Am I too skinny for a BBL at 5'3 and 105-116 pounds? (Photos)

Question

I’m 5’3” and I way between 105-116. I’m an athlete and my weight can fluctuate. I’ve tried gaining a bigger butt through workouts but it seems no matter what I do I can’t gain muscle there. Also whenever I gain weight my butt stays the same size.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

I have had great success with BBLs for thinner women, but these surgeries are not easy.  Maximal fat must be harvested without creating any contour deformities.  In the last few months, three of my patients weighed about 115; I was able to transfer 700 cc per buttock in each one.

I perform about 500 BBLs each year, and this procedure is the most surgeon dependent plastic surgery procedure. Find a board certified plastic surgeon with ELITE credentials (certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, education, training, experience)  who performs hundreds of BBLs each year. Then look at the plastic surgeon's website before and after photo galleries to get a sense of who can deliver the results. Schedule an in-office consultation with a couple of these surgeons so that they can examine you, determine the amount of fat to be transferred, and discuss your health history and ultimate goals.
Kenneth Hughes, MD, ABPS Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

Emmanuel De La Cruz, MD · Answer

Hello miaelise444,
It’s a pleasure to answer your questions! One of the main considerations when evaluating a patients’ candidacy for Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) surgery is whether they have enough fat stored in their body, so the surgeon can harvest enough fat cells to use during the fat transfer phase. For patients with insufficient fat deposits, the plastic surgeon may advice weight gain before the BBL to qualify for the procedure. For a more voluptuous rear, I would suggest gaining at least 20 lbs. prior to your surgery. Consult with a board-certified and experience plastic surgeon to assess your candidacy for BBL surgery based on your age, weight, skin laxity, body shape and health status, among other factors. Kind regards! Dr. De La Cruz.

Carolina Restrepo, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question. When planning a Brazilian butt lift, patients can look forward to a double benefit: reducing areas of unwanted fat while gaining a perkier, rounded posterior.  Each procedure must be planned according to the individual needs of patients, harvesting fat from target areas of the torso, thighs or knees and transferring it to create smooth, attractive contours optimized for each person.  The amount of fat transferred depends on the quantity available and the extent of buttock augmentation you desire.  You may not be a good candidate if you’re very slim with little fat to spare. However it's best to get a consultation with a board cetified plastic surgeon.

Jaime S. Schwartz, MD, FACS · Answer

A good candidate has enough fat available for transfer in the procedure. The amount of fat that can be transferred in a BBL depends on how much fat the patient has to harvest and the amount of space there is to move the fat into. It is recommended for the patient to have a BMI of 30 or less. If you are too thin, a Brazilian Butt Lift may not be possible.

Richard Zienowicz, MD · Answer

First, it would be good to talk to a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in person who can review your medical records and discuss what is possible. As was noted by other people posting, you need fat to be able to take it out from one location and graft it to another. There's a 40%-60% survival rate of the fat grafted. It's not the best option for everyone, and not everyone is going to get a similar result. Developing a plan with a doctor would be the best step to take to develop the best plan for you.

Donovan Rosas, MD · Answer

Patients interested in BBL often ask questions of the necessary volume for transfer. Ultimately, the answer is two pronged and based upon both patient expectations and the nature of fat graft themselves.
BBL and fat transfer is ultimately dependent upon the long term viability of the fat grafted. That being said the resorption rates of fat transferred can be significant. Clinically this translates to a progressive loss of grafted volume in the months following the procedure.
I tell patients that they can expect resorption or graft loss on the order of 50% (at most; prepare for the worst and hope for significantly better). Additionally some harvest volume is lost in processing the fat graft prior to transfer. Thus I generally recommend that patients seeking even the most minimal volume increase have adequate reserves for grafting of 500 cc per cheek (at minimum).  This means that harvest will usually exceed 1 liter (assuming for processing loss).
However, it important to remember that these are recommendations and can be amended based upon a patient's particular expectations. Some patients only want a subtle change and may be willing to accept a less significant result. But the rule still applies you have to have the fat to transfer the fat.
The question is ultimately a function of your goals. Enough? is a relative question. For some a small upsize is acceptable, whereas for others it would be a disappointment. This is best determined via in-person consultation. Optimally, you should be at a healthy stable weight (preferably with a BMI < 30) with adequate donor sites for harvest. I do not recommend weight gain unless you intend to maintain post op.
Based upon your photos, you have minimal reserves for augmentation. You might consider a hybrid surgery where fat is combined with an implant. The EMSculpt is non-invasive option for building gluteal muscle via magnetically induced contraction (a 30 minute session is the equivalent of several thousand squats).
As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).

Tania Medina de Garcia, MD · Answer

Hello dear!
Thanks for the pictures and provided information as well.
Based on your photos, you are a good candidate for butt implants, since you don´t have enough fat to transfer, and I think you'll get very good results. 
l recommend you to make an in-person consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon for a proper answer and to talk about your goals and anything you need to know.
Good luck :)

Alejandro Hernandez Pizzoglio, MD · Answer

Maybe you dont have much fat to remove, and your bbl is going to be very small.  Try to gain 10' pounds for getting more fat for injecting your buttBest WishesDr Hernandez

Sean Kelishadi, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. Based on your photos, it does not appear that you have enough fat available for a noticeable BBL. You may consider Buttock implants or alternatives to fat like Sculptra injections (this is off label and very expensive).  Make sure to seek the expertise of a board certified plastic surgeon to go over your options.  I hope this helps!Sincerely,Dr. Sean Kelishadi

Manuel Belen, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Hello,
  
Thank you for sharing the information, it is a pleasure for me to answer your question.
you have a beautiful figure, you have a small amount of fat to be able to achieve your goals, you must increase a little more weight in order to collect the fat and be able to achieve the most curvilinear appearance in your hips.
It is advisable to consult with a certified plastic surgeon, for a good evaluation, to provide you with all the information you need to know about the appropriate recommendations, so that you can achieve the desired goals in your body.
  
I hope this answer will help you
  
My best wishes for you...

Am I too skinny for a BBL at 5'3 and 105-116 pounds? (Photos)

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Answers (10)

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