What is a Skinny BBL vs BBL?

BBL, also known as Brazilian Butt Lift, is a popular surgical procedure which increases the volume and enhances the shape of the buttocks.

The nature of BBL surgery, and the dramatic results it is often associated with, leads to a perception that it isn’t suitable for individuals with a slender frame. However, Skinny BBL is a variation of the original procedure, which has been modified to suit the anatomy of slim patients.

What is a BBL?

BBL surgery increases the volume of the buttocks whilst creating a rounded and flattering shape using Fat Transfer techniques.

The procedure is carried out in three stages:

Liposuction – Excess fat is extracted from various areas of the body using Liposuction. Typically, this includes the abdomen, waist, back and hips (known as 360 Liposuction), resulting in the defined, hourglass shape often associated with BBL
Processing – The extracted fat is processed to remove impurities and prepare it for reinjection
Injection – Once the fat has been processed, it is injected into the buttocks, under the skin, above the muscle (known as Subcutaneous Lipofilling). Depending on the desired result, not all of the extracted fat may be processed and injected

It is a popular procedure for individuals concerned about issues such as:

Hip dips
Sagging buttocks caused by dramatic weight loss, weight loss drugs, or pregnancy
Unbalanced body proportions

BBL surgery is often associated with dramatic results, including enlarged buttocks with a dramatic hourglass figure, a small waist and rounded hips.

What is a Skinny BBL?

Skinny BBL surgery is performed in the same way as traditional BBL, using Liposuction and Fat Transfer to enhance the size and shape of the buttocks. However, the technique has been modified to suit patients with a slender frame.

Slender patients may be daunted by the quantity of fat required, as well as the dramatic results of a BBL. However, there are two primary differences in the Skinny BBL procedure to make it suitable for those with a slight build:

It is necessary to extract less fat during the Liposuction phase
Less fat is injected into the buttocks, resulting in a more subtle appearance

The Skinny BBL is suited for patients with a slender frame and those who wish to achieve a less dramatic result.

What is Available Fat?

There are two kinds of fat in the body – subcutaneous and visceral. It is important to understand the differences between these kinds of fat to know what constitutes available fat, and also where the fat is injected during a BBL.

Subcutaneous fat

Subcutaneous fat sits beneath the skin and above the muscle. It feels soft and can be manipulated through the skin.

Subcutaneous fat can be extracted using Liposuction
The existing layer of subcutaneous fat in the buttocks is the basis for the fat transfer during safe BBL surgery. The injected fat grafts to the existing fat, allowing a blood supply to be established, keeping the injected fat in place long-term. This technique is known as Subcutaneous Lipofilling

Subcutaneous fat is usually considered available by surgeons for Liposuction and Fat Transfer during BBL and Skinny BBL.

Visceral fat

Visceral fat sits beneath the muscle and surrounds the internal organs for protection. It is responsible for the firm feeling of a ‘beer belly’, and excess visceral fat is associated with increased health risks.

Visceral fat cannot be extracted with Liposuction
Although some inexperienced or disreputable surgeons, often outside of the UK, may suggest injecting fat beneath the muscle, this is highly dangerous, increasing the risk of serious complications such as fat embolism (fat being injected into a blood vessel)

Cadogan Clinic’s Consultant Surgeons take safety during BBL and Skinny BBL procedures very seriously. All BBL procedures at Cadogan Clinic are carried out using Subcutaneous Lipofilling, and fat is never injected beneath the muscle.

Mr. Daniel Del Vecchio and Mr. Omar Tillo, two of our expert Plastic Surgeons, were actively involved in developing the UK BBL safety guidelines, and Cadogan Clinic has always been at the forefront of Liposuction and Fat Transfer safety protocols.

Can You Get a BBL If You Are Skinny?

Whether you are suitable for a BBL if you’re skinny is determined by your surgeon during your initial consultation. They will discuss your concerns and desired results before carrying out an examination.

Along with your concerns, desired results and medical history, they will consider the following factors when deciding whether BBL or Skinny BBL surgery is right for you:

The amount extractable fat available – To achieve your desired results, you will need to have the appropriate amount of fat available
Your body proportions – Especially for slender patients, it is essential to take into account the natural shape of the body to ensure the results look natural and proportionate
Your body weight - To maintain your BBL results, your weight needs to remain as stable as possible following the procedure. Fat that has been transferred can be affected by weight loss, so losing weight after your BBL may impact your results.

If your surgeon feels you are too skinny for a BBL or a Skinny BBL, they may suggest healthy weight gain methods to increase the amount of body fat available. Any weight gain you attempt must be carefully monitored to ensure you don’t gain too much weight, that your weight is maintainable, and that your body’s proportions are not significantly altered.

How Much Fat Do You Need for a Skinny BBL?

The exact amount of fat required for any BBL procedure depends on the results you wish to achieve. A more subtle result usually requires less fat than a dramatic result.

In addition to the amount of fat required for injection, your surgeon will also consider the amount of fat that needs to be extracted to achieve the desired body contour and shape. Although you may only want a subtle increase in the size of your buttocks, not requiring much fat, your surgeon may need to extract more fat to create a defined and smooth waist contour.

Surgeons use CC’s (cubic centimetres) to measure the amount of fat extracted and injected during Liposuction and Fat Transfer procedures. This is to ensure that potential inconsistencies caused by weight or body measurements do not affect the final result.

In a traditional BBL procedure:

1,000-1,500 CC’s of fat will be extracted (around 1-1.5 litres)
500-750 CC’s of fat will be injected into each buttock (around 0.5-0.75 litres)

For a Skinny BBL procedure:

500-1,000 CC’s of fat will be extracted (around 0.5-1 litre)
250-800 CC’s of fat will be injected into each buttock (around 0.25-0.8 litres)

It is difficult to know how much body fat is available when thinking in CC’s and litres. Typically, surgeons will use BMI and body examination to determine the quantity of extractable fat a patient has.

Generally speaking, BMI guidelines for BBL procedures are:

23-25 BMI for Skinny BBL
25-28 BMI for BBL

Your surgeon will consider that BMI accounts for overall body weight, rather than specifically body fat percentage. Therefore, some patients may find that although their BMI falls within the guidelines, a significant portion of their weight is composed of muscle, or non-available fat, and there isn’t enough fat to be removed with Liposuction.

Skinny BBL vs Normal BBL – Differences in Recovery

Although less fat is extracted and injected during a Skinny BBL, the recovery time is comparable to the original BBL procedure. This is because the quantities of fat involved are proportional to the patient’s body.

Following any BBL procedure at Cadogan Clinic you will have a series of follow-up appointments with your surgeon and our specialist nurses to monitor your healing and results.

You will also be able to contact our nurses at any stage during your recovery if you have any questions or concerns. Their phone line is open 24 hours a day and they are on hand to assist you.

BBL and Skinny BBL Recovery

Your surgeon will discuss the BBL and Skinny BBL recovery process during your consultation. This will allow you to prepare ahead of your procedure and will also factor into your final decision about having surgery.

Recovery time – BBL and Skinny BBL recovery time is usually up to 6 weeks. For significantly dramatic results, this may be increased to 8 weeks
Swelling and bruising – It is normal to experience some swelling and bruising following BBL and Skinny BBL surgery. This will resolve within 2-3 weeks after your procedure
Garments – Your surgeon will ask you to wear compression garments, which cover the areas that have been treated with Liposuction, as well as your buttocks. These will aid healing and reduce swelling, as well as protect your incisions
BBL cushion – You will be asked to use a specialist BBL cushion for 4-6 weeks after your surgery, which will reduce pressure on your buttocks while the injected fat establishes. This will help to protect and maintain your results
Sleeping position – You will have to adjust your sleeping position for the first few weeks of your recovery to prevent pressure being placed on your buttocks
Exercise – Avoiding exercise and strenuous activity for 4-6 weeks will aid your healing and protect your incisions, preventing complications

It is essential to follow your surgeon’s recovery and aftercare advice for your safety and to optimise your results.

Words From Our Founder

Mr. Bryan Mayou

Thanks to its presentation in the media, BBL surgery has become associated with specific body shapes and dramatic results. However, skilful surgical techniques and experience can achieve highly gratifying results for slender patients with a Skinny BBL procedure. Although the results are usually more subtle, this is suitable and proportionate for patients with a slight frame.

Mr. Bryan Mayou

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between BBL and Skinny BBL?

Both BBL and Skinny BBL surgery involve extracting fat from the body using Liposuction to reinject it into the buttocks, increasing volume and enhancing shape. However, Skinny BBL has been specifically designed with slender patients in mind, extracting less fat during the body contouring stage of the surgery, and injecting smaller amounts of fat into the buttocks. This achieves a more subtle result, which is proportionate to the patient’s frame.

Do you have to gain weight for a BBL?

In some cases, where a patient does not have enough available fat to achieve their desired results, a surgeon may suggest some healthy weight gain methods. However, it is important that it is possible to maintain the final weight after the surgery in order to ensure the results are long-term.

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