Butt Implants vs. BBL: The Ultimate Comparison

Posted November 15, 2024 in Brazilian Butt Lift

The buttocks are a part of the human anatomy regarded with fascination across genders. The cultural cachet of the buttocks only seems to increase with each passing year, and as a result, many people look to cosmetic surgery to enhance their backside. This begs the question: what’s the difference between a BBL and butt implants, and more importantly, which is right for me? This blog will provide detailed answers to these questions and more.

5 Min Read:

What Are Butt Implants?

Butt implants, much like breast implants, are silicone medical devices designed to augment the size of the buttocks and provide a round and shapely aesthetic.

Butt implants can be placed inside the gluteal muscle or below it, depending on the patient’s anatomy and desired outcome.

What Is a Brazilian Butt Lift?

A Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) is a cosmetic surgery designed to enhance the shape and increase the size of the buttocks using the patient’s own body fat. This fat is harvested from other parts of the body, such as the abdomen, flanks, back, thighs, bra line, and more.

Many patients enjoy the double benefits of a BBL—the body contouring achieved through liposuction and the natural enhancement of the buttocks through fat transfer.

Which Procedure Is Right For Me?

The best procedure for you depends on factors such as your starting anatomy and desired aesthetic. Patient satisfaction for both procedures relies on overall safety, so choosing a qualified surgeon like Dr. Boyd is paramount.

While it is best to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon to ascertain the best procedure for you, there are several pros and cons to consider before you make your initial consultation appointment.

Candidacy

The main discrepancy in candidacy between butt implants and a BBL is whether an individual has enough fat to harvest for a BBL. Sometimes, butt implants are the only option for leaner patients who lack excess fat.

Patients with pinchable fat who prefer a natural look and wish to contour the waist, abdomen, thighs, or other areas of the body may be good candidates for a BBL.

To determine your candidacy, it is best to consult with a qualified plastic surgeon. Dr. Brian Boyd is a board-certified plastic surgeon with decades of experience. He and his team would be happy to help you learn more about the body contouring procedures you’re interested in. Fill out our brief online contact form for more information!

Cost

The cost of both procedures depends on several factors, including surgeon expertise, location, facility fees, and more.

Typically, a BBL costs a bit more than butt implants because of the additional liposuction involved in the procedure. Even so, butt implants usually need to be replaced every 10–15 years or if they develop complications like capsular contracture or displacement, which will incur the cost of additional revision surgery.

Potential Complications

Butt implants come with risks like displacement, rupture, infection, and the overdevelopment of scar tissue around the implant (capsular contracture). Silicone implants are foreign objects, which always run the risk of rejection or generally unpredictable body reactions.

BBL risks include fat embolism, which occurs when fat accidentally enters the bloodstream and blocks blood vessels. This is a serious complication, albeit rare. To minimize complications, it is vitally important to choose a highly experienced board-certified plastic surgeon, such as Dr. Boyd, for a BBL.

Results: Aesthetic and Longevity

Butt implants provide immediate and dramatic results due to the shape and consistency of the implant devices. Some patients enjoy the sculpted look achieved by synthetic implants. However, implants need to be replaced every 10–15 years. Implants tend to be firm and may not feel as natural as a BBL. Importantly, they represent a foreign body and are prone to all the complications of breast implants.

BBLs typically create a softer and more natural look and feel since this procedure uses the patient’s own fat. However, BBL results take more time to unfold because the injected fat has to acclimate to its new placement in the body. Dr. Boyd initially administers more fat than necessary to offset the resorption of fat cells that typically occurs in the initial stages of BBL recovery. BBL results are considered permanent, although they can be affected by factors like weight fluctuation.

Scars

Butt implant surgery involves larger incisions hidden in the crease between the buttocks. Butt implant scars usually fade if proper wound care is followed.

BBLs involve tiny incisions for liposuction and fat grafting, so scars are typically minimal, heal well, and are placed in inconspicuous locations.

Choose the Best Option for You

Ultimately, your choice between butt implants and a BBL will depend on your body type, aesthetic goals, and lifestyle. If you want dramatic, sculpted results and do not have the excess fat required for a BBL, butt implants might be right for you. However, if you prefer a more natural look and feel and want to contour other areas of the body, a BBL could be perfect for you.

It’s a good idea to prepare a list of questions and pictures of your ideal aesthetic to bring to a consultation with a qualified, highly experienced plastic surgeon like Dr. Boyd. He will evaluate your anatomy, discuss your goals, and recommend the best option for your desired look.

Want to Learn More About Buttock Enhancement in the South Bay?

Dr. Boyd is a compassionate, board-certified plastic surgeon with decades of experience in helping patients achieve aesthetic goals. If you want to learn more about the Brazilian Butt Lift procedure, schedule a consultation by filling out our online contact form, or call (310) 597-4734.