What is Better, BBL or Implants?

BBL or implants have become a topic that many people are curious about. Body contouring operations in aesthetic surgery have become very popular today. Two main methods stand out among these operations to significantly eliminate aesthetic concerns in the butt area. These are BBL (Brazilian Butt Lift) and butt implants. While both methods allow individuals to achieve a fuller and more shaped butt, they differ in the advantages they offer and the difficulties we compare.

BBL is the process of shaping and volumizing the butts using one’s body fat. In this effective method, specialists transfer fat from another body part to the butts. In the butt implant procedure, on the other hand, specialists surgically insert artificial materials such as silicone into the butts. Both methods have their advantages and potential risks. Therefore, you can determine the most suitable method with experts according to your aesthetic expectations, body structure, and health status.

When choosing between BBL and implants, it is essential to consider the results offered by both methods, possible complications, and the healing process. BBL can stand out a little more because it provides a more natural appearance and is a procedure that specialists perform by taking fat from another part of the body. At the same time, thanks to the fat transfer, the contours where the specialists take fat are vastly improved, and you get a two-way aesthetic improvement. However, the success of BBL largely depends on the capacity of the fat to adapt to its new location and body structure.

Butt implants, conversely, guarantee a specific volume and shape. This procedure doesn’t vary from body to body, like fat transfer. Implants are a suitable option, especially for individuals with insufficient adipose tissue. However, the process by which specialists insert the implants is more invasive. Therefore, this procedure can bring potential risks such as infection.

Cosmetic surgery is a personal journey and requires a tailored approach to each individual’s needs. In this blog, we will look in-depth at the key points to consider when choosing between BBL and implants and both methods’ potential advantages and challenges. Continue reading!

What is a BBL?

BBL, or Brazilian Butt Lift surgery, is one of the plastic surgery procedures that have increased in popularity in recent years. This procedure is an ideal option for individuals who want to achieve a fuller and lifted butt appearance. BBL is a process in which specialists transfer excess fat from other parts of the body to the butt area.

Experts usually perform this procedure by injecting the fat they take from certain parts of the body with the liposuction method into the butt area. Experts’ preferred fat removal areas are the abdomen, waist, back, and thighs. Experts transfer the fat they take to the butt area through a unique process. This process gives the buttocks a fuller and lifted appearance.

One of the most significant benefits of BBL is that it offers a natural appearance. In this procedure, the specialists use the patient’s body fat to shape the butts. This procedure provides a more natural feel and look compared to the use of implants. In addition, the areas where the surgeons remove fat have a firmer and more shaped appearance. This feature provides an additional aesthetic advantage.

However, as with any surgical procedure, this method also has some risks, albeit rare. After the procedure, complications such as infection, bleeding, fat embolism, and asymmetry may occur. For this reason, if you are considering this procedure, you should choose an experienced and expert surgeon. In addition, getting detailed information about what you should pay attention to before and after the procedure will positively affect your recovery process.

The recovery process is usually the most intense in the first few weeks after the procedure. During this period, it is normal to experience pain and swelling. Surgeons typically recommend using unique corsets or bandages to control post-procedure pain and speed healing. You should strictly follow the surgeon’s instructions to affect your recovery positively.

Advantages of BBL Surgery

This procedure is a prevalent cosmetic procedure designed by specialists to improve the shape and size of the butts. The way to understand it is to know its advantages. Here are the advantages of BBL surgery:

Improved butt shape: This procedure improves the contour, shape, and projection of the butts, giving them a more rounded and lifted appearance.
Natural-looking results: In this surgery, specialists use the patient’s fat from other body areas, such as the abdomen, butts, or thighs, resulting in a more natural-looking enhancement than implants.
Body contouring: Besides augmenting the butts, this vital procedure involves specialists removing unwanted fat from donor areas with liposuction. This function improves overall body contouring with a slimmer waistline and enhanced curves.
Minimally invasive: Specialists typically perform this aesthetic procedure using minimally invasive techniques such as liposuction and small incisions for fat transfer. Thus, this practice leads to less scarring and faster recovery times than traditional surgical procedures.
Long-lasting results: The body reabsorbs some fat the specialists transfer, but a significant portion typically survives. This ensures long-lasting results. With proper care and maintenance, you can extend the improvements from this procedure over a long period.
Customizable: Specialists can tailor this method to meet each patient’s goals and preferences. They can adjust the amount of fat they transfer and the areas they target for liposuction to achieve the desired result.
Increased confidence: Many patients experience a massive boost in self-confidence and body image after this surgery, as they feel more satisfied with their butts’ appearance and overall body shape.
Versatility: This unique procedure addresses aesthetic concerns such as flat or sagging buttocks, asymmetry, and lack of volume. You can combine it with other cosmetic procedures such as tummy tuck or breast augmentation to enhance comprehensive body enhancement.
Improved clothing fit: After this surgery, patients often notice that clothes fit better, and they feel more comfortable and confident in swimsuits, jeans, and other form-fitting clothing.
Psychological benefits: Beyond the physical changes, many patients report experiencing psychological benefits such as increased self-esteem and a more positive body image, which can significantly impact their overall quality of life.

What are Butt Implants?

Butt implants or gluteal implants are one of the essential cosmetic surgery procedures that specialists perform to make the butt area appear fuller and more attractive. People usually prefer this procedure to increase butt volume and achieve a rounder shape. Implants are artificial fillings that specialists place in the butt area using synthetic materials such as silicone.

Surgeons generally perform the butt implant operation under general anesthesia. The surgeons make a small incision in the butt fold or the upper part of the butt and insert the implant of their choice into or under the butt muscle. The specialists will predetermine the size and shape of the implant according to your wishes and body structure. After the operation, the surgeon sutures the incisions, and the healing process begins. One of the most significant benefits of this procedure is the immediate and permanent increase in volume.

In addition, implants offer more visible and predictable results than the fat transfer method. This method is ideal for people who don’t have enough body fat or are looking for a more dramatic change. However, as with any surgical procedure, there are potential risks with the butt implant procedure. Complications such as infection, implant displacement, nerve damage, and pain at the operation site can occur, although rarely. You may also need to replace the implants in the long term.

The recovery process is usually most intense in the first few weeks after the operation. Patients may experience pain, swelling, and bruising. Surgeons typically recommend that patients wear unique corsets to support healing and provide comfort. Patients must stay active during the healing process but avoid excessive movement. This unique method is an effective option for people who want to add volume and shape to their butts. It offers instant and permanent results, which makes this method popular.

Advantages of Butt Implants

This method is a unique option for individuals who want to improve the size and shape of their butts. To help you understand the effect of the procedure, here are the advantages of implants:

Increased volume and projection: This method gives the buttocks a significant increase in volume and projection, resulting in a fuller and rounder appearance.
Customizable results: This procedure comes in various shapes, sizes, and materials, allowing for an approach that experts can customize to meet each patient’s aesthetic goals and preferences.
Long-lasting results: Unlike the BBL procedure, which can experience some degree of resorption over time, butt implants offer much more predictable and stable results. Once inserted, the implants retain their shape and volume over the long term.
Improved symmetry: This aesthetic procedure helps improve symmetry for individuals with naturally asymmetrical butts or who have experienced volume loss due to aging or weight fluctuations.
Minimally invasive procedure: Specialists typically make small incisions in this procedure. Then, specialists insert the implants through a pocket they create within the gluteal muscles or under the fascia. Surgeons perform this procedure with minimally invasive techniques. This method will lead to faster recovery and less scarring than traditional surgical approaches.
Improved body proportions: This procedure helps to create a more balanced and proportionate appearance by improving the contours of the hips, waist, and thighs. Thus, many patients experience a significant boost in their self-confidence and body image as they feel more satisfied with the appearance of their butts and overall body shape after this surgery.
Suitable for individuals with insufficient donor fat: This procedure is viable for individuals who don’t have enough excess fat for the BBL procedure or prefer a more pronounced augmentation than fat transfer alone can achieve.
Predictable results: This popular procedure offers predictable results as surgeons can precisely control the implants’ size, shape, and placement to achieve your desired aesthetic result.
Versatility: You can combine this surgical method with other cosmetic procedures, such as liposuction or thigh lift, to achieve comprehensive body contouring and enhancement.

BBL vs Implants: Which is Best?

Here’s what you need to consider when choosing between BBL or implants:

BBL long-term results:

The durability of results: A successful BBL procedure achieves long-lasting results, as specialists permanently transfer a significant portion of the fat into the butts. However, it is common for the body to reabsorb approximately 32-60% of the fat that specialists transfer in the first months after surgery.
Recovery tips: To maintain the improved shape achieved with this procedure, patients should prioritize maintaining a stable and healthy lifestyle. Consistent exercise and a balanced diet are crucial in preserving hip contours. In addition, avoiding significant weight fluctuations is critical to the procedure’s success.

Implants long-term results:

Longevity of implants: Implants manufactured by experts from durable silicone material have a lifespan spanning many years. However, they may require revision or replacement over time due to aging, gravitational effects, and potential changes in body weight.
Recovery tips: Regular follow-up appointments are mandatory to monitor the condition of the implants over time. Patients should immediately report any changes in the shape or feel of the implants to their surgeon. Also, avoiding heavy physical activities that stress the implants excessively will help prolong their lifespan.

Revision surgeries and touch-ups:

BBL revisions: Some people opt for a second BBL procedure to improve or enhance the initial results, mainly if the body has absorbed significant fat after surgery.
Implant revisions: Revision surgeries are necessary if the implants have shifted or become visible or if the patient desires changes in size or shape as their body develops over time.

Safety concerns:

BBL safety: Despite the associated risks, advances in techniques are significantly improving BBL’s safety profile. Specialists’ strict adherence to careful fat injection protocols and avoidance of deep muscle layers significantly reduce potential complications such as fat embolism.
Implant safety: Implants carry inherent risks such as displacement and capsular contracture. Choosing experienced surgeons and carefully following postoperative care instructions are critical to minimize these risks.