Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL): Safe and Natural Results

As a plastic surgeon, I have seen how the Brazilian Butt Lift has become one of the most requested body contouring procedures worldwide. This growing interest is not only driven by aesthetic trends, but by a deeper desire to achieve harmonious proportions using one’s own fat, in a way that looks and feels natural. However, as the popularity of this procedure has increased, so has patient awareness. Today, people are not just asking what a Brazilian Butt Lift is—they are asking how safe it is, who should perform it, and what defines a truly natural result.

Over the years, I have learned that successful outcomes in Brazilian Butt Lift surgery depend on much more than volume or shape. They require a deep understanding of anatomy, meticulous surgical technique, and an unwavering commitment to patient safety. As David Delgado, my approach has always been guided by these principles: careful patient selection, precise fat handling, and realistic surgical planning. In this article, I want to share a clear and medically grounded perspective on Brazilian Butt Lift surgery, helping you understand why safety and natural results should always be the foundation of this procedure.

A Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) is a surgical procedure designed to enhance the shape and projection of the buttocks using the patient’s own fat. Instead of adding foreign materials, this technique relies on fat transfer, which allows me to sculpt the body while respecting its natural anatomy. The goal is not simply to add volume, but to improve proportions and achieve a result that looks balanced and natural.

Although every patient requires an individualized plan, the Brazilian Butt Lift follows a well-defined medical process:

1. Fat Harvesting

• Fat is removed through liposuction from carefully selected areas such as the abdomen, flanks, lower back, or thighs
• These areas are chosen based on body proportions and fat quality
• This step contributes to overall body contouring, not just the buttocks

2. Fat Processing and Purification

• The extracted fat is purified to isolate healthy, viable fat cells
• This step is essential to improve fat survival and long-term results
• Only properly prepared fat is used for reinjection

3. Strategic Fat Injection

• Fat is reinjected using precise, anatomically guided techniques
• The focus is on enhancing shape, projection, and symmetry
• Volume is distributed carefully to maintain safety and natural contours

Why a Brazilian Butt Lift Looks and Feels More Natural?

When performed correctly, a Brazilian Butt Lift integrates seamlessly with the body because it uses living tissue. Transferred fat behaves like natural fat, adapting to movement and body changes over time. This is why, in my practice, I emphasize precise technique, realistic planning, and respect for anatomy—because natural results are achieved not by excess volume, but by thoughtful surgical execution.

One of the most important aspects I discuss with my patients is that a Brazilian Butt Lift is not a simple aesthetic procedure. It requires advanced surgical training, a deep understanding of gluteal anatomy, and strict adherence to well-established safety protocols. When these elements are respected, the procedure can be performed responsibly, minimizing risks and prioritizing patient well-being. Unfortunately, much of the misinformation surrounding BBL comes from approaches that overlook these fundamentals.

In my practice, safety is not a single step, it is a comprehensive process. The following elements are essential for a responsible Brazilian Butt Lift:

Proper Patient Selection

• Not every patient is an ideal candidate for a BBL
• Overall health, body composition, and fat availability must be evaluated carefully
• Setting realistic expectations is part of ensuring safety

Safe Fat Injection Planes

• Fat must be injected only in anatomically safe layers
• Respecting these planes significantly reduces the risk of complications
• Precision and technique are critical at this stage

Controlled Volume Transfer

• More fat does not mean better results
• Transferring excessive volumes increases risks and compromises outcomes
• The focus should always be proportional enhancement, not exaggeration

Accredited Surgical Facilities

• Procedures should be performed in properly equipped and accredited operating rooms
• This ensures strict monitoring, emergency preparedness, and standardized protocols
• The surgical environment is as important as the surgeon’s technique

Modern Techniques and Evidence-Based Practice

Over time, advancements in surgical techniques and a stronger emphasis on evidence-based medicine have played a crucial role in improving the safety of the Brazilian Butt Lift. Continuous training, updated protocols, and adherence to international guidelines allow surgeons to refine their approach and reduce preventable risks. In my experience, staying aligned with current medical standards is not optional, it is a professional responsibility.

Why Individualized Surgical Planning Matters?

No two bodies are the same, and a “one-size-fits-all” Brazilian Butt Lift approach is neither safe nor effective. Each patient requires a personalized surgical plan based on anatomy, proportions, and aesthetic goals. By tailoring every step of the procedure, I can prioritize safety while achieving results that are balanced, natural, and aligned with each patient’s expectations.

When patients ask me for natural results with a Brazilian Butt Lift, they are not usually referring to size alone. In medical terms, natural results mean that the buttocks appear harmonious with the rest of the body, maintaining balanced proportions and smooth transitions between anatomical areas. A well-executed Brazilian Butt Lift should not draw attention as a standalone feature but rather enhance the overall silhouette in a way that looks consistent with the patient’s natural anatomy.

 

The Importance of Body Proportions and Anatomy

Everybody has a unique structure, and this plays a decisive role in the outcome of a Brazilian Butt Lift:

• Hip width and pelvic structure influence how projection is perceived
• Existing fat distribution determines where fat can be safely harvested and transferred
• Waist-to-hip ratio affects the visual impact of the result

Understanding these factors allows me to design a surgical plan that respects the patient’s natural framework instead of forcing a standardized aesthetic ideal.

Why Subtle Enhancement Often Leads to Better Results

In my experience, subtle and well-calculated enhancement tends to produce the most satisfying long-term outcomes. Adding excessive volume may look dramatic initially, but it often compromises balance and can affect how results age over time. A Brazilian Butt Lift focused on controlled enhancement allows the transferred fat to integrate more naturally and adapt better to future body changes.

The Role of Surgeon Experience in Shape and Symmetry

Achieving symmetry and balance in a Brazilian Butt Lift requires more than technical execution—it demands surgical judgment developed through experience. Precise fat placement, attention to contour lines, and continuous intraoperative assessment are essential to creating a smooth, natural shape. This level of detail is what separates refined results from overdone appearances.

Recovery and the Evolution of Results Over Time

It is also important to understand that results from a Brazilian Butt Lift are not immediate. During recovery, swelling gradually subsides and the transferred fat stabilizes. Over the following months, the shape becomes more defined and natural-looking. Proper postoperative care and realistic expectations are key to appreciating the outcome, which should feel like a natural extension of the patient’s own body rather than an artificial change.

Dr. David Delgado Brazilian butt lift 8

Dr. David Delgado Brazilian butt lift 4

Dr. David Delgado Brazilian butt lift 3

schedule a consultation here

As plastic surgeon, my professional path has been defined by formal academic training in plastic surgery, continuous medical education, and strict adherence to national and international standards. I am fully certified and perform my procedures exclusively in JCI-accredited operating rooms (Interquirófanos), where patient safety, surgical protocols, and clinical control are non-negotiable. This environment allows me to apply evidence-based techniques with the highest level of precision and responsibility, particularly in procedures as technically demanding as the Brazilian Butt Lift.

My practice is centered on patients, both local and international, who seek natural results achieved through ethical and personalized care. Every surgical plan is tailored to the individual’s anatomy, goals, and safety considerations—never based on trends or exaggerated ideals. Medellín has become a recognized destination for high-quality plastic surgery, but true excellence depends on qualified specialists who prioritize realistic outcomes, medical integrity, and long-term well-being over volume or promises.