A Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) reshapes your waist and hips with liposuction, then adds volume with your own fat.
The goal is balance and clean transitions so the result looks natural in and out of clothes.
What a BBL really does
- Removes fat from areas that blunt your lines. Typical zones include abdomen, flanks, lower back, and thighs.
- Refines shape by tightening the waist and defining the back-to-butt transition.
- Adds volume to the buttocks and hip dips with your own fat to improve projection and curve.
Most of the visible change comes from the waist and lower back contour. Transfer then finishes the shape.
Who is a good candidate
- Stable weight with enough donor fat to make a difference
- Good skin quality that can redrape after liposuction
- Goals focused on proportion and curve rather than a specific number of milliliters
- Realistic expectations about fat retention and the need for healthy habits
For a primer on shaping with liposuction, read how liposuction helps build a better physique.
How I plan shape
- Frame first: narrow the waist and define the sacral triangle and lower back to set the stage.
- Projection vs. width: balance upper pole fullness, lower pole roundness, and lateral hip dips so the silhouette flows.
- Transitions: protect the gluteal fold and blend outer thigh to avoid shelves and dents.
- Staging: prefer two smaller, safer steps over one aggressive change when needed.
BBL vs. butt implants vs. training
| Option | Best for | Upsides | Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| BBL (fat transfer) | Curve plus waist reduction with donor fat available | Two benefits in one plan. Uses your own tissue | Some fat is reabsorbed. Requires careful safety steps |
| Butt implants | Very lean patients without donor fat | Predictable volume | Device risks and longer recovery |
| Targeted training | Mild shaping and maintenance | No surgery. Improves muscle tone | Cannot move fat or tighten loose skin |
Safety and technique
- Modern safety standards: fat placed in the subcutaneous plane only, not into muscle.
- Cannula control: large, blunt cannulas with controlled angles and awareness of anatomy.
- Ultrasound guidance: used when appropriate to confirm depth and plane.
- Accredited OR and trained team: monitoring and protocols that support safe anesthesia and recovery.
Learn more about general safety principles in what makes plastic surgery safe.
Results, retention, and recovery
- Retention: a portion of transferred fat survives long term. The rest is reabsorbed in the first months.
- Shaping window: avoid pressure on grafted areas early. Use pillows and sleep positions that protect the transfer.
- Timeline: swelling improves over weeks. Shape refines across three to six months as tissues settle.
- Maintenance: stable weight and training help the result age well.
FAQ
How much volume is typical
Enough to correct dips and build curve without stressing the skin. I size by shape and skin behavior rather than a fixed number.
Will one session be enough
Often yes. If donor fat is limited or goals are large, a staged plan may be safer.
What if I gain or lose weight
Transferred fat behaves like fat elsewhere on your body. Big swings can change the look. Stable habits protect the result.