BBL vs Butt implants?

Thanks for your question about a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) or implants. A BBL utilizes Liposuction and Fat Transfer to enhance the appearance of the trunk, waistline, and buttocks. The Liposuction part of the procedure has two important factors. First, there must be enough fat available to transfer to the buttocks to achieve the desired result. The amount of fat needed for transfer varies depending on the patient’s goals and body type. The second component is lipo-contouring of the "frame" around the buttock, specifically in creating a narrowed and more appealing waistline and a more inward-curved lower back. Enhancing the body’s natural curves creates an elegant contour and further refines the appearance of the buttocks.The video above shows the difference when focusing on body contouring in addition to adding volume in the buttocks, rather than using implants or just transferring additional fat. This patient had two previous butt augmentation surgeries prior to the BBL we performed to achieve her desired results.I have had excellent results in patients with BBL and in the vast majority of patients we are able to obtain good results without the disadvantages of implants, which include implant-related problems such as exposure, visibility or contracture in addition to possible shape problems.Hope this helps.Nick Slenkovich, MD FACS

In the hands of an experienced Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, a healthy patient will have a very low risk of complications. Which procedure is better for your case, can be discussed in a consultation where the surgeon can check your body frame, amount of donor area for the fat, your current buttock size and your expectations. Sometimes a combination of the liposuction and fat grafting together with the buttock implants is needed, so the patient can get the desired results. The advantages of the fat grafting are many, as you get better contour on the donor areas plus more volume and a better round shape in the buttocks with minimal scars and natural results. For patient who do not have enough fat, then the buttock implants will be the best procedure, the advantages is the results are long lasting, and the main disadvantage will be the scar, tha usually is not a problem as it can be hide very well.

There are advantages and disadvantages for both - but the trend is moving towards Brazilian Butt Lift.  It all ready depends on your anatomy and desires.With a Brazilian Butt Lift you need to have an adequate amount of fat to be harvest by liposuction to use as material for injection into the butt.  The advantage is that it is your own tissue, it feels more natural, its softer, and your body will not reject it.  Plus whatever lives will stay somewhat permanently.  Also since liposuction is performed, the body can be sculpted to provide an improved shape.  The disadvantage is that, on average, about 20-30% of the fat will not survive - but it could be more or less just depending on the individual.  Thus we tend to overinject knowing that a lot of it will shrink down.  The final size is sometimes hard to predict.With a butt implant, the advantage is that you get the desired volume immediately and have better control of the size.  The disadvantage though, is that it is a foreign material and your body can reject it.  It could get infected, fluid collections can develop, and the implant could move out of place.  If you are a candidate for a Brazilian Butt Lift then that is probably the route to go.  If you are not a candidate for BBL and really want a butt augmentation, then an implant would be the only way to go.  What I have found is that most butt implants end up having to get removed for one reason or another after several years down the road.Good luck and hope this helps.  - Dr. Roger Tsai