Dr. Moises Salama is an award-winning board-certified plastic surgeon in Miami, FL. In this blog series, “Your BBL Resource,” he will cover some of the most frequently asked questions about Brazilian butt lift surgery, as well as provide advice on how to get the best result should you choose to have the procedure.

Scrolling through Instagram, Facebook, and SnapChat, you may see references to a cosmetic enhancement procedure known as “BBL.” BBL is a term meaning Brazilian butt lift, and over 20,000 of these procedures were performed in 2017*, 10% more than in 2016. The high interest in Brazilian butt lift surgery can be traced to how the technique lifts, contours, and enhances the curves of the body—not only the derriere but also the waist, hips, and thighs. BBL can create more of a feminine, hourglass figure in women and greater lower body volume in men with natural-looking effects and enduring results.

Brazilian butt lift is unique from what many call butt augmentation, a technique which typically uses implants to increase the size and improve the shape of the buttocks. In a Brazilian butt lift, the patient’s excess fatty tissue is transferred from one area of the body to another to achieve the desired volume boost. During the contouring process, the plastic surgeon will perform liposuction to sculpt the patient’s silhouette and to harvest the tissue needed to lift and enhance the lower body. As a result, no foreign objects or substances are left in the body once treatment is complete, so there is no risk of implant rupture or displacement.

By using fat injections, patients can see long-lasting, potentially permanent results—something other injectable treatments cannot claim. This combination of natural tissue enhancement and figure-flattering contouring sets Brazilian butt lift apart from many other body procedures. To obtain the best possible outcome, however, it is imperative for patients to choose a highly qualified and extensively trained plastic surgeon who performs this procedure often and successfully.

Many patients struggle to identify how to choose a physician who is qualified and capable. In my next blog post, I’ll discuss the BBL consultation process and what questions individuals can ask to help them find the best plastic surgeon for their needs and goals.

*According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons