Buttock Augmentation (Gluteal Augmentation): An Overview of BBL and Implants
Buttock augmentation, also known as gluteal augmentation, permanently alters the volume and contour of the buttocks – for example, through a BBL or using implants.
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Important note
This article is for information purposes only and is not a substitute for a medical diagnosis or advice. If you are unsure, or if you require a personalised treatment plan, it is essential that you consult a qualified specialist.
For many people, a well-shaped, round and firm bottom is synonymous with an attractive and youthful figure. If the desired shape cannot be achieved through exercise or due to natural build, modern plastic surgery offers various options – known collectively as buttock augmentation or gluteal augmentation – to permanently alter the volume and contour of the buttocks.
This article provides you with a clear and comprehensive overview of the two main surgical methods used for buttock augmentation: the Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) using the patient’s own fat, and augmentation using implants.
What is buttock augmentation (gluteal augmentation)?
Buttock augmentation — medically known as gluteal augmentation or gluteoplasty — refers to surgical procedures designed to alter the volume, shape and contour of the buttocks. Volume is increased either using the patient’s own fat tissue (Brazilian Butt Lift), firm silicone implants, or a combination of both techniques. In addition to purely aesthetic reshaping, this also includes the correction of congenital, accident-related or disease-related volume deficits in the buttocks.
The two main methods: a fundamental difference
Choosing the right method depends on your individual anatomy, your fat deposits and your aesthetic goals.
1. Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) using the patient’s own fat: In this procedure, the body’s own fat is used for contouring and adding volume.
2. Buttock augmentation with implants: Silicone moulded parts are used here to create a pronounced projection and curvature.
The big comparison: autologous fat (BBL) vs. implants
| Criterion | Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) | Buttock implants |
|---|---|---|
| Material | The body’s own adipose tissue | Solid silicone implants |
| Result | Natural, soft, shaping | Distinctive, rounded, strong projection |
| Ideal for … | People with sufficient donor fat who wish to achieve a natural-looking contour | Very slim people with no spare fat, wishing for maximum volume |
| Additional effect | Body contouring through liposuction in other areas | No additional effect |
| Scars | Just small puncture marks from the liposuction | A longer scar in the gluteal cleft |
| Main risk | Fat embolism, uneven rate of tissue growth | Implant displacement, capsular fibrosis, infection |
| Shelf life | Long-lasting to permanent (adipose tissue) | Long-lasting; the implant may need replacing after 15–20 years |
The methods in detail
1. The Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) using the patient’s own fat
BBL is currently the most popular method of buttock augmentation and involves two steps:
- Procedure: First, fat tissue is removed from other parts of the body (e.g. the abdomen, hips, back) using liposuction. This fat is specially processed and purified. The surgeon then uses fine cannulas to inject the harvested autologous fat precisely into various layers of the subcutaneous fat tissue on the buttocks in order to sculpt the desired shape and roundness.
- Results & Shelf life: The result looks and feels very natural. Some of the transplanted fat cells (usually 50–70%) become permanently established, whilst the rest are broken down by the body. The final result is visible after a few months.
2. Buttock augmentation with implants
This method is ideal for very slim female patients who do not have sufficient fat deposits, or who wish to achieve a very pronounced, rounded projection.
- Procedure: Through an inconspicuous incision in the gluteal crease, the surgeon creates a pocket for the implant. To achieve a natural-looking result and to protect the implant effectively, it is usually placed within the gluteus maximus muscle (Gluteus maximus muscle) or above the muscle (subfascial/subcutaneous). Placement beneath the muscle (submuscular) is not common with gluteal implants.
- Results & Shelf life: The result is an immediately visible, significant increase in size and a more rounded shape. Modern buttock implants are very durable, but may need to be replaced after 15–20 years.
The crucial role of expertise and risk mitigation
Buttock augmentation, in particular the BBL OP, is a technically demanding procedure that should only be carried out by a specialist in plastic and aesthetic surgery with a proven track record of experience. The risks are significant:
- In BBL, the most serious, albeit rare, complication is fat embolism, in which fat accidentally enters a blood vessel and is carried, for example, to the lungs or other organs.
- The main risks associated with implants are displacement (dislocation), a visible implant margin, impaired wound healing or capsular fibrosis.
As these are cosmetic procedures, the costs of treating any complications or of any necessary revision surgery are not covered by health insurance. A Consequential Costs Insurance, which is taken out prior to the procedure, is therefore an essential safeguard against these high financial risks.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on buttock augmentation
The costs are high and vary considerably. A BBL usually costs between 6,000 and 12,000 euros, whilst breast augmentation using implants often falls within a similar or slightly lower price range (usually from 5,500 to 10,000 euros).
No. Following both procedures, but particularly after a BBL, you must avoid any direct pressure on the buttocks for several weeks (often 4–6). You must sleep on your stomach and use special cushions when sitting, so as not to jeopardise the rate at which the fat cells integrate or the healing of the implant pocket.
With BBL, the result is permanent once the healing phase is complete, although it will naturally change in the event of significant weight fluctuations. Implants offer a stable, long-lasting result, but are not necessarily intended to last a lifetime.
There is no one-size-fits-all ‚better‘ option. The choice depends solely on your body type and your preferences. BBL creates a more natural shape and contours the whole body, but requires donor fat. Implants create more projection and are the only option for very slim people seeking significant enlargement.