loose/ flabby skin or wrinkles around your buttocks (if you do have such loose skin, you might require a traditional Buttock Lift first)
• You have asymmetrical buttocks
• You want to balance your upper body proportions with your gluteal proportions
• If you’ve had major weight fluctuations, which have resulted in an unappealing shape or asymmetry of your buttocks, and your gluteal area makes you self-conscious

During our initial consultation, I will evaluate the seriousness of your condition and the need for you to undertake this procedure.

Depending on your body type, about 40-60% of the fat injected during the Brazilian Butt Lift surgery will be reabsorbed by your body. The fat that remains will stay in the buttocks forever.

What is most important in getting long-lasting results from Brazilian Butt Lift is that the fat grafts are correctly harvested, processed, and reinjected. And it is for this reason that the experience of your plastic surgeon for BBL is what will determine the longevity and the aesthetics of your results.

(You can read more about how I ensure correct harvesting, processing, and transfer of fat for the best and lasting results in a following section titled “How is the best fat absorption rate achieved for lasting results?”)

It is important to note though, that significant weight changes, and natural changes due to aging and gravity will still have an impact on your buttock size and shape.

Brazilian Butt Lift surgery is usually done as an outpatient procedure, and the patient goes back home the same day accompanied by a friend or relative.

However, since it is an extensive surgery, the recovery process is a bit longer. It will be 2-3 weeks before you can resume regular activities and could be 12-16 weeks before strenuous exercise or heavy lifting is permitted.  

Strictly following the recommended post-recovery plan will help you recover faster.

Importantly, the skill the surgeon who performs your buttock surgery also affects your recovery period. When we meet, I will share actual cases of my patients and what enabled their quick recovery.

Every surgery carries some risks, but at this stage of my experience and expertise, I have been successful in eliminating the following risks:

• Life threatening risks such as pulmonary fat embolism (PFE), Thromboembolism, etc.
• Infections of any kind
• Excessive Bleeding
• Seromas

Some of the risks that I have been able to reduce significantly are:

• Anesthesia risks
• Scars of the port
• Skin unevenness
• Lumpiness
• Skin laxity
• Contour deformities
• Over correction
• Under correction
• Need for revision surgery due to fat absorption

There are some risks that are unpredictable and out of my control:

• Improper skin retraction
• Loss of shape and size due to significant weight changes

The cost of a buttock surgery varies based on the following factors:

• Number of liposuction donor sites, i.e. how many areas the fat needs to be harvested from, for the reinjection into the buttocks
• Nature of liposuction donor sites, i.e. whether the fat is easily accessible from the donor site
• Type of surgery done – whether it involves one or more allied procedures, and extent of correction needed
• Hospital/ Clinic used for the surgery
• Skill & expertise of the plastic surgeon

Since Buttock augmentation is usually done as a cosmetic procedure, insurance does not cover the cost. It is therefore important that you are fully aware of the total costs of the procedure, from initial consultation to follow-ups, to need for multiple sessions/ revision surgeries, so you can make an informed decision.

Another significant aspect to take into consideration, besides just the costs, is your comfort factor with the BBL plastic surgeon, and your faith in the surgeon’s expertise. Pay a bit more – but be sure, and be comfortable with your surgeon.

To know the cost applicable for your specific case, please book a consultation.

The choice of the best Brazilian Butt Lift surgeon is a decision to be made with due care. While cost is a relevant consideration, there are other more important factors that should determine your decision:

• Qualifications and certification, specifically plastic surgery related certifications and memberships, such as membership of American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
• Years of experience as a plastic surgeon, and number of surgeries done
• Number of buttock augmentation surgeries done, and frequency thereof
• Proof of work – before/ after images
• Patient testimonials
• Surgeon reputation
• Your comfort factor with the surgeon, his manners, his patience in answering your questions
• Surgeon’s philosophy regarding patient safety

You are planning an extensive and demanding surgery, so it’s very important that you decide wisely.

You can read my full profile here.

The clinic or hospital for your BBL surgery should be carefully chosen. Ensure that the facility is licensed. A hospital is not necessary for this surgery, an accredited/ licensed clinic is just fine.

The clinic should have a licensed anaesthetist on board, competent nursing and operations staff, and the surgical room should be clean and hygienic.

Ministry of Health (MOH), Dubai regularly conducts inspection of all medical and surgical facilities in Dubai and license is granted or renewed only if the prescribed conditions regarding hygiene, safety, etc. are met.

My medical center – Cocoona Center for Aesthetic Transformation, in Dubai, UAE is an MOH-licensed clinic, and we are permitted to perform surgeries under local anaesthesia. We also have competent anaesthesiolgists on board, and a full team of caring and professional nurses, patient counselors, and other support staff. For surgeries under general anesthesia, we perform them at an accredited clinic or, at a hospital of your choice.

The BBL process involves making small incisions to perform liposuction or fat extraction from pre-determined donor sites, then the transfer of the extracted and purified fat into the buttock through multiple tiny injections, and then closing the incisions. The surgery will be done either at my licensed clinic, Cocoona in Dubai, UAE, or at another accredited clinic or hospital, depending upon your choice, and anesthesia considerations.

Understanding the process involves knowing about anesthesia, the surgical steps, post-procedure recovery, return to normalcy, risks involved, and expected results.   

• What anesthesia is used?  

The procedure is usually done under local anesthesia with IV sedation (twilight anesthesia), but may be done under general anesthesia in specific cases.

• What are the surgical steps during the procedure? 

The surgical procedure has 6 stages:

Stage 1 – Administering the anesthesia

Stage 2 – Fat Extraction/ Liposuction Stage: Making small incisions at the various pre-identified donor sites (love handles, abdomen, back, thighs), inserting a fine needle (microcannula) and using manual motion, vibration, or ultrasonic waves, to loosen and liquify the excess fat, and then suctioning it out.

Stage 3 – Fat Processing Stage: Once the liposuction is done, the extracted fat is very carefully processed and purified, to ensure that only the best quality fat is used for the fat transfer to buttocks, which will directly affect the quality of the end results.

Usually, only 1/3 of the extracted fat qualifies for the fat transfer to the butt.

Stage 4 – Fat Transfer/ Fat Injection Stage: The high quality, purified fat is transferred, or injected into the buttocks using special cannula.

Stage 5 – Closing the incisions with self-dissolving sutures, or ones that might need manual removal.

Stage 6 – Viewing the results once the swelling has dissipated.

I will customize the plan for each patient, depending on the correction needed, and your expectations.

During our initial consultation, I will explain the procedure as appropriate to your specific case.

• • How is the best fat absorption rate achieved for lasting results?

As mentioned previously, the best results for BBL can only be attained if the fat is harvested, processed, and transferred or reinjected correctly.

For fat extraction, I only use the finest microcannula (needles), as that results in higher quality fat extraction, and finally better results.

I personally ensure that the fat processing is carried out meticulously and choose only the very best donor fat cells for the reinjection process. It is for this reason that I must perform liposuction at a minimum of 2, and upto 4 donor sites to get the required volume of fat.  

I make hundreds of micro injections into the buttocks at various places and at varying depths to ensure smooth, natural looking results and to enable the best chances of fat absorption.

At this stage, you are likely to have some more questions for me to clarify. Some such questions are covered herein. I will be glad to answer these and any other concerns you have.

• What are the recovery steps immediately after the procedure? 

After completing the procedure, as the effect of the anesthesia wears out, there will be medium to high pain and discomfort which will be managed with pain killers. You will need to wear special compression garments to support the buttocks, keep the skin in place, and minimize swelling for up to 2 weeks, or longer. Drainage tubes may also be put in place to drain excess fluids from the incision sites for up to 7 days. You will also need to take oral antibiotics for a few days.

If the surgery is an outpatient one, you will be able to go home the same day, accompanied by a family member or friend.

On the day following the surgery, you are advised to remain in bed all day, and to move your hands and feet regularly just to keep blood circulation going. By the second day, you can walk slowly around the house. You will need help at home for the first 2-3 weeks for the routine household chores, and taking care of the children.

For the first 2 weeks after surgery, you will need to avoid putting pressure on your buttocks. It is recommended to lie or sleep on your stomach or side. No sitting is permitted, except for using the toilet. During the 3rd week, you can sit, but you should put a “doughnut” pillow or Roho cushion under your hamstring muscles, but not touching your buttocks, so your buttock is elevated, and there is no pressure on it.

After a week or so, the sutures are removed, and general check-up is done. Most of the swelling disappears within 2-3 weeks, and you can resume work then, though little swelling may remain until 6 weeks.

You should avoid strenuous exercises, bending and lifting weights for at least 8-12 weeks, and until after my express permission. Direct exposure of the buttocks to sunlight should be avoided for 1 year after surgery.

It is extremely important that you strictly follow the post-operative recovery requirements, otherwise the transferred fat will not “take” or find a permanent place in your buttocks, resulting in it being naturally discharged from your body, thus diminishing the results achieved.

When will the results be visible? 

You will see the enhanced results immediately after surgery, despite the swelling from the surgery. After the swelling diminishes, which is around 2-3 weeks, you will be able to see the impact. Full results are visible in 6-8 weeks as the swelling completely subsides, the transferred fat is fully grafted in the new location, it settles into position, and the new buttock shape comes into place.