Flat buttocks are caused by several reasons – lifestyle, aging, weight loss, and even a job that requires extended periods of sitting. While squatting can give it some volume, there are quicker and more permanent ways to achieve a plumper butt – such as Brazilian butt lift and buttock implants.
But which between butt implants and Brazilian butt lift is the better option? If the patient prefers more natural results, a Brazilian butt lift is a great choice. However, some people prefer dramatic results and others just don’t have the body for a BBL. For cases like these, a buttock augmentation is the best treatment.
Brazilian Butt Lift vs Butt Implants: What’s the Difference?
Since voluminous buttocks have slowly garnered attention in recent years, thousands of people are also looking into different options that will give their bodies a desirable shape. With this demand, more clinics and plastic surgeons are offering butt enhancement procedures such as butt lifts and buttock augmentation.
So how are these treatments different? Although both plastic surgery procedures can improve the butt’s appearance, they do it in different ways: butt lifts utilize the patient’s own purified fat injected into the gluteal area while buttock implants use synthetic silicone implants for a rounder bottom.
Depending on the patient’s lifestyle, body, preference, and expectations, one treatment might be better than the other. Since plastic surgery requires the patient’s full commitment, it’s important to consult with an experienced plastic surgeon before making a decision.
Everything to Know About Brazilian Butt Lift
Brazilian butt lift is a popular plastic surgery that provides patients with rounder buttocks. This treatment involves fat grafting from the thighs, hips, and abdomen of the patient and transferring it to their backside. Many patients prefer this treatment among other options because it can contour the body while making the butt look more defined.
How it Works
Here is a step-by-step breakdown of how a Brazilian butt lift is done:
- Anesthesia – Depending on the doctor’s prescription, medications can be administered for the patient’s comfort during the procedure. It can be in the form of general anesthesia or intravenous sedation.
- Liposuction – Small incisions will be made on the areas where the excess fat will be derived from. A cannula will be inserted through the incisions to dislodge the fat. Using a vacuum or syringe attached to the cannula, the fat will be suctioned out of the body. This step is repeated until the surgeon has collected three times the amount of the fat that will be injected into the butt.
- Fat Injection – The derived fat will be processed and purified until it is ready to be injected.
Am I a Good Candidate?
Although it is an effective treatment for many, this procedure may not be for everyone. Patients are considered to be good candidates if they:
- Lost the natural shape because of age or weight loss/gain
- Have enough excess fat in other parts of the body that can be used for grafting
- Are not smokers
- Have a healthy weight
- Have reasonable expectations about the surgery and its results
Costs
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons estimated the average cost of a Brazilian butt lift at $4277. This can still increase with the added costs of the anesthesia, facilities, medication, and other related expenses. The clinic’s location and surgeon’s experience can also affect the final price of a Brazilian butt lift.
Results and Risks
Patients can immediately observe a lift in their buttocks after the procedure. However, the final appearance of the butt can only show 6-12 months after the treatment. This is because the body reabsorbs some of the transferred fat, leaving only 60-80% to remain on the butt permanently. For longer-lasting results, patients are advised to maintain a healthy weight.
As with any cosmetic surgery, BBL is accompanied by minor risks such as pain, scarring, infection, and bleeding. One major concern about this treatment is the possibility of a fat embolism if the surgery is performed incorrectly.
Fat embolism is a fatal condition where fat enters the vessel, blocking the blood flow. To prevent this, surgeons are advised to carefully inject the fat into the subcutaneous tissue and not the muscles around the gluteal area. The current mortality rate from BBL is 1 in 3000 patients.
Everything to Know About Butt Implants
Butt implants, or also known as butt augmentation, works similarly to breast augmentation: a synthetic device, usually solid silicone implants, are placed on the treatment area to give it a desirable shape. What makes this plastic surgery preferable for others is that they can choose the size of the implants.
How it Works
Buttock augmentation is completed in four steps:
- Anesthesia – Like most surgical procedures, the doctor will administer medication before starting. It can be in the form of general anesthesia or intravenous sedation.
- Incision – Once the anesthesia has taken effect, incisions will be created on different parts of the buttocks.
- Implant Placement – Silicone butt implants will be inserted in the muscle or above the gluteal muscle. The positions of the implants will depend on the patient’s degree of desired enlargement and body type.
- Closing the Incisions – Layered sutures will be utilized to close the tissues near the buttock implants. As for the incisions made on the skin, surgical tape or skin adhesive will be used.
Am I a Good Candidate?
Even with butt implants rising in popularity, this treatment may not be suited for everyone. For a patient to be qualified, they must:
- Have lost some of the butt’s natural shape because of weight loss
- Feel that their butt’s natural shape is too flat
- Think that an implant can balance out the body shape
- Lead a healthy lifestyle
- Be a nonsmoker
Costs
Patients will have to spend at least $5004 for successful surgery using buttock implants. This can change depending on the fees for anesthesia, facilities, medication, and other similar expenses. The exact rate will also depend on the surgeon’s experience and the clinic’s location.
Results and Risks
With butt augmentation, patients can observe a significantly plumper bottom. However, it might take several months before they could get used to living with implants in their body. The results can also last for several years.
Aside from the minor risks that typically accompany surgical procedures, patients who chose butt implants may also experience implant shift or breakage. For such cases, an additional procedure will be required to correct the asymmetry or replace the implant.
Choosing the Right Butt Enhancement Procedure
| Brazilian Butt Lift | Butt Implants | |
| Procedure | A two-part procedure that uses the patient’s own purified fat to give the buttocks a subtle lift. | The surgeon will create incisions around the gluteal area and insert FDA-approved synthetic implants. |
| Average Cost | $4277 | $5004 |
| Results | Patients will immediately notice natural-looking results, but it might take 6-12 months before the final shape of the buttocks show. Around 60-80% of the transferred fat will remain on the buttocks forever. | The butt augmentation can show dramatic results that will last for several years. It might take a couple of months before the patients get used to the feeling of implants. |
| Major Risk/Complication | If performed incorrectly by an inexperienced surgeon, patients are at risk of fat embolism. | In some cases, implants might break or shift after the procedure. Additional surgery is required to correct the asymmetry or replace the implant. |
Depending on your lifestyle and expectations, the surgeon might recommend a specific treatment to reshape the butt. Patients who are looking for a natural-looking butt lift can opt for a BBL, while those who prefer adding significant volume to their butts can choose butt augmentation.
Whichever treatment you pick, make sure to get them from a board-certified plastic surgeon who has plenty of experience. That way, you can enjoy long-lasting results and minimal risks.
Explore Butt Enhancement Options at Ethos Spa
Here at Ethos Spa, we offer our clients different alternatives to surgical butt enhancement procedures that are guaranteed to be just as effective. With our expert staff and state-of-the-art facilities, we can help you achieve different body goals.
Consult with our board-certified plastic surgeons now about the butt enhancement procedure that will work best for you. Call us now to set up your first appointment.
Learn more: How Long Do Non-Surgical Bum Lifts Last?
