No matter your age, a voluptuous figure can help restore your confidence and renew your self-image. While breast augmentation is the most popular way to obtain a proportionate chest, you can achieve a balanced figure by addressing your hip region with multiple procedures including a hip augmentation and a Brazilian butt lift (BBL). But when comparing hip augmentation to a BBL, it’s common to wonder: Is hip augmentation similar to BBL?
The biggest difference between the treatments is hip augmentation redefines the contours of the hips, while BBL adds volume to the buttocks. With a different treatment area, the procedures also deliver distinct results depending on your aesthetic goals. Another distinction is that hip augmentation can be achieved through implants or fat transfer, but BBL is only completed with the latter.
Before you choose either of these procedures, you may want to learn more about both. The following guide explains the differences between hip augmentation and BBL to help you make educated decisions about obtaining your ideal figure.
What Are the Basic Differences Between Hip Augmentation and BBL?
There are a few basic differences between hip augmentation and BBL.
- Treatment Area. With hip augmentation, you can improve the contours of your hips and give them a more curvaceous shape. With BBL, you can enhance the appearance of your buttocks to add more volume and definition.
- Treatment Method. While comparing hip augmentation to BBL, it’s important to remember that hip augmentation can be performed with either fat transfer or implants. BBL is performed via fat transfer.
- Consistency of Results. Custom implants are made from silicone and deliver precise enhancements to your hips according to your aesthetic goals. In contrast, fat transfer injections can add volume to the treatment area, but they may fall short in the consistency of their results as some of the fat may be reabsorbed by the body.
- Longevity of Results. Implants are biocompatible, silicone medical devices inserted under the skin to permanently alter the contours of the hips to achieve your desired shape. In comparison, some fat cells administered during BBL may react to weight fluctuations over time.
- Enhanced Safety Profile. An important difference between hip augmentation and BBL is the enhanced safety profile of the former. With hip augmentation, you can enjoy a faster recovery and reduced complications compared to BBL.
What Techniques Are Used in Hip Augmentation Compared to BBL?
In hip augmentation, your plastic surgeon can use one of two techniques: implants or fat transfer.
While using implants, your plastic surgeon inserts silicone devices into the hip area by creating a pocket between the muscles. This method is similar to breast augmentation and involves carefully stitching the surgical site to let the implant settle correctly under your skin.
Fat transfer involves harvesting fat cells from a donor area of your body, such as your abdomen or thighs, via liposuction. After processing the harvested fat, your plastic surgeon strategically injects it into your hips to deliver a more pronounced shape.
In contrast, BBL only uses fat transfer to improve the contours of your buttocks rather than implants. This remains one of the starkest differences when viewing hip augmentation and BBL side by side.
Who Is an Ideal Candidate for Hip Augmentation vs. BBL?
Ideal candidates for hip augmentation include those who:
- Want to improve the contours of their hips
- Want to obtain the sought-after “hourglass figure”
- Want to correct a dented appearance of their hips, or a “hip dip”
- Want a procedure with permanent results
- Are in good overall health
- Have realistic expectations from the procedure
Ideal candidates for BBL include those who:
- Want to enhance the shape of their buttocks
- Want to lift sagging buttocks
- Have excess fat in other areas of their body
- Are not after permanent results
- Are in good overall health
- Have realistic expectations from the procedure
What Results Can Be Expected from Hip Augmentation and BBL?
An important difference between hip augmentation and BBL is the precision of their results. Hip augmentation with implants can be quite pronounced in its outcome and deliver results close to your ideal proportions. BBL with fat injections remains significant; however, only 50 to 70% attaches to the blood supply and thrives. The body reabsorbs this fat and may lose its prominence in 3 to 4 months, requiring a secondary procedure.
As hip augmentation can be achieved with implants, they will not break down over time, ensuring the longevity of your results. While qualified plastic surgeons can reshape your buttocks with BBL for noticeable initial results, the redefined shape may change a few months after the procedure due to the body’s resorption.
Those who want to redefine the appearance of their hips permanently decide to do so with implants. This is also one of the biggest factors in the debate of hip augmentation versus BBL.
How Long Is the Recovery Time for Each Procedure?
The typical recovery time for hip augmentation ranges from 6 to 8 weeks. After this time, you can usually resume most activities. While this is the timeline of full recovery, most patients can resume work just a week after hip augmentation.
In contrast, recovery after a BBL is lengthy and more prone to risks and side effects. For example, you cannot typically sit with any pressure on your buttocks for 2 to 3 weeks. This factor could impact your ability to work and rest as you must stand and adjust your manner of sitting, making recovery painful and inconvenient. Most patients can typically resume normal activities 6 weeksafter BBL surgery.
Can Hip Augmentation and BBL Be Combined in One Surgery?
When comparing the effects of hip augmentation and BBL, you might want to combine them in a single surgery to achieve multiple enhancements. However, some plastic surgeons often do not recommend this approach due to the toll BBL can take on the body.
If you elect to have both hip augmentation and BBL simultaneously, you cannot sit down or lay back on your sides or buttocks during the first few weeks after surgery, which may cause discomfort.
With that, if you want to save yourself from the intensive recovery procedure of BBL but want to enhance the appearance of your buttocks, you can opt for procedures like butt implants or butt tuck surgery. You can discuss these procedures with a qualified plastic surgeon who specializes in these cosmetic treatments.
Schedule Your Beverly Hills Hip Augmentation Consultation with Dr. Stanton
Specializing in hip and butt augmentation surgeries, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Ryan Stanton is one of the top providers of hip augmentation with implants in Los Angeles. Also known by the cheeky nickname “The Butt King®,” Dr. Stanton has the experience to help you redefine your figure and achieve your ideal contours. During your initial consultation, Dr. Stanton looks forward to answering all your questions about hip augmentation compared to BBL and guiding you to the right procedure for you.
Are you ready to take the first step toward redefining your figure? Contact us at (310) 278-0077 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Stanton today.