A celebrity-inspired procedure, the Brazilian Butt Lift is one of the fastest growing cosmetic surgeries in the United States. There are two options that women can choose from – butt implants and fat transfer (aka Brazilian butt lift). In recent years, BBL surgery in NYC has become a favored option as it provides natural enhancement using the patient’s own fat. When comparing a Brazilian butt lift to butt implants, safety is an important factor to consider before making a decision. Choosing between Brazilian butt lift vs. butt implants is important for those seeking fuller curves. The decision depends on safety, recovery, and desired results.
Brazilian Butt Lift vs Butt Implants
One question that most patients ask their plastic surgeon is: which is safer, BBL or butt implants, leading to discussions about procedure safety, recovery, and long-term results.
Before BBL was introduced, butt implants were used to help patients enhance the appearance of their buttocks. Butt implants are artificial devices surgically placed in the buttocks to create volume in the area, but come with potential risks, such as infections and delayed healing. Aside from infection, there is a risk that the implants may leak or deflate, resulting in a range of problems. Other risks include implant displacement and capsular contracture. These butt implant complications can occur regardless of following post-surgical instructions, and displacement may require additional surgery or removal of the implants. Butt implants are a foreign object that are not permanent as no implant comes with lifetime warranty. You will have to go in for replacement surgery at some point in your life.
Today, BBL owes much of its popularity to the fact that it uses the patient’s own fat to provide the desired enhancement. Many women dislike having foreign material inserted into their body, and for them, BBL provides the solution. Buttock augmentation with fat grafting involves removing fat from one area of the body and injecting it into the buttocks to enhance contour. BBL is a “dual-benefit” procedure as it enhances the posterior while slimming down the areas from where fat is extracted. As it uses the patient’s own fat, it offers natural-looking results. As your own fat is used, it’s not likely to be rejected. To be a good candidate for this procedure, you should have sufficient fat to harvest from another area of your body, typically the abdomen, flanks or thighs.
Rising Demand for BBL
Buttock augmentation with fat grafting, has seen a steady rise in popularity in recent years. According to the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), there were 29,383 BBL procedures performed in 2023 compared to 28,638 in 2022, marking a 3% increase.
Today, fat transfer buttock augmentation is safer thanks to the invention of the Brazilian butt lift under local anesthesia (BBLULA). Extremely successful as a safer alternative to the traditional technique, BBLULA is a relatively short procedure that allows patients to remain awake throughout the procedure, heal faster, and get back quickly to their normal routine. The ultimate look and natural feel obtained through fat transfer may not be achieved with implant enhancement.
Brazilian Butt Lift vs. Butt Implants: Comparing Safety and Benefits
The advantages of BBL compared to buttock implants include:
- More natural-looking results
- No risks of implant rupture or capsular contracture
- No need for additional future surgical procedures for implant related issues
- Improves the appearance of the donor site
However, this doesn’t mean that BBL surgery comes with no risks. Similar to all cosmetic surgical procedures, it does involve certain risks. If the fat is not injected correctly, it can have devastating consequences for the patient. The efficiency and outcomes of this fat transfer butt augmentation procedure largely depends on the plastic surgeon who performs it. By choosing a plastic surgeon who is specialized in the procedure, you can go ahead confidently without worrying about BBL safety risks. Leading AAAASF-accredited practices offering butt augmentation with fat transfer in Manhattan, NYC, provide the services of such skilled surgeons.
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