The Difference Between Butt Augmentation vs. Brazilian Butt Lift: Understanding the Differences

Buttock enhancement surgeries have gained immense popularity in recent years, with patients seeking a fuller, shapelier backside to achieve their desired aesthetic. Two of the most prominent procedures for buttock enhancement are Butt Augmentation and the Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL). Both are designed to enhance the appearance of the buttocks, but they differ significantly in techniques, outcomes, recovery, and risks.

Below, we will detail these two procedures to help you understand their distinctions and guide you in making an informed decision.

What is Butt Augmentation?

Butt augmentation typically involves the use of butt implants to add volume to the buttocks. These implants, similar to breast implants, are made from silicone and are inserted into the buttock area to provide a more rounded and fuller appearance. The primary purpose of this procedure is to enhance the shape and size of the buttocks using synthetic materials.

What is a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL)?

The Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) is a different technique altogether. Instead of using implants, a BBL utilizes fat transfer to reshape and add volume to the buttocks. Through liposuction, excess fat is harvested from other body areas, such as the abdomen, thighs, or flanks. This fat is purified and injected into the buttocks, creating a more contoured and natural appearance.

Now, let’s dive deeper into the significant differences between these two procedures:

Technique and Procedure

Butt Augmentation

• Implants are used in butt augmentation to provide volume and shape.
• The surgeon creates an incision, typically in the natural crease of the buttocks, and then places the silicone implants either on top of the gluteal muscles or within the muscle layers. The position of the implant depends on the patient’s desired look and the surgeon’s recommendations.
• This procedure does not involve fat transfer; the implants are permanent unless removed or replaced.

Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL)

• The BBL focuses on using fat grafting or fat transfer. Excess fat is first harvested from areas where the patient has unwanted fat deposits, like the stomach or thighs.
• After the fat is collected via liposuction, it undergoes purification, and then the purified fat is strategically injected into the specific areas of the buttocks to enhance shape and size.
• Unlike butt augmentation, the BBL uses your body’s natural fat rather than implants, which can provide a more natural look and feel.

Material Used

Butt Augmentation

• Silicone implants, typically round or oval, are used. They provide a permanent change in the size and contour of the buttocks.
• Implants are synthetic and may need to be replaced after a certain period due to wear and tear or the body’s reaction to foreign material.

Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL)

• The BBL relies on autologous fat (the patient’s fat) as the material used to enhance the buttocks. Because this fat naturally occurs in the body, there’s no risk of the body rejecting it.
• Patients with sufficient body fat in other areas are ideal candidates for the BBL since fat is necessary for the procedure.

Results and Appearance

Butt Augmentation

• Implants provide more predictable and controlled volume results. This means patients can achieve a significant increase in size if they desire.
• The shape of the buttocks tends to be more rounded and prominent, as silicone implants are solid structures that can deliver a specific aesthetic look.
• Because implants are not dependent on fat availability, this procedure is suitable for people with minimal body fat who still desire more prominent buttocks.

Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL)

• The BBL generally offers a more natural-looking enhancement since it uses the patient’s own fat. The injected fat is soft and pliable and can be molded to fit the natural contours of the buttocks.
• Results can vary depending on how much fat survives after the transfer. Typically, a percentage of the fat (around 30-40%) may be reabsorbed by the body in the months following the surgery.
• The BBL is ideal for those seeking a subtle, natural enhancement rather than a dramatic increase in size.

Recovery Process

Butt Augmentation

• Recovery from butt augmentation can take up to six weeks. During this time, patients are advised to avoid sitting or lying down directly on their buttocks to allow the implants to settle and reduce complications.
• The recovery period for butt implants may be slightly longer and more uncomfortable compared to the BBL, as the body is adjusting to a foreign object.
• Swelling, bruising, and soreness are joint, and patients may need to wear compression garments to help heal.

Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL):

• Recovery from a BBL is also lengthy, with full recovery typically taking around four to six weeks.
• Like butt augmentation, patients need to avoid sitting or putting pressure directly on their buttocks for a few weeks. Special pillows or cushions can help prevent pressure on the buttocks.
• Recovery involves both healing from the liposuction procedure and the fat grafting process. Swelling and bruising in the areas where fat was removed and injected are common.

Risks and Complications

Butt Augmentation

• Implants risk complications such as capsular contracture, where the body forms scar tissue around the implant, causing it to become hard or misshapen.
• There’s also a risk of implant rupture or movement, which would require additional surgery.
• Infection, implant rejection, and asymmetry are other potential risks.

Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL)

• The BBL has risks, including fat embolism, a severe condition where fat enters the bloodstream and blocks blood vessels. This is a rare but life-threatening complication.
• There’s also the risk of fat absorption—where a percentage of the transferred fat doesn’t survive, leading to uneven results or additional procedures to correct the outcome.
• Because liposuction is involved, additional risks exist, such as irregular contours or lumps in the areas where fat was removed.

Candidacy

Butt Augmentation

• This procedure is suitable for individuals who do not have sufficient body fat to undergo a BBL and are looking for a more dramatic increase in size.
• People with minimal excess fat are ideal candidates for butt implants as it does not rely on the availability of fat in other parts of the body.

Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL):

• A BBL is better suited for individuals with enough fat to transfer from one part of their body to the buttocks. Candidates should be at a stable weight and have a healthy lifestyle to maintain the results.
• The BBL is generally not recommended for people with very low body fat or individuals looking for a more exaggerated enhancement.

Long-Term Results

Butt Augmentation

• Butt implants offer permanent results, but they may require maintenance or replacement over time due to implant wear.
• The shape and size achieved with implants remain stable over time, but patients may experience changes in skin elasticity as they age.

Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL)

• The results of a BBL can also be long-lasting, but patients need to maintain a stable weight to preserve the transferred fat. Significant weight fluctuations can affect the outcome.
• While the initial results of a BBL are immediate, the body will reabsorb some fat over time, with final results becoming apparent after several months.

Butt Augmentation vs. Brazialian Butt?

Both butt augmentation and the Brazilian Butt Lift have their pros and cons, and the choice between the two procedures depends on individual goals, body type, and the desired outcome. Butt augmentation with implants offers more predictable results, making it a suitable option for those with little body fat or seeking a more dramatic increase in size.

On the other hand, the Brazilian Butt Lift provides a more natural-looking enhancement, using the patient’s fat to achieve a fuller, more contoured appearance.

Consulting with board-certified plastic surgeons such as Dr. Allen Rosen and Dr. Valerie Ablaza at the Plastic Surgery Group in Montclair, New Jersey, is crucial to determining the best option for your needs and goals.