What is a BBL (Brazilian Butt Lift)? Benefits, Costs, & More

Brazilian butt lifts (BBLs) have gained massive popularity in the past couple of years. Celebrity influencers and social media have made BBLs mainstream, and now many women are looking into the procedure for themselves. But what is a BBL? Here are some helpful things to know.

What is a BBL?

BBL is short for Brazilian Butt Lift, a cosmetic procedure where doctors use fat grafting to transfer fat from other areas of the body to your backside. BBLs are an alternative to butt implants. They are a permanent procedure to create a rounder, fuller bottom.¹

Cost for BBL

On average, BBL surgery costs around $4,800, whereas butt implants average cost is around $5,280.² Because Brazilian butt lifts are a cosmetic procedure and not medically necessary, they are not usually covered by health insurance.

6 Benefits of a Brazilian Butt Lift

Brazilian butt lifts are a popular choice when it comes to butt augmentation because they provide some great benefits, including:¹

• Enhancing the shape and volume of buttocks in a natural-looking way
• Reducing fat in stomach, hips, lower back, and thighs
• Balancing upper and lower body proportions
• Creating an hourglass figure
• Improving how clothes fit
• Filling in dips or dimples in the hips or butt

What Happens During BBL Surgery?

BBL Surgery happens in two parts: liposuction and augmentation. First, your surgeon will use a small vacuum-like tube (liposuction) to remove fat from areas of your body like your stomach, lower back, hips, and thighs. Then they inject the fat into your buttocks through three to five incisions to enhance the size and shape.³

Usually, your doctor will perform BBL surgery while you're under anesthesia. However, in some cases, the procedure may be done by injecting numbing medication in your backside while you're awake.¹

Candidates for BBL Surgery

People of all shapes and sizes may qualify for a BBL, but if you are very thin or have a high BMI, your doctor may have special recommendations about how to move forward.⁴

Chances are you're a good candidate if you:⁴

• Are looking for a surgical option to improve the appearance of and contour your butt
• Have lost the shape of your backside due to age or weight loss
• Want a natural look and feel
• Don't desire implants and associated risks
• Have fat stored in your hips and other areas that can be relocated to your buttocks

Butt Implants vs BBLs vs Traditional Butt Lifts

There are a few key differences between a Brazilian butt lift, a traditional butt lift, and silicone butt implants. We've listed some key differences below:

Brazilian butt lift¹

• Small incisions (minimally invasive)
• Adds to volume to buttock
• Biologically compatible with your body
• Enhances more than just the butt by removing fat from other areas
• Natural-looking
• May be best if you're looking to add volume without implants

Traditional butt lift⁵

• Small incisions (minimally invasive)
• Doesn't add volume to the buttocks
• Smooths sagging skin
• Lifts muscle
• Natural-looking
• May be best if you're looking for a lift without adding volume

Silicone butt implants¹

• Larger incisions (invasive)
• Silicone implants inserted
• Risk of butt implant shifting
• Can range from natural-looking to artificial
• May be best if you have very little body fat to transfer to the buttocks

How Long Does a BBL Last?

Unlike derma fillers, a Brazilian butt lift can last for several years. Because the grafted fat is taken from your own body, it will grow and shrink as you lose weight.

It can also take up to six months for the injected fat to properly attach (graft) to the existing fat. How well you take care of yourself and follow your doctor's instructions can impact how long the BBL lasts.³

Brazilian Butt Lift Recovery

After BBL surgery, you'll need to closely follow your doctor's advice to protect your new backside. This will likely include the following recommendations for faster BBL recovery:⁴

• Sleeping on your side or stomach
• Standing for all activities except briefly using the toilet
• Limited activity for at least a week
• Taking over the counter pain medication if needed

Brazilian Butt Lift Risks

As with any type of procedure, a Brazilian but lift has some side effects and risks, including:

• Bruising
• Infection
• Changes to skin color or sensitivity
• Swelling

The most serious risk with Brazilian butt lifts is if an inexperienced surgeon goes too deep into the butt muscle, it can dislodge fat that moves quickly to the heart, which can be fatal. For this reason, be sure to do your research and choose an experienced plastic surgeon who is implementing the recommendations from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.⁶

Are BBLs Reversible?

Yes, for the most part. The fat that is added to the buttock to create volume can be removed with liposuction. However, that fat can't really be added back to wherever it was first taken.⁷

BBLs can also be revised to correct irregularities or issues. So, if you have a BBL but you aren't happy with the results, Brazilian butt lift revision surgery may be worth looking into.

3 Brazilian Butt Lift Alternatives

If you appreciate the look of a BBL but, you aren't ready to have the procedure just yet, there a few options for you to consider:⁸

1. Liposuction

Rather than adding volume, a surgeon can help you achieve an illusion of volume by using liposuction to remove fat from your waist, thighs, and lower tummy and lower back. Strategically removing the fat in this way can help emphasize your butt.

2. Sculptra®

When properly injected into the butt, dermal fillers like Sculptra® can create roundness and fullness. Be sure to see a reputable provider who is using medical grade dermal fillers.

3. Emsculpt®

If you're looking for something completely noninvasive, Emsculpt® can help define and improve the appearance of your butt by rapidly building up the muscle to lift and smooth.

Financing a BBL With the CareCredit Credit Card

Ready to revitalize your appearance and boost your confidence? The CareCredit credit card makes it easy to pay for BBLs and related expenses not covered by health insurance.* Use our Acceptance Locator to find a doctor or cosmetic surgeon near you that accepts CareCredit so you can stop dreaming and start living your best life. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your CareCredit account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

In addition to cosmetic procedures, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for dentistry, pet care, vision, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Author Bio

Kristin Driver is a Digital Writer with Synchrony. She specializes in writing about health care, finances, and pet care. Her work has been published by Cedars-Sinai, UCLA Health, Stanford Health Care, Risk & Insurance, Modern Health Care, Risk Insider, CIO Review, and more.