For those longing for a larger backside, no body contouring procedure is more sought-after than the Brazilian butt lift. The BBL, despite its risks, provides a means for patients to enhance their rear without resorting to butt implants, a notion that is highly captivating, remarks New York City board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Ryan Neinstein. “It’s astonishing how much people are drawn to the idea of relying on their own fat and redistributing it, without any foreign element involved,” he states. And as per him, the so-called skinny BBL procedure is even more enticing to a wider range of patients and is gaining more popularity than ever. Ahead, more about what the skinny BBL is, how it varies from its conventional counterpart, and who is an ideal candidate.
What is a skinny BBL?
The name stems from both the quantity of fat utilized and a broad categorization of the type of patient undergoing this plastic surgery procedure. “A skinny BBL is a fat transfer process where we extract fat through liposuction of the abdomen and waist and inject that fat into the buttocks,” elucidates Dr. Neinstein. But hold on – isn’t that essentially what a traditional BBL is? Yes, the fundamental concept is the same, yet there are some crucial distinctions.
How is it different from a regular BBL?
“A skinny BBL results in a far more natural-looking outcome,” explains Dr. Johnny Franco, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Austin, Texas. “The aim is to enhance and fine-tune the shape of the buttocks rather than altering the size and creating a huge butt.” Dr. Neinstein concurs: “It delivers a more sporty, perky appearance instead of an overly exaggerated, broad, heart-shaped rear end.”
Ultimately, this comes down to the amount of fat harvested and injected (and the areas of the body from which and into which it is taken and inserted). Dr. Franco mentions that he typically injects anywhere from 1,000cc to 1,300cc of fat per butt cheek during a regular BBL surgery, compared to 600–1000cc per side in a skinny BBL. Dr. Neinstein provides this visual comparison: “In a skinny BBL, the amount of fat I use per butt cheek is equivalent to a can of soda. In a traditional BBL, it’s a large-sized drink.”
Who is a good candidate for a skinny BBL?
“Typically, these are slimmer, leaner patients who might have previously believed they weren’t eligible for fat transfer due to high resorption rates that could render the procedure ineffective,” clarifies Dr. Neinstein. However, new injection techniques have made it possible for even small amounts of fat to have a significant impact, he adds. Dr. Franco notes that patients with a BMI over 23 tend to be suitable candidates for traditional BBLs, while those with a BMI of 20 to 23 are better matched for skinny BBLs.
That being said, you don’t have to be extremely thin to have a desire to slightly enhance your buttocks, remarks Dr. Neinstein. He asserts that a skinny BBL can be performed even on heavier patients and adds that it has become an increasingly favored cosmetic surgery procedure among conservative and older patients seeking subtle shaping of the backside (BBLs can also help fill hip dips). “The original BBL, and even its name, has an implication of an exaggerated, caricature-like look. But now that we can carry out smaller amounts of targeted and refined fat grafting, people are viewing [the skinny BBL] as a method of rejuvenation and a great complement to other procedures, such as a mommy makeover,” he says. “It has broadened the patient group to include moms and grandmothers who don’t necessarily aim to look like Jessica Rabbit but do feel that their butt is deflated and sagging and wish for it to appear lifted and perkier.”
How is a skinny BBL performed?
First and foremost, it’s crucial to discuss your precise goals with your doctor. “With a skinny BBL, you truly need to consider your top priorities. Do you desire a bit more projection? Is the lateral butt the area you want enhanced? With a traditional BBL, you don’t have to make these choices, but since there isn’t much fat to work with in this case, you have to be much more strategic,” points out Dr. Franco.
Traditional BBL liposuction typically takes place on the abdomen and waist, but additional liposuction areas might be necessary in a skinny BBL, especially if the patient is on the leaner side. “When there’s no single area with a significant deposit of fat, we have to perform liposuction in more areas, extracting smaller amounts of fat from each,” explains Dr. Neinstein, who mentions that he usually lipos not only the abdomen and waist but also the inner and outer thighs. Dr. Franco agrees, stating that he sometimes takes fat from the arms as well and liposculpts the bottom of the butt, the latter of which offers the added advantage of making a substantial difference in the overall shape. A skinny BBL typically demands much more targeted and precise fat injection.
What is the recovery period like?
The doctors we conversed with had different opinions on this matter. Dr. Franco claims that the post-operative recovery from a skinny BBL and a traditional BBL is similar. In fact, because more areas are liposuctioned in the case of the former, patients might experience even greater soreness. (He also adds that since these tend to be thinner patients, there’s an increased risk of over-liposuctioning and potential complications, such as deformities.) In the case of a BBL, it’s typically advised to avoid any pressure on the buttocks for up to six weeks to prevent disruption of the transplanted fat. He notes that, because skinny BBL patients really aim to retain every bit of fat possible, this timeline applies to them as well.
Dr. Neinstein disagrees: “Since we’re not introducing as much volume and not challenging the capacity of the butt, there’s less swelling and a reduced risk of infection,” he remarks. “There’s also less recovery time and restrictions afterwards. We typically instruct patients to stay off their butt for two weeks instead of the usual six, which is highly attractive to them.”
In both procedures, your doctor is likely to recommend wearing compression garments and undergoing professional lymphatic massages.
