What is the difference between Brazilian butt lift and fat transfer?

This is a great question as there are so many terms that reference a butt augmentation.  Brazilian Butt Lift is a popular term that is commonly used to describe a butt augmentation that is performed only with fat transfer.  The Brazilian Butt Lift typically includes liposuction of the abdomen, back and flanks (occasionally other areas as needed), that fat is then processed and used to augment the buttock.  The combination of the liposculpting and the fat transfer has the ability to transform a patient’s shape from square to more of an hourglass figure.  This total body transformation is one of the reasons that the Brazilian Butt Lift has become so popular.

When people talk about fat transfer it can be done in isolation as is done with a Brazilian Butt Lift or in combination with butt implants.  The fat can be used to augment the buttock or the hips.  In patients that have a limited amount of fat to be transferred often have a combination of butt implants and fat transfer.  This way the implants can create the majority of the butt augmentation, while the fat is used to soften the implants and augment the hips. 

In plastic surgery there can be several terms to describe the same procedure.  This can also be confusing to patients as some of the terms are used interchangeably.  Please discuss your butt augmentation options with your board certified plastic surgeon.  He or she will be able to help guide you to the procedure that would be best to help you achiever your aesthetic goals.  

The Brazilian buttlift refers to fat transfer to the buttocks with fat harvested by liposuction.Kenneth Hughes, MDLos Angeles, CA

BBL and fat transfer have become synonomous as of late. The Brazilian Butt Lift is a media friendly description of buttock augmentation using autologous fat transfer. During the procedure fat will be harvested from donor sites using liposuction and subsequently processed before grafting or injection into the buttocks for a volumizing effect. Fat graft viability is variable but fat resorption rates can be expected to reach 50%. The fat that does remain will be permanent (barring weight loss) and will behave as any other fat in the body behaves.Fat transfer, while a crucial component of BBL, is a procedure unto itself and can be employed for contouring in any area of concern to the patient. Other areas in which fat transfer is employed include the thighs, the breast, the face (much smaller volumes) and throughout the body in areas of contour deformity/asymmetry.As always, discuss any concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon.