Mini BBL vs BBL: 4 Key Differences
Mini BBL vs BBL: What’s the difference?
This a common question and, fortunately, one that is easily answered! In this article, we’ll go over the four main differences between mini BBL surgery and BBL surgery. Let’s start by defining each procedure in turn.
What Is a BBL?
BBL stands for Brazilian butt lift. The main goal of this fat transfer procedure is to widen the hips and/or add volume and create projection in the buttocks. But the overall goal is to redistribute fat on the body to create an entirely more attractive silhouette.
This is achieved by reducing excess fat on the abdomen (and sometimes elsewhere depending on the patient’s anatomy) and increasing the size of the hips and buttocks. Fat is literally taken out of the abdomen via liposuction and reinjected into the butt and hips.
Sometimes with a Brazilian butt lift procedure, the hips and buttocks are simply reshaped with the transferred fat. For example, the transferred fat may be used to fill in hip dips or correct asymmetries. In other cases, considerably more fat will be used to add noticeable volume to the buttocks. The buttocks can be reshaped to project outwardly more (creating a more athletic result) or to widen the hips (a curvier “hourglass” result).
What Is a Mini BBL?
A mini BBL or mini Brazilian butt lift (also called a skinny mini BBL, petite BBL, or skinny BBL) is a BBL as described above, but for patients who are thinner and have less overall body fat.
Essentially, a mini BBL surgery reshapes a patient’s body with a smaller amount of fat. Mini BBL patients don’t have a lot of excess fat to begin with, yet they are typically unhappy with the way that fat is distributed. So, a mini BBL can correct this problem.
More specifically, there are four main differences between a mini BBL and a BBL:
BBL vs Mini BBL: 4 Key Differences
#1 – Patients are naturally thinner.
Any BBL patient should be at a stable weight. But the difference with mini BBL patients is that they are thinner to begin with, so they don’t have as much fat to work with.
Of course, patients must be within the proper weight range for any type of fat transfer surgeries. Goal weights and goal BMIs for this surgery vary depending on the specific anatomy of the patient and their goals, so you’ll want to book a consultation to know if you are a good candidate.
#2 – The goal is a change in fat distribution and more curves.
When compared with typical BBL results, mini BBL results tend to be less dramatic overall. But this isn’t usually a problem because the real goal with this surgery is not to “gain weight” around the buttocks and hips, but to reshape the way the patient’s entire midsection appears.
Often, even if a patient is thin with a lower BMI, they may have extra fat around their midsection and not as much fat as they would like on their hips and thighs. A mini BBL is a minimally invasive procedure that can shift this fat.
As with a standard Brazilian butt lift, we will remove fat from the waist and back area (and other areas if needed) and transfer that harvested fat to the buttocks and hips. If you look at mini BBL before and after photos, you’ll see that the fat is simply “shifted”.
#3 – Patients must still have enough fat to “harvest”.
While thin patients can certainly undergo a BBL fat transfer procedure with a mini BBL, they still must have adequate excess fat deposits on their body so that this fat can be removed with liposuction and shifted to the hip and buttocks area.
Sometimes, this knowledge can lead thin patients who desire a BBL to think that they must gain weight before they can undergo fat transfer procedures. But this isn’t the case for most patients. You do need some amount of extra fat, but most patients do have an adequate amount without needing to gain weight.
#4 – Fat is taken from several areas of the body, not just the abdomen.
To make up for the fact that many mini BBL patients don’t have a lot of excess fat around their abdomens — as is the case with many traditional BBL patients — your surgeon may use liposuction on other areas of the body to harvest fat. For example, fat harvesting can be performed on the arms, back, thighs, or elsewhere.
FAQs: Mini BBL and BBL Surgeries
How long does it take to recover from a mini BBL procedure?
Two weeks is the average initial recovery time after a mini BBL. During your mini BBL recovery time, bruising, swelling, and some discomfort are to be expected. You will not be able to sit on your buttocks directly for two weeks, and you also must typically wait this long before you can return to light exercise.
How much is a BBL compared to a mini BBL?
Generally speaking, because both procedures aim to achieve the same goals, mini BBL cost and traditional BBL cost will be comparable. This applies to most cases, but all plastic surgeries are different. To get an accurate BBL price quote, please book a consultation
How much fat do I need for a mini BBL?
Patients must be examined in person by a board certified plastic surgeon to know for sure if they have sufficient body fat to undergo a mini Brazilian butt lift BBL. Please schedule a consultation to see if you are a good candidate for this surgical procedure.
Request Your Consultation Today
Often, if you are unhappy with your body shape, you don’t need to gain or lose weight to look and feel your best! Mini Brazilian butt lift surgery is an excellent plastic surgery for patients who are at or near their goal weight but who want to change their body fat composition.
To learn more about fat grafting and mini BBL surgery, please schedule a consultation appointment with double board certified plastic surgeon Dr. David Sieber today.
