Dr. Saber’s Blog
Body contouring can apply to many areas, but the derrière is often one place individuals may want a rounder and more toned look. Generally, there are two cosmetic procedures commonly sought to change the appearance and shape of the buttocks – a Brazilian butt lift (BBL) or butt implant surgery.
Buttock augmentation via a Brazilian butt lift consists of taking a patient’s own fat from other areas of the body and using it to fill out their backside. There are two types of plastic surgery used in a BBL procedure. First, liposuction will take excess fat from the hips, waist, or arms. Then, the fat cells will be injected into the tissues around the gluteal muscles using a fat transfer. A fat transplant to the buttocks often provides a more natural-looking enhancement of the derrière.
Buttock implants are the most common alternative to a Brazilian butt lift. The butt implant procedure relies on solid silicone implants instead of body fat. The implants are generally placed into the gluteal muscle or slightly below it, depending on your body type, to give a fuller, more rounded look. The biocompatible implants can only be inserted through an incision, usually under the buttock cheek or in the crease between the buttocks.
There are pros and cons of each cosmetic procedure. Understanding the benefits and drawbacks of both types of butt enhancement surgeries can help you make a more informed decision. Here are a few considerations to keep in mind:
The fat grafting procedure used in BBL surgery is ideal for those who prefer not to put something “foreign” into their body, as the filler is fat from the patient’s body instead of a synthetic product. Transferred fat often gives a more natural look, and experienced plastic surgeons can place the fat cells exactly where they are needed to fill out any flat or square areas. Additionally, the regions from which the fat is harvested typically become more toned and contoured, providing a welcome body-shaping effect to more areas than just the buttocks.
However, not everyone is a good candidate for a Brazilian butt lift procedure, especially those with a slim body type who do not have enough fat for fat injections. Furthermore, patients who want a more pronounced look than BBL results can provide may also turn to buttock enhancement implants instead of BBL surgery. Silicone implants can significantly increase the size of the backside, making them preferable to those with dramatic aesthetic goals.
During a BBL surgical procedure, two different surgeries will be performed—liposuction and fat transfer injections. As a result, you will have more than one set of incisions: some where the fat cells were harvested and others where they were placed in and around the buttocks. Our surgeon strategically decides where to take fat from and where to put it so the scars are as minimal and hidden as possible.
Recovery time after a Brazilian butt lift procedure can last as long as six months, but the healing process gradually improves week by week. It’s important to know that you cannot put pressure on the butt, especially by sitting, for the first two weeks. Doing so can cause the fat cells to be reabsorbed, resulting in an overall volume loss. Although there are special pillows to shift weight off of the butt cheeks, a return to regular activity generally takes a month or two. Most patients take at least two weeks off work to rest and heal.
Butt implant surgery consists of only one type of procedure, placement of the silicone implants. However, larger incisions are required to insert the implants. As with a BBL, there will be pain, bruising, and swelling around the incision sites during the recovery period. Similarly, sitting is not allowed for the first two weeks, not because of fat cells reabsorption but because undue pressure can shift the implants or irritate the incisions. Generally, patients with booty implants experience less loss of volume during the healing phase than BBL patients.
Both cosmetic procedures share a similar timeline for recovery, including resuming exercise (often around one-month post-op), returning to work, and lifting restrictions entirely (closer to three months).
The risk of complications is present with both a BBL and butt enhancement implant surgery, though there are slight differences. Although BBLs have garnered a reputation for being unsafe in recent years, they are Dr. Saber’s preferred type of gluteal augmentation procedure because the potential risks are low when adequately performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon. From the beginning, Dr. Saber’s caring and strategic approach helps mitigate the risk of complications. One complication that patients are made aware of is the risk of a fat embolism. This happens when fat makes its way into the bloodstream and prevents circulation.
The risk of this complication is less than 1%. On a positive note, because a BBL uses excess fat from a patient’s body, there is no risk of rejection.
During a butt implant procedure, silicone implants are placed inside the body. The body can reject these foreign objects, potentially leading to fever, swelling, infection, and other dangerous issues. Although it is considered rare, the human body naturally wants to fight foreign invaders, making the risk of rejection a looming possibility during any implant procedure. Depending on where the surgeon places the implants, there is also a risk of sciatic nerve damage. Silicone inserts placed below the muscle can lead to capsular contracture, meaning the muscles, tissues, and tendons around the implant are permanently tensed, often causing chronic pain that can radiate down the sciatic nerve.
Other complications, such as the risk of infection at the incision site, change of the shape and size of the butt augmentation during the healing process, and general cosmetic surgery risks, are relatively comparable with both procedures.
The final results of a BBL often don’t become apparent until a few months after surgery, when the fat cells have stabilized. However, Brazilian butt lifts are excellent for natural-looking results that complement your body type. As you age or experience weight fluctuations, the size and shape of your derrière may change slightly, which is why a BBL is considered a semi-permanent procedure. Fortunately, maintaining a healthy weight through diet and lifestyle can help prevent dramatic shifts.
Alternatively, butt implants offer more immediate results thanks to the firm silicone implants that provide instant volume and contouring. Some plastic surgeons claim butt implants can last a lifetime, but the American Society of Plastic Surgeons states they are considered safe and can look aesthetically appealing for ten years or more. Nevertheless, weight loss or weight gain after butt enhancement with implants could result in a misshapen backside as the implants were inserted based on how your derrière looked at the time of the procedure.
CALL (818) 770-7050 OR CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE ONLINE
A consultation with Dr. Saber is an essential first step to figuring out which type of buttock augmentation procedure is right for you, as she can confidently discuss both surgeries. Still, Dr. Saber lists butt implants as a procedure she won’t recommend or perform as it is too risky. She is fully aware of the potential complications of butt implants, and the procedure doesn’t align with her goal to reduce the risk to her patients while still achieving their desired results.
Dr. Sepideh Saber, MD, FACS, offers a sensitive female perspective to all her patients, regardless of age, gender, or orientation. Patients from all walks of life have praised their final results and her caring, thoughtful approach to all types of appearance and health-related concerns. To request a consultation, please make an appointment online or call us at (877) 205-4100 or click here.
Dr. Saber’s practice is located in Encino, CA, and serves patients throughout the Los Angeles area. We are also convenient to Encino, Woodland Hills, Sherman Oaks, Calabasas, Burbank, Glendale, Hidden Hills, Agoura Hills, Northridge, North Hollywood, Malibu, Topanga, Canoga Park, Reseda, Valley Glen, Chatsworth, West Hills, Winnetka, Universal City, Bel Air, Beverly Hills, Downtown Los Angeles, Silverlake, and Echo Park.