Is a BBL Safer Than Butt Implants?

If you are researching whether a Brazilian butt lift (BBL) is safer than implants for a more rounded and shapelier butt, you are probably drowning in information and possibly misinformation! There has been a lot of buzz around BBL safety and the potential for dire consequences. As with any cosmetic surgery procedure, a BBL carries some risk, which is why it needs to be performed by an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon.

At Pure Plastic Surgery, we stand by our BBL safety record. President of the World Association of Gluteal Surgeons, Dr. Earle is at the forefront of BBL surgical techniques, employing ultrasound technology for this procedure so you can enjoy a safe, successful outcome.

Dr. Earle has safely performed many ultrasound-guided BBL procedures, and our team is well-qualified to answer all your BBL and implant surgery questions. In this blog post, we’ll compare buttock augmentation procedures so you can separate the BBL myths from the facts.

How Do Butt Implants Work?

During butt implant surgery, a plastic surgeon places silicone-filled implants deep within the buttock tissue to create volume in that area. The implants are inserted via an incision made between the buttocks. This procedure can take up to several hours and has a 2- to 3-week recovery period.

Butt implants are relatively safe but have a fairly high rate of complications. A 2019 study of gluteal augmentation procedures found that butt implants had the highest rate of complications at 31.4%. Some of these complications may involve the incisions separating, which can lead to infection and permanent scarring. There is also a risk of the implants shifting and settling in the wrong place. You can read more about potential complications associated with butt implants on Healthline. 

How Does Ultrasound-Guided BBL Work?

When performing this procedure, Dr. Earle uses liposuction to remove excess fat from the patient’s body; he then injects that fat into the buttocks to add volume and shape. The fat deposits are typically harvested from the lower back, thighs, abdomen, and flanks. Because complications can arise from fat being injected into a muscle or blood vessels, Dr. Earle uses ultrasound imaging to view the area in order to inject the fat safely.

Learn more about the benefits of ultrasound-guided BBL in this previous blog.

Reasons To Choose a BBL Over Butt Implants

While you should make the best choice for you based on your goals, BBL offers many advantages over butt implants. Some of these benefits include:

Natural-Looking Results

Since a BBL uses your own fat deposits to add volume, you will achieve softer and more natural-looking results. Butt implants can sometimes look obvious and disproportionate to the rest of your body.

No Implant Displacement

Butt implants present a risk of the implants shifting inside your body and causing discomfort. Keep in mind that your buttocks are involved in many activities, such as walking, driving, and exercising. This constant movement can cause implant displacement.

Less Potential for Infection

Butt implant incisions are significantly larger than BBL incisions. Any procedure that requires extensive incisions has the potential for infection. During your BBL procedure, your plastic surgeon only needs to insert a cannula to introduce fat to your buttocks, so the incision is very small.

When opting for a BBL, you need a plastic surgeon that understands your goals and will handle your procedure with the utmost care and skill. Check out some of our successful BBL results in these before and after photos. Please call us at (305) 230-4326 to schedule an appointment if you’re interested in adding volume and shape to your buttocks.