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Butt Implants vs. The Brazilian Butt Lift – What’s The Difference?

Written by WD Staff, Skin Care Specialists on March 31, 2014 17 Comments

brazilian butt lift image

In recent years cosmetic surgery to enhance the buttocks (butt augmentation) has become very popular, especially with popular culture being influenced by the behinds of celebrities like Jennifer Lopez.

The two most popular techniques used for butt augmentation are: butt implants and butt lift augmentation through fat transfer (also known as the Brazilian Butt Lift):

What are butt implants?

Butt implants (also called gluteal implants) are silicone implants that can be placed to add volume to the buttocks. Butt implants are either round or oval (anatomical) in shape and feature either smooth or textured surfaces, much like a breast implant. The most common butt implants are filled with solid silicone, which is a highly durable material that resists rupturing, spilling, and deflating from exposure to pressure. Durability is extremely important as butt implants experience some amount of pressure with sitting or lying on one’s back.

Butt Augmentation with Butt Implants

Depending on the patient’s body type, the butt augmentation procedure begins with the surgeon either making an incision in the crease in the crease between the buttocks. The surgeon then creates a pocket for the implant, which can be placed either above or within the gluteus maximus muscle. After the implant is placed the incision is closed with sutures. Sometimes drains are placed to allow small amounts of blood to be evacuated during the first week after surgery. Depending on the patient, liposuction can be used to enhance the final shape of adjacent areas such as the flanks and hips.

Butt Augmentation through Fat Transfer (Brazilian Butt Lift)

As long as the patient has sufficient fat stores somewhere else on her body, a Brazilian Butt Lift may be an excellent option. The Brazilian Butt Lift is a fat transfer procedure which uses a patient’s own fat to enhance the butt. A surgeon harvests the fat from the abdomen, thighs, back, and flanks areas using a cannula in a liposuction procedure. The fat particles are purified and injected into the fatty and muscle layers to add the desired volume.

Fat transfer procedures are limited, however, by survival of the fat.  Some of the implanted fat cells do not survive and are reabsorbed and removed by the body’s immune system.  This limits the amount of augmentation possible in a single procedure. Occasionally though, more than one fat transfer procedure may be required to deliver the results the patient seeks.

If you are considering buttock augmentation, please contact us today for more information and a free consultation.

 


WD Staff

A united group of skin care specialists from Westlake Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery, Austin's leader in Dermatology and Plastic Surgery. Articles posted under WD staff are authored through combined contributions from our entire team, including Plastic Surgeons, Dermatologists, Aestheticians, Physician Assistants, Aesthetic Nurses, and Patient Coordinators.


17 Responses to “Butt Implants vs. The Brazilian Butt Lift – What’s The Difference?”

  1. Avatar Steven says:

    Interesting post! I was unaware of the issues with the implants no wonder why i see a lot about Brazilian butt lift

  2. WD Staff WD Staff says:

    Hi Sloan, basically it would all depend on your body type. If there is insufficient fat available for harvest an implant would have to be utilized. Would you want to come in for a free assessment?

  3. Avatar Trish says:

    There’s definitely a debate on this subject. I really like all of the points you’ve made.

  4. Avatar Tammie says:

    I’m in the military. I have had six kids and I want to improve my body. I want a Brizillian but lift, possible mini tummy tuck and breast augmintation. I’m 45 years old and I’m ready for my old body back.

  5. Avatar Nora says:

    That makes sense that a butt implant is under a lot of pressure. The Brazilian butt implant uses real fat, so there’s no risk of rupture or anything. The nice thing is that they take the fat from other places in your body, so it’s a win-win in my opinion. If I decided to do this, I’d probably go with the second option.

  6. Avatar Susie says:

    What if you are petite in size how do you go about doing a Brazilian butt lift

    • WD Staff WD Staff says:

      Hi Susie, you bring up a great point. Unfortunately petite individuals may not have enough fat and tissue for a Brazilian butt lift. In those cases an implant would have to be used. The good news is there are ways to minimize potential issues with using implants.

      If you are petite but still interested in augmentation through an implant we would encourage you to see a board certified plastic surgeon for a consultation. Make sure to ask your surgeon about ways to prevent some of the problems we discussed in the above post.

      Thanks again for reading!

      –WD Staff

  7. Avatar Gracy says:

    I’ve done some research and see other articles like this that advise against butt implants, makes sense to me. I’m still thinking about a fat transfer procedure or the like

  8. Avatar Darlene says:

    This info is priceless. Where can I find out more?

  9. Avatar Bri says:

    I truly appreciate this blog post. Keep writing.

  10. Avatar Tisha says:

    In the hands of an experienced surgeon the brazilian butt lift technique provide great results. Implants will not work as well to improve the contour of your hip IMO

  11. Avatar Tom says:

    Sound arguments. Keep up the great work!

  12. Avatar Angel says:

    Hi. What if? If u have a silicon oil injection in ur hips and butt what will happen? Am i still allowed to have the brazillian butt lift surgery even though i have the silicone oil injection to my body? Because i am really interested on that surgery. And is theres any other options If BBL surgery Is not allowed on me?. I hope u answers all my questions thank u.

    • WD Staff WD Staff says:

      Hi Angel,

      Thanks for reading our post and submitting your great question. In this situation your candidacy will depend on several factors like how long ago you received the injection and the current characteristics of the area. Unfortunately to get the best answer you’ll have to see a surgeon for an in-person analysis. If you are in the Austin area please give us a call to setup a consultation!

      Thanks,
      WD Staff

  13. Avatar Leah says:

    Hi .. which procedure is harder on your body ; as far as recovery ? Thanks ..

    • WD Staff WD Staff says:

      Hi Leah,

      Thanks for reading our post and submitting your great question! While recovery and healing differ from person to person, augmentation through butt implants is usually requires a longer recovery time as it is more invasive. However, for many butt implants does provide a more dramatic result.

      Hope that helps!

      Thanks,
      WD Staff

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