BBL vs. butt implants: Which is best for you?

Breaking down the benefits and differences between both butt augmentation procedures 

Thanks to celebrities like Beyonce, Kim Kardashian and J-Lo, bigger butts have been having a serious moment in recent years. And many women who aren’t naturally blessed with a voluptuous behind decide to enhance what they were born with by getting one of two butt augmentation procedures: a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) or butt implants.  

While both procedures add volume to the bottom, there are important differences. One of the main ones is that a BBL involves using your own body fat as filler for more natural, lasting results, whereas butt implants are made of silicone. In this article, we’ll discuss why BBL surgery is the treatment we perform exclusively at Squlpt, and we’ll explore the pros and cons of both approaches to help you choose the best option for you.

While both procedures are designed to add volume to the bottom, there are important differences. The main one is that BBL surgery uses your own body fat as filler, whereas butt implants are made of silicone. In this article, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of both BBL surgery and butt implants to help you choose the best option for you.

What is a BBL?

In 1960, a surgeon named Ivo Pitanguy founded the world’s first plastic surgery training center in Brazil, where he pioneered what became known as the Brazilian Butt Lift and taught surgeons around the globe how to perform his technique.

The now-iconic butt augmentation procedure involves transferring unwanted body fat from places like the love handles, tummy and thighs, and transferring it to the buttocks, hips and thighs to create a more curvaceous, hourglass shape. Let’s take a look at the pros and potential downsides of BBL surgery: 

Pros of a BBL

• Natural look and feel. Because BBL surgery uses your own body fat instead of implants to add volume, the “after” look is natural and seamless. At SqulptⓇ, we offer two BBL options to complement all body shapes, sizes and goals. With Petite BBL™, we fill and firm the bottom while staying close to what you were born with. With XL BBLⓇ, we expand the bottom beyond its current size for dramatically bigger but still natural-looking results.
• Benefits beyond the butt. With a BBL, unwanted fat is transferred from other areas of the body, so you get the added benefit of a flatter tummy or slimmer thighs. At SqulptⓇ, we transfer the fat to the bottom as well as the hips and thigh line for a beautifully balanced and perfectly proportioned look.
• All gain, less pain. With butt implant surgery, there is a higher risk of suffering sciatica, which is when there’s pain along the sciatic nerve that starts in your lower back and down each leg.   At SqulptⓇ, we use an innovative technology called SoftSqulptⓇ to perform both our Petite BBL™ and XL BBLⓇ procedures. This method utilizes tiny precision instruments and smooth vibration for a safer, less invasive experience with minimal discomfort. 
• No general anesthesia. One of the biggest upsides of BBL surgery is that it is performed awake, so you can skip the risks and stress of going under.
• Fast recovery. Thanks to our safe and gentle SoftSqulptⓇ technology, and because we perform our BBL procedures awake, you’re set up for a fast and seamless recovery.
• Lasting results. Unlike butt implants, which typically last 10-15 years before they need replacing, BBL surgery uses your own body fat as filler so the results are permanent with less complications, even though they may not be apparent within the first few months. With SoftSqulptⓇ, we permanently remove the fat cells used for transfer, which means they’ll never come back. So your new look will be yours to keep.

Cons of a BBL

• Not for everybody. If you’re extremely slim with very little body fat, you may not be a candidate for BBL surgery. However, at SqulptⓇ, we developed two BBL options for exactly this reason, giving almost all women the opportunity to augment and enhance their bottom. Our Petite BBL™ treatment is designed to accentuate the shape of the bottom while staying close to its current size, while our XL BBLⓇ adds higher volumes of fat for a dramatically bigger, voluptuous look.
• Higher risk. BBL surgery was once considered one of the riskiest cosmetic procedures. But thanks to innovations like SoftSqulptⓇ, and advanced knowledge and experience, that is no longer the case. SqulptⓇ founder Dr. Daniel Suissa is a world-leading authority on BBL safety, and his work and findings have helped improve the safety standards of BBLs not only at SqulptⓇ, but in plastic surgery practices around the globe.
• Too little fat transferred. Around 30% of the body fat transferred during BBL surgery is naturally absorbed by the body in the first six weeks. Our approach at SqulptⓇ, takes this into account. We add extra fat so that once everything settles, you’ll be left with your goal look without having to come back for a second procedure.

What are butt implants? 

Butt implants are designed to enhance the size and shape of the buttocks. The implants are typically filled with silicone and, like breast implants, come in a range of shapes and sizes depending on your body type and goals. The implants are placed over or under your buttock muscles through incisions that are hidden between the butt cheeks.

While BBL surgery involves transferring fat to the buttocks, hips and thighs, butt implants are only placed in the buttocks. Butt implant procedures are performed under general anesthesia, and most require replacement at some point in the future. Here are some of the pros and cons of butt implants.

Pros of Butt Implants

• Anyone can get them. Butt implants can be a viable option for people with a smaller, leaner frame who don’t have enough extra fat for a BBL fat transfer.  But if you’re looking for a more natural look, BBL may be the better solution.

• All shapes and sizes. Because silicone butt implants come in a wide range of sizes, they allow you to expand your bottom dramatically beyond its current size.

• Long-lasting results. The results of butt implants can last for several years and, in some cases, may be permanent.

• Predictable outcome. Butt implants are pre-shaped, which allows for a more predictable outcome and better control of the final shape.

Cons of Butt Implants

• Less natural look and feel. Compared to BBLs that use your own body fat, butt implants can look disproportionate and overdone, and feel less natural to the touch. It’s also common to see the outline of the implant through the skin.
• Increased risks. Unlike BBL surgery, butt implants require general anesthesia, which significantly increases the chance of surgical and post-surgical complications.
• Longer recovery time. The methods and tools used to place butt implants are far more invasive, which can lead to a significantly longer and more painful recovery. You can expect to return to work in 2-3 weeks, compared to 3-10 days with BBL surgery. And you generally have to wait 8-10 weeks to start exercising after surgery, compared to 4-6 weeks with a BBL.
• Implants may rupture or shift. Butt implants rarely last for life and can rupture or shift over time. So additional surgery may be needed to remove or replace the implants.
• Risk of allergic reaction or rejection. Since butt implants are made of silicone, which is a foreign substance, there is a risk of an allergic reaction. Your body can also reject the implants, unlike with BBL surgery that uses your own body fat as filler.

BBL vs. butt implants:

Hopefully we’ve shed some light on the advantages and disadvantages of both butt implants and BBL surgery to help you reach the right decision for you. At Squlpt,  we are a proudly Silicone-Free Zone®, which means we avoid implants, including butt implants, altogether. We believe fat is the body’s natural filler and the best, safest way to achieve beautiful results that last.

If you’re looking to give your bottom and self-confidence a boost, book your free consultation today and make your body goals a reality.

Need some inspo? Check out these BBL stories from our body confident community.