Am I a good candidate for skinny BBL with 126lb & BMI at 21? (Photos)

Question

Hi. I always had a flat butt. Due to sciatic pain not able to work out to enhance my glutes. I want to get a BBL, but not sure if I have to gain more weight or what I have now is good enough. I also have some fat on my upper arms. My BMI is 21.

Ghassan Mehio, MD · Answer

It does look as though you may have enough body fat to be a candidate for a skinny BBL, but only if you have realistic expectations. A skinny BBL can enhance the shape of your buttocks, but the result will be subtle. You aren’t going to leave the clinic looking like J Lo, but you can become a slightly shapelier version of yourself. 
I absolutely do not recommend gaining weight for your procedure. Doing so enlarges your existing fat cells, which will return to their normal size when your weight evens back out. This can alter the results of your procedure significantly. The best thing is to maintain a steady weight prior to your BBL so your plastic surgeon gets a realistic picture of what they have to work with.

Gregory Lakin, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. You are in the healthy weight range with a BMI of 21, which is ideal for a BBL. However, it’s important to assess whether you have enough fat to donate for the procedure. If you don't have enough fat, your surgeon may suggest gaining some weight or consider another procedure, such as silicone implants, to achieve your desired results. A consultation with a board-certified surgeon will give you a clearer assessment.

Ajaya Kashyap, MD · Answer

Thank you for your query. You will certainly benefit from gaining some weight before planning a BBL, if you can. However, if you are unable to do so, it may still be possible to get some fat from the waist, the abdomen and even the upper part of the body to give you better volume in your buttock area. Please find an experienced board certified Plastic surgeon who can examine you and help you with all your concerns. All the best!

Fernando Ovalle Jr., MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question! Yes, I do believed that after reviewing your photos that you could be a good candidate for a "skinny" BBL. Specifically, gather more donor fat from other areas besides your abdomen, flanks, and back typically means going to the upper inner arms and upper inner thighs. And the, prioritizing the pure fat to maximize either projection or hip curves, etc, as determined by your conversation with your surgeon. Good luck to you!

Mathew A. Plant, MD, FRCSC · Answer

​Without examining you it is difficult to be certain but based on the photos it looks like you are a good candidate for a skinny BBL depending on your specific goals. I don’t personally suggest patients gain weight for the procedure. It only swells the existing fat cells, it doesn’t create more, and the body will return to its preferred set point a year or so after surgery so the weight gained tends to be lost anyways. I’d suggest having a consultation with a local plastic surgeon that has significant expertise in BBL to be examined and get a better sense of what your options are. Hope that helps!

Luis Suarez, MD · Answer

We would need to check your medical history as well, just to make sure that there’s not been any previous pregnancies but overall, just by looking at the pictures it does seem that you are a good candidate for a 360 liposuction with BBL. And it does seem that there is enough to be able to successfully transfer to the buttocks to give a good outcome.

Krishna Vyas, MD, PhD, MHS · Answer

Yes, you are a candidate for a "skinny BBL." Even though your BMI is on the lower end, there may still be enough fat in areas like your abdomen, flanks, inner thighs, back, and upper arms to perform the procedure. The amount of fat available for transfer will likely be more subtle than with patients who have more fat, but a skilled surgeon can create an enhanced hourglass shape through strategic liposuction and fat transfer. Your surgeon will help you set realistic expectations based on your body type and goals.
Krishna Vyas, MD, PhD, MHSHarvard, Hopkins, & Mayo Clinic Trained Aesthetic Plastic SurgeonNew York, New York

Samir Hasan, MD · Answer

Although you have a low BMI, you may still be a good candidate for a BBL. However, you will likely require liposuction from multiple areas (including the arms, axilla, back, flanks, abdomen, and thighs) in order to harvest sufficient fat for a noticeable volume to be transferred to your buttocks. It is best to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon who is experienced in performing skinny BBLs.

John Reilly, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi, I think you're a good candidate for a BBL. Bbl's in my practice are for shape not massive volume. I think your donor sites could be your arms, abdominal wall, low back and your upper/inner thighs. These areas can give the fat required to make it reasonable change in the appearance of the buttocks. Small amounts of fat makes smaller changes. BBL should be about shape not volume. Find someone who does them often and I would think you can have a very nice result. Best of luck.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Munara90,
based on your photos, you look like a good candidate for a BBL. Liposuction of your abdomen, back and flanks should give you more curves and hourglass shape and fat transfer to buttocks should give you more projection. I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon because only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery