Is there an alternative to BBL for skinny girls?

Question

How do doctors tell if a woman is too skinny for BBL? Is there anything us skinny ladies can do about it?

Jeffrey LaGrasso, MD · Answer

You have extra fat pockets in the flanks which would be liposuction and harvested to give that hourglass waistline. I would achieve that nice concavity and curve in the lower back giving you that "S-Curve" that women want. There is always enough fat to perform the procedure, and adding the volume to the buttocks as well as carving out the rest of the body will give you a fantastic result. Be careful with pricing as in Plastic Surgery cheaper is not necessarily better. You want to find a well qualified plastic surgeon to perform the procedure is because if there are issues with the operation and complications, it typically will cost you more financially and physically in the long run. The saying you get what you pay for definitely applies in most cases in plastic surgery.

Richard Zienowicz, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. I have many patients with very little body fat who wish to have a BBL. It depends on the patient and their desires. If you have areas of fat that can be liposuctioned, with enough volume to fat graft, you can notice a subtle change both in the liposuctioned areas as well as the buttocks. Usually this doesn't translate into increasing the buttock volume very much, but changing the overall shape and giving a more curvaceous figure to the thin patient. Also - there is a more expensive option called Renuva, which is an allograft adipose matrix that comes in small volumes. This can be used to treat divots in the buttocks (as well as spot areas in other parts of the body) if you are so thin that using your own fat is not an option for you.The last option I recommend, which is not permanent, is Sculptra injections to the buttock performed by a board certified plastic surgeon. This typically lasts for two years and can be pricier as well, but good for those patients who do not have enough fat to undergo BBL.I do not recommend buttock implants due to the complications and low patient satisfaction with this procedure.

Dhaval M. Patel, MD · Answer

Thank you for your post. In the unlikely event that there is not enough fat for BBL, buttock implants are a viable option to achieve the desired results. It's best to have a thorough in person consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon in your area to discuss all of your treatment options. Best of luck!
Dr. Dhaval M.Patel
Double Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Chicago-Water Tower Place, Oakbrook, Hoffman Estates, Orland Park

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Buttock implants are probably the only option given your lack of fat stores.
Intramuscular implants can improve volume by 400 cc or so, depending upon the size of the individual. A significant amount above this volume compromises healing by creating more tension on the healing incision.It is a rare individual in whom I cannot find enough fat to perform a BBL.  I have liposuctioned models and thin patients with good results.  Of course, I would need to see photos or examine you to determine if you fall into this category.Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

Donovan Rosas, MD · Answer

For those patients with a paucity of donor fat reserves, implants remain an option for buttock augmentation. While they have fallen out of favor with the rise of the BBL, buttock implants remain an option.Patients should be aware that unlike breast implants buttock implants are distinctly different. They are solid rather than filled which lends a less natural feel. The implants can be placed sub/intra-muscular or subcutaneously. However, the muscle plane is not as nicely defined as the submuscular space of the chest wall. Sizing can also be challenging as there is not correlate cup size for comparison. Additionally, some measure of fat grafting is preferred when using an implant to camouflage the borders of the implant. Thus thin patients may still be at a disadvantage due to the lack of available fat for transfer.On the plus side, the results are typically more reliable than fat transfer in which the outcome is wholly dependent on variable fat graft take/viability.As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

The only alternative that is permanent is using buttock implants. Best of luck with your decision to move forward.

Melek Kayser, MD (retired) · Answer

Thank you for your question. Fat transfer for butt augmentation is not only about volume but contouring, so, except for women who desire to be extremely disproportionately large, removing fat from the adjacent hip areas and transferring that fat to the depressions of the buttocks can often significantly change and improve shape. I would certainly recommend a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon experienced in these matters. I hope this helps and have a wonderful day. Dr. Kayser - Detroit