Butt augmentation procedures are getting trendy and popular. Despite their popularity, they’re largely misunderstood. The general belief is that butt augmentation is one single procedure called by different terms.
Not really, though! Options for butt enhancement include several procedures ranging from Brazilian butt lift (BBL) to implants and injections. But, what’s a better choice for you between butt injections vs bbl? Read on to find out.
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A Brazilian Butt Lift Isn’t Butt Implants: Butt Injections vs BBL
Brazilian butt lift is often mistaken for other butt augmentation procedures such as implants and injections.
Even though Brazilian butt lift is often considered a different term for implants, these procedures are not the same. You see, a Brazilian butt lift is a fat transfer procedure that uses a patient’s body fat obtained through liposuction and injects it into their butt. On the flip side, butt implants are “foreign” objects or medical devices implanted into the body.
Related: How Much is a BBL?
The implants are usually made of silicone. It can withstand stress and pressure without becoming misshapen. Just like breast implants, butt implants come in different shapes and sizes. Compared to butt implants, Brazilian butt lift gives more natural results.
It is also essential to mention butt injections are not the same thing as Brazilian butt lift either. While BBL makes your back look stunning using fat, the injections insert dermal filler into the butt. Butt injections are less invasive, but Brazilian butt lift gives more noticeable and natural results.
Brazilian Butt Lift vs. Sculptra Butt Lift
As seen above, a Brazilian butt lift is a type of butt augmentation procedure where a patient’s fat is inserted into their buttocks for a natural rounded appearance. Sculptra is also a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure, but it uses fillers, unlike BBL, which relies on a patient’s fat.
Sculptra Butt Lift
You see, Sculptra is a type of dermal filler, but it works differently than the other dermal fillers. Instead of adding volume immediately, Sculptra uses a poly-l-lactic acid inserted deep into the skin layers. The acid jumpstarts the natural collagen production in the body.
Collagen gives your skin its shape and structure. Sculptra injections fill the area underneath the butt and help you achieve a curved, naturally-looking shape. It takes from several weeks to a few months to build collagen. That means a patient may need multiple injections to enhance the shape and volume of the buttocks.
Ideal candidates for Sculptra are patients 25 to 45 years old and have good overall health. You should also have a healthy body weight and have reasonable goals and expectations.
Sculptra is primarily used on the face, and the use of these dermal fillers in the buttocks is considered off-label by FDA. In some cases, Sculptra is considered to use alongside BBL for maximum volume enhancement. While Sculptra is generally safe, some side effects may occur, including injection site reactions like pain, bruising redness, and swelling.
Some patients may experience itching and heat sensations—the reactions on the injection site last between 3 to 17 days. Brazilian butt lift may also come with specific adverse reactions, including scarring, infection, pain, fat embolism, loss of skin in the treated areas due to deep infection.
The biggest advantage of Sculptra is that it’s a non-surgical butt augmentation option. For that reason, it doesn’t carry the risk of post-surgical side effects, including infection of incisions. The non-invasive procedure requires no downtime, while the Brazilian butt lift does.
Related: How To Lose Inner Thigh Fat Overnight?
Brazilian Butt Lift
On the other hand, Sculptra Brazilian butt lift will give you more dramatic results since the surgeon can obtain fat from your body. Results of Sculptra are more subtle.
When choosing between the two procedures, it’s useful to consider the amount of excess fat you have just like you do for butt injections vs bbl. If you don’t have much fat storage, your surgeon may recommend Sculptra as a more convenient option. On the flip side, if you have a sufficient amount of excess fat, you may benefit more from a Brazilian butt lift.
Another thing to consider is how much enhancement you want in the buttocks. If you wish to just a subtle increase in the shape of your buttocks, Sculptra is a good option. But, if you need more pronounced augmentation, BBL is a better fit.
Your schedule also plays a role in the decision-making process. Do you have enough time to take from work for BBL-related recovery? Generally speaking, Sculptra has a much shorter recovery, and patients return to work and other activities the next day. With Sculptra, you also don’t have to worry about how you sit or sleep.
Both types of procedures have their advantages. It all comes down to desired results and how much fat you have on the body.
Upgrading your backside with butt implants or a BBL
Patients, usually women, consider upgrading their backside with butt implants or BBL for many reasons. The first and most common reason is that our backside changes as we get older, like everything else on the body. The aging process reduces skin elasticity and weakens muscle mass. This is particularly common in women. The butt eventually loses its perkiness, and they want to improve its size and shape.
Besides the natural aging process, people also decide to upgrade their backside for other reasons as well. For example, you may choose to get butt implants or a Brazilian butt lift to enhance the size of your naturally small buttocks. Small butt usually makes jeans and other clothes look baggy and loose.
Related: How Much Is A Tummy Tuck?
Yet another common reason people upgrade the backside with implants or BBL is a dramatic weight loss. Losing a significant amount of weight can make the buttocks look saggy and flat.
Make the body looks more proportional is another major reason behind choosing between butt injections vs bbl.
The choice of implants or BBL depends on your needs and other factors. We will discuss the choice between the two procedures in the section below.
Should I choose butt implants or a Brazilian Butt Lift?
Choosing the type of butt augmentation is not something you should do in a rush. The best thing to do is learn more about all kinds of butt enhancement, their pros and cons, and whether they could help you achieve your desired goals.
During the consultation with a board-certified cosmetic surgeon, you can ask all questions you may have and address your concerns about butt injections vs bbl. Based on your goals and other factors, the plastic surgeon will recommend the best type of surgical procedure in your case.
Regardless of the procedure you choose, butt implants or Brazilian butt lifts, you need to expect some downtime. You will not be able to sit directly on your bottom for a few weeks after the procedure. The length of recovery depends on the type of butt augmentation you choose.
Butt implant surgery and Brazilian butt lift alike have their specific pros and cons that you need to weigh before making the final decision.
Why Should You Choose Brazilian Butt Lift?
The main advantage of Brazilian butt lift is that it gives a patient a natural look and feel. Compared to other procedures, including butt implants, BBL has a lower risk of complications such as capsular contracture that implants carry.
Since BBL uses a patient’s fat as a fat injection, there is no risk of toxicity and allergic reaction. Additionally, BBL involves liposuction, meaning it can sculpt other body parts, including thighs and stomachs. A Brazilian butt lift is not the most suitable procedure for persons who don’t have enough body fat stores.
Remember, the surgeon needs to obtain enough fat from other body parts through liposuction and transfer it to the butt. So, if you don’t have a sufficient quantity of excess fat, you may not be a good candidate for this procedure. Also, bear in mind the body will absorb 20% to 30% of transferred fat.
Why Should You Choose Brazilian Implant?
The biggest advantage of butt implants is that they give you permanent and dramatic results. If you want a significant change in the shape and size of your buttocks, butt implants are a good choice.
However, it is useful to bear in mind butt implants are a more invasive surgery that will require extended recovery. There is also a higher risk of complications and allergic reactions with implants since the foreign object is inserted into your body.
While the right decision may vary from person to person, BBL is generally more suitable for many patients. Not only is the procedure less invasive, but it also gives natural results. Plus, Brazilian butt lift provides a more sculpted appearance.
How Long Does a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) Last?
Results of Brazilian butt lifts are semi-permanent and may last a few years. Between 70% and 80% of grafted fat survives after a Brazilian but lift surgery. That means some patients may need multiple procedures to achieve desired results and goals.
Fat cells removed during liposuction won’t return to that area from which they were obtained. Additionally, fat cells that survive can last for several years. That being said, significant fluctuations in weight can affect the outcomes. To maintain a long-lasting outcome of BBL, you need to maintain a stable weight.
Results of BBL are usually visible in six months post-op, once the swelling goes away. You expect an improvement in lower body proportions and the way your clothes fit. The quality of BBL and the duration of results also depend a lot on the surgeon you choose. For that reason, it is crucial to choose a reputable surgeon. Adhere to the instructions you receive after the surgery and adopt healthy lifestyle habits. Lifestyle and physical activity levels can influence the results of BBL too.
FAQ
Which butt surgery is better?
It would be difficult to pinpoint one butt surgery between butt injections vs bbl and claim it is better than the other. The reason is simple, each type of butt surgery has its strengths and weaknesses. Butt injections could be a better option for subtle results, while implants are more suitable for dramatic or significant changes in the shape of the butt.
Keep in mind injections are temporary while implants have permanent results. The best thing to do is to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon who will recommend the best type of butt augmentation for your needs and goals.
How much do buttock injections cost?
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost of butt augmentation with fat grafting in 2020 was $4807. The cost of butt implants was around $5278, and buttock lift cost $5482.
The average cost of Sculptra fillers is around $5000. The overall cost depends on the number of vials of dermal filler necessary for the procedure. The average price of one vial is $915. In most cases, four to 10 vials are needed for the procedure.
Generally speaking, buttock enhancement procedure costs include surgeon’s fees, anesthesia fees, hospital or surgical facility costs, medical tests, post-surgery garments, special pillows required for recovery, and prescriptions for medications. The average cost reports usually report the surgeon’s fee only.
How long do butt injections last?
The length of the effects of the procedure may vary from one patient to another. In most cases, butt injections last up to two years, but they can last up to four years in the best-case scenario. Buttock fillers may need topping up within a year in some patients to maintain results. Subsequent treatment usually requires less filler.
Factors that influence the duration of results of butt injections include your adherence to surgeon-provided instructions during recovery, physical activity levels, diet, and the surgeon’s expertise.
Conclusion
As seen throughout this post, Brazilian butt lift and other procedures have their pros and cons. In the end, the decision comes down to your goals and other factors, including how much excess fat you have on the body.
Get informed about each procedure and find a reputable surgeon who will recommend the best approach between butt injections vs bbl. Keep in mind any butt augmentation procedure you choose requires lifestyle changes. To maintain your results and get the most of it, you need to eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly.
