If you have been thinking about enhancing your buttocks and undergoing a Brazilian Butt Lift, you could be confused by the different options available and may not be sure which kind is right for you. It can also be even more confusing because doctors do not always use the same terminology to describe a particular procedure.
Today, we are going to talk about and compare the skinny BBL vs normal BBL, which is the traditional version compared to what many doctors call the skinny BBL. They are both fat transfer procedures, but they are done a little differently, and the results will depend on your body type and your percentage of body fat.
What Is The Difference Between The Skinny BBL vs A Regular BBL?
A BBL (Brazilian Butt Lift) is a cosmetic procedure that transfers fat taken from other parts of your body to your buttocks to enhance its size or shape or correct asymmetry. The procedure steps are basically the same, but the locations and amounts of harvested fat are different.
The Regular BBL
A regular BBL is also called a traditional BBL and is what most people think of when they hear the term “Brazilian Butt Lift.” It is a cosmetic surgery that takes fat from areas like your stomach, flanks, back, or thighs and moves it to your butt to create a much fuller, rounder shape and to give the body more of an hourglass figure.
The regular BBL is best for people who have enough extra fat to harvest and is usually a good fit for people with a BMI (body mass index) of between 25 and 30 who desire a curvier shape. The results of a traditional BBL are usually more dramatic and noticeable than a skinny BBL.
The Skinny BBL
A Skinny BBL is basically just a more subtle version of the regular BBL and works best for people who have a BMI of under 25, are naturally slim, and do not have much fat to spare. The surgeon has to carefully take smaller amounts of fat from places like your inner thighs, arms, or lower back and then use it to sculpt a more lifted and shapely butt.
The final results are more subtle and natural-looking, giving you more definition, curves, and better proportions without making your backside look too big for the rest of your frame. Many people prefer the skinny BBL because it is not obvious that you had the procedure, and just looks like you were born with good genes.
Why You Would Choose A skinny BBL vs A Normal BBL
The best BBL for you might be determined by how much available body fat you have that can be used to enhance your butt. If you are already pretty curvy and want to enlarge your buttocks, a normal BBL will give you more volume and a rounded effect. If you are on the thinner side and only have a small amount of fat that can be harvested, your options for enhancement are more limited. You will be able to enhance what you already have by adding a bit of extra volume and reshaping some smaller areas, but your results will be more subtle, balanced for your frame, and natural looking.
to see the entire table
| Traditional BBL | Skinny BBL | |
|---|---|---|
| Volume Of Fat Needed | Uses a larger volume of harvested fat (approx 1 liter or more per buttock) | Uses a smaller volume of transferred fat (approx 500–800 cc total) |
| Harvesting Sites | Usual core areas like the abdomen, flanks, or thighs | May require using multiple sites, some of which are less common like the thighs, back, arms |
| Expected Results | Your buttocks will look significantly fuller and rounder and the changes will be dramatic | Your buttocks will have a subtle lift, a bit more volume but have a natural shape |
| Recovery time | It will usually take about 6 weeks before you can sit normally or return to your regular activities | Usually takes only around 4 weeks to resume your normal schedule |
How Does The Skinny BBL vs BBL Recovery Time Compare?
Both types of BBLs follow similar recovery timelines, but the skinny BBL usually has a little less swelling and bruising and usually allows patients to return to their normal activities about 2 weeks earlier than a traditional BBL.
Right after your BBL, Dr. Angelina will instruct you on wearing compression garments to help reduce swelling and provide support for the newly transferred fat so it will settle properly and securely into the new location. You will also need to avoid sitting or lying directly on your butt and applying too much pressure on these fat cells so they do not die. Dr. Angelina will give you tips on how to sit or sleep as comfortably as possible while protecting the treatment areas.
Paying close attention and following your aftercare instructions matters so much because the fat that is transferred needs time to “take,” meaning it needs to develop a blood supply in its new location. If you sit or recline on it too soon or do not follow other instructions, some of the fat will disappear. Losing some of these transplanted fat cells is a normal part of the process, and your surgeon will add additional ones to compensate for this loss, but taking proper care of these transplanted cells helps you preserve as many as possible.
Most people can return to light activity in about two to three weeks, but full recovery can take six weeks or more, especially for the traditional BBL.
Risks Associated With A Skinny BBL vs A Regular BBL
Both the regular and skinny BBL procedures come with risks like swelling, bruising, infection, or uneven results. In rare cases, very serious side effects can occur if the fat is injected into the wrong place. It is very important to choose a board-certified cosmetic surgeon, like Dr. Angelina Postoev, who is an expert in BBLs and has done a lot of these procedures before. She is a highly trained expert who will prioritize your safety while delivering the results you are looking for.
Another risk that can damage the results of your BBL is if you gain or lose a significant amount of weight. You will want to maintain a steady weight after surgery, since gaining or losing too much can significantly change the shape of your results.
Where Can I Find Out If A Regular BBL vs A Skinny BBL Is Right For Me?
A traditional BBL can provide dramatic enhancements to your shape, and a skinny BBL is great if you are more petite or on the thinner side but desire to add some natural-looking curves.
If you are thinking about undergoing a BBL, the seasoned experts at IBI Plastic Surgery and Med Spa can help guide your decision. They will listen to your goals, check your body type, and walk you through the options that are available to help you achieve your desired look. Set up your personal consultation today!
