Should I lose or gain weight for BBL if I want curvy hips & bubble butt? (Photo)

Question

I’m 5’2” and 145 pounds now. I want a flat stomach, fatless back, curvy hips, & a bubble butt (like my wish pic). I worry that if I do NOT lose weight, my stomach and back won’t be flat/toned as I want to feel totally confident in a bikini. And I worry that if I do lose weight, then I won’t have enough fat for curves and projection. And I don’t want to do surgery more than once to get the result that I want in wish pic. Should I gain or lose weight?

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.

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. 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.
With regards to your specific question, I would discourage weight gain for the purposes of harvest alone unless you plan to maintain at a heavier weight. It is important to remember that anatomy plays a role in defining your waistline. Some may be naturally "curvier" (smaller waist to hip ratio) than others. If you have (at some point) had a much narrower waist, this may be reached via liposuction and the hips and buttocks can be subsequently accentuated via fat transfer.The key is reach a healthy stable weight prior to surgery (preferably with a BMI < 30).
As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear bay_area_beauty,
you should know that for this type of surgery, it is very important to have a stable weight in order to be a good candidate. If you loose or gain weight prior to surgery, it can have a negative effect on your surgery results. If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD

Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Neither.  You should realize an immense benefit with maximal liposuction of the abdomen, sides, thighs, and back to obtain the smallest waist possible and then maximal fat transfer to the buttocks and hips. If your waist was smaller at one time, the waist can likely be reduced to those same measurements or smaller provided the muscular and fascial integrity has remained the same.  
The BBL results are highly surgeon dependent.  Some plastic surgeons can do almost anything and change the shape of anything.  You have to be creative.  There are some anatomic limits, but, for the most part, dramatic transformations can be achieved.  Find a American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) certified plastic surgeon with ELITE credentials 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 you are seeking.  
Kenneth Hughes, MD, ABPS Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

Emmanuel Mallol Cotes, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Based on your photos you appear to be a good candidate for full body intense liposuction to improve your body contour and get better curves, especially in your waist area and Dominican Butt lift taking the fat we get and transfer to the buttocks and hips, to mold them and get better volume, contour and butt projection.
Kind regards,Dr. Emmanuel Mallol Cotes.-

Should I lose or gain weight for BBL if I want curvy hips & bubble butt? (Photo)

Answers (10)

Answer: Should I lose or gain weight for BBL if I want curvy hips & bubble butt? (Photo)

Answer: Should I lose or gain weight for BBL if I want curvy hips & bubble butt? (Photo)

Answer: Lipo + BBL

Answer: Lipo + BBL

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Brazilian Butt Lift

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Should I lose or gain weight for BBL if I want curvy hips & bubble butt? (Photo)

Answers (10)

Answer: Should I lose or gain weight for BBL if I want curvy hips & bubble butt? (Photo)

Answer: Should I lose or gain weight for BBL if I want curvy hips & bubble butt? (Photo)

Answer: Lipo + BBL

Answer: Lipo + BBL

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Brazilian Butt Lift

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.