El BBL with own fat Also known as a Brazilian Butt Lift without implants, this is the most popular procedure for naturally enhancing the volume and shape of the buttocks. Instead of using artificial materials, it uses your own body fat, extracted through a biopsy. liposuctionwhich is processed and precisely transferred to the buttocks. In this article, we explain how it works, its advantages, its limitations, and when it's the most suitable option for you.
What is a BBL using your own fat?
El BBL Fat grafting is a surgical procedure that uses your own body fat to augment and shape the buttocks. Unlike traditional buttock augmentation, fat grafting is a surgical procedure that uses your own body fat to augment and shape the buttocks. Supercharged BBLThis technique, which incorporates silicone implants, uses exclusively fat extracted from areas such as the abdomen, flanks, or lower back. This fat is purified and strategically reinjected into the buttocks to give them a rounder, more projected, and defined shape.
Therefore, the result not only improves the buttocks but also stylizes the areas from which the fat is extracted, creating an overall body contouring effect that is one of the main reasons why this procedure has become one of the most in-demand in cosmetic surgery.
Advantages of BBL using your own fat
Natural result
One of the main advantages of a BBL using your own fat is the naturalness of the results. By using your own fat, you avoid the risk of rejection associated with artificial materials. Furthermore, the buttocks are in harmony with the rest of the body, resulting in a more balanced and proportionate figure.
Double benefit: buttocks and silhouette
When performing the liposuction In the donor areas—abdomen, flanks, and lower back—patients also experience a visible improvement in the contour of those areas. In other words, the procedure not only enlarges the buttocks but also slims the waist and improves the overall silhouette simultaneously.
A more manageable recovery
Compared to procedures involving implants, fat transfer with the patient's own fat generally results in a more comfortable recovery. Furthermore, since no foreign materials are introduced into the body, the complication rate is lower and the healing process is more predictable.
Lasting results
The fat transferred to the buttocks integrates with the surrounding tissues, allowing the results to last long-term. However, it's important to know that between 20 and 40% of the transferred fat may be absorbed during the first few months, which is completely normal and something the surgeon takes into account when planning the volume to be transferred.
Limits of the BBL with own fat
Partial fat reabsorption
Although a BBL using your own fat offers long-lasting results, some of the transferred fat is absorbed by the body during the healing phase. This means that the final volume visible after six months will be somewhat less than the immediate volume. Therefore, the surgeon typically transfers a slightly larger volume to compensate for this expected loss.
It depends on the available fat
A BBL using the patient's own fat requires that they have sufficient fat tissue in the donor areas. If you have little fat available, it may not be possible to achieve the desired volume with this technique alone. In that case, the Supercharged BBLCombining implants with fat transfer may be the most suitable alternative.
Volume limit
If you're looking for a very large increase in volume, this technique has a limit determined by the amount of available fat. In contrast, implants allow for a greater degree of expansion regardless of the initial body composition.
Risks inherent to liposuction
Although it is a less invasive procedure than other surgeries, liposuction carries its own risks: infections, bruising, and temporary changes in skin sensitivity are possible complications that should be discussed with the surgeon before deciding.
Summary: advantages and limitations at a glance
✓ Advantages
- Natural results using your own fat
- Without risk of rejection of third-party materials
- Double effect: buttocks + waist
- More comfortable recovery than with implants
- Long-lasting results once the fat is integrated
✗ Limits
- Between 20-40% of the fat can be absorbed
- It depends on the amount of fat available in the body
- Maximum volume limited by anatomy
- Not suitable for very thin patients
- Risks inherent to liposuction
Is a BBL using your own fat the right option for you?
The choice depends on your anatomy, your goals, and your overall health. Generally speaking, a BBL using your own fat is ideal if you prefer a natural result and have sufficient fat in the donor areas. However, if you're looking for a very significant increase or have limited fat available, other, more suitable alternatives may exist.
A good candidate if…
- You have enough available fat in your abdomen, flanks, or lower back.
- You're looking for a natural and proportionate result.
- Do you also want to improve the silhouette of your waist?
- You prefer to avoid artificial materials
- Your volume expectations are realistic
Consider other options if…
- You have little fat available in donor areas.
- You're looking for a very large increase in volume
- You have been assessed as not suitable for BBL in another consultation
- You want a very defined structural projection
If you've been told in another consultation that you don't have enough fat for a BBL, it may be worth getting a second opinion. At Cirumed, the range of available techniques includes the Supercharged BBL Combining fat and implants means that many patients who have been assessed as unsuitable at other centers do have real options.
Not sure if a BBL using your own fat is right for you?
En Cirumed Clinic, Dr. Alexander Aslani will assess your anatomy, available fat, and goals to recommend the most suitable approach — whether it's BBL with your own fat, Supercharged BBL or a combination. To expand your research, also consult the ISAPS guidelines.
Request an assessment →No obligation. Video consultation available for national and international patients.
Frequently asked questions about the BBL using body fat
About the procedure
What is the difference between a self-fat BBL and a Supercharged BBL?
El BBL with own fat It uses only fat extracted from your own body to augment your buttocks. It's the most natural option and requires no materials foreign to the body. Supercharged BBLThis procedure, on the other hand, combines gluteal implants with fat transfer. Therefore, it is the preferred approach for patients with limited available fat or who are seeking a greater volume than fat alone can provide.
How much fat is needed for a BBL using your own fat?
There's no exact number, as it depends on the target volume and the quality of the available fat. Generally, the surgeon needs to be able to extract a sufficient volume from areas such as the abdomen, flanks, or lower back. Therefore, the preoperative assessment is crucial: the surgeon will evaluate your body composition and honestly tell you if a BBL using your own fat is viable or if there's a more suitable alternative for your anatomy.
Is the transferred fat absorbed? How much volume is lost?
Yes, it's normal for 20 to 40% of the transferred fat to be absorbed by the body during the first 3-6 months. However, the surgeon takes this into account during surgical planning and transfers a slightly larger volume to compensate for this expected loss. The fat that remains after 6 months is permanent, provided the weight remains stable.
Regarding the results and the recovery
When are the final results of a BBL using your own fat visible?
The first results are visible immediately, although swelling makes the volume appear larger than it will ultimately be. Between weeks 3 and 12, the body absorbs some of the fat, and the result may appear to diminish; this is normal and expected. The final result is noticeable after 3-6 months, once the swelling has subsided and the fat has integrated. Learn more about the process at: What a BBL looks like after 10 years.
How long does recovery take after a BBL using your own fat?
For the first 2-3 weeks, relative rest is recommended, and sitting directly on the buttocks should be avoided. Most patients can resume their daily activities starting in the fourth week. It is also important to wear a compression garment during the first few weeks to help the fat settle properly. Strenuous exercise should be avoided for at least 6 weeks.
Does a BBL using your own fat leave visible scars?
Liposuction incisions are very small—generally less than 1 cm—and are located in well-concealed areas. In contrast, unlike implants, there is no incision in the central crease between the buttocks. Therefore, scars from a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) using the patient's own fat are minimal and, in the vast majority of cases, virtually invisible once healed.
