How much fat is injected with the Brazilian butt lift?

Posted on | Modified on | by Dr. Ricardo L. Rodriguez

I have been performing the Brazilian butt lift for almost a decade. With this procedure, I remove fat from unwanted areas with liposuction, and then reinject into your buttocks. Patients are now doing so much research, that I often get the question about how much fat is injected into the buttocks.

To answer the question, I looked at my last 100 procedures to find out the average amount of fat which is injected per patient, per buttock cheek.  Before I give you the answer, you should know that the final amount injected will NOT be the amount which is removed.

my average patient has 580 cc fat injected into each buttock cheek

– Dr. Rodriguez

The amount reinjected will only be  a fraction of the amount of lipoaspirate that I have removed. How much depends on several factors, and I only keep the ‘good fat.’ The rest of the lipoaspirate contains dead cells , blood, and other components that are not suitable for a fat graft. So I may end up reinjecting a fat concentrate that is anywhere from 1/3 to 1/2 of the original lipoaspirate.

It is important that I inject only healthy and viable cells that will yield a successful fat graft. When proper processing and injection techniques are used, the fat graft has a much better chance that it will ‘take’ and be long lasting. Having a permanent fat graft is the only way to avoid a need for ‘touch ups’.

Average amount of fat injected into buttocks

600 cc fat is injected into each buttock cheek.

The average statistics on my last 100 Brazilian butt lift cases are as follows:

  • Average Fat Injected (both buttock cheeks): 1160 cc
  • Average age at surgery: 37 years
  • Average height of patient:   5′ 3″
  • Average weight of patient: 151 pounds

Therefore, my average patient gets approximately 580 cc of fat injected into each buttocks cheek. To give you an idea of how much 580 cc is equivalent to, we placed this amount of crushed ice into a plastic bag. The photograph to the left shows that this quantity is a substantial amount!

Please see our before and after photos of Brazilian butt lift patients and to learn how much fat was injected into different patients. If you have any questions, I am happy to answer them here.

Wondering if a Brazilian butt lift is right for you?

I am a board certified plastic surgeon, boarded by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and I have been in practice for more than 25 years. I am also a member of the Gluteal Safety Task force, which issues recommendations for safe Brazilian butt lift procedures. Contact Us to schedule your in-office or virtual consultation. Or just give us a call at 410-494-8100! Note: Virtual consults can also be used to get second opinions.

By Dr. Ricardo L. Rodriguez MD Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Cosmeticsurg Baltimore, Maryland Ricardo L. Rodriguez on American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

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46 thoughts on “How much fat is injected with the Brazilian butt lift?”

    • Dr. Ricardo L Rodriguez says:

      Tarmisha: If you are 5'5" and weigh 200 pounds, I think a reshaping of your butt will give you a great result, and you may need little if any fat grafting.

  • Tarmisha Gee says:

    I have a nice butt already. I want it lifted a little because gravity is setting in. Could I use have of that amount in my butt. Like 240cc injected into each cheek.

    • Dr. Ricardo L Rodriguez says:

      Tarmisha: The butt does not necessarily "drop". What happens is that you gain fat in the love handle area and the butt looks longer like an oval instead of round. See this blog post to read more about it. We can inject as much or as little as you need but usually the most important part of a butt lift is getting the shape right.

    • Dr. Ricardo L Rodriguez says:

      Yadira: Thank you for your interest. We will let Kelly at kelly@cosmeticsurgery.net know and she will get in contact with you. We get many patients from out of town, so she can give you information about travel, lodging, etc.

  • Olivia says:

    Hello ? I have a question about BBL, I am a bbw who loves her curves and I’m becoming a plus size model. My biggest insecurity is my butt and I would love to try BBL to fulfill my curves. But what is the weight limit in order to get a BBL? And would the weight or how much fat that would be removed would effect the cost?

    • Dr. Ricardo L Rodriguez says:

      Olivia: I answered at two other separate sites, but yes, we can do a BBL provided your BMI is less than 35. I will let Kelly know of your interest.

  • Elba says:

    I'm a 50 year old woman in good health. Is it safe to do a BBL at my age? Is the fat from the liposuction mix with anything else. Like any type of chemical or etc.?

    • Dr. Ricardo L Rodriguez says:

      Elba: We have done several BBL's on women older than you. As long as you are in good health you will be fine. The fat is not mixed with anything else. As a matter of fact the most important thing in processing fat grafts is refining the liposuction aspirate to eliminate things we don't want (blood, dead cells, etc.) I will have Kelly at kelly@cosmeticsurg.net contact you.

  • Lisa says:

    I'm in So. Cal. and i had a bbl in 2015. That doctor and I will be goind to mediation. He put 1,360 cc's in each cheek. I was 50 at the time. I look like the long lost Kardashian. Dr. Rodriguez you do beautiful work. Thanks for also listing the cc's you put in.

  • Johnson says:

    Hey Doctor, assuming no judgment. Im wondering if its at all possible to create a hip to waist ratio somewhere in the .66-.64 range on a male? Like honestly. Much appreciated!

    • Dr. Ricardo L Rodriguez says:

      Johnson: I have done BBL with hip injections on several males. As far as getting the ratio below .7, a lot depends on your own physique presently. What is your waist to hip ratio now? A second factor is how much fat you have on your hips now. One can see occasionally increased fat deposition in the hips with hormonal therapy. But if you don't have any fat now, it may need serial injections to gradually build up the layers of tissue. Perhaps a virtual consult would help. I will give your info to Kelly at kelly@cosmeticsurg.net and she can give you more info.

  • Tina says:

    ear Dr. Ricardo L Rodriguez I have been in your consultation one year ago in Yerevan/Armenia/. I would like to know will you come here again? I'm planning to do the surgery in the beginning of october.... if you could do my surgery (Butt Augmentation) it will be great,but if not please tell me your opinion about doctor Gagik STAMBOLCYAN, can I trust him or it will be better to wait for your visit to Armenia? Thank you beforehand Tina

    • Dr. Ricardo L Rodriguez says:

      Tina: I answered this question in another post. I may be going back to Yerevan but I cannot tell you exactly when.

  • Deana says:

    I received th brazzian butt lift but my doctor didn't inject fat in or around my lower butt, he injected 1400 into but will that give me that lift I'm looking for only if he injected on th side and top??

    • Dr. Ricardo L Rodriguez says:

      Deana: I have no way of knowing without seeing pictures. You should wait a full 2-3 months after surgery to know what the true result will look like

  • Trinity says:

    I want a BBL and hips to match however you are far away. Do you have any recommendations for a Dr I'm Florida. Out of the Dr sites I have looked at yours is the most informative and I feel confident you will do a great job. I am looking to get my BBL within a year or two. I'm waiting to graduate first. I'm 30 and 216 at the moment 5'5'

    • Dr. Ricardo L Rodriguez says:

      Trinity: I cannot give out recommendations because I just don't know how other guys do the surgery. Your best bet is to do the research and look at places like RealSelf that have patients who have done the surgery by various surgeons. I'll give Kelly at kelly@cosmeticsurgery.net your address so she can contact you. We do get lots of out of town patients, from as far away as Europe and Asia.

  • Kalynn says:

    Hi, I'm just doing some research. I hope to be getting a BBL within the next year or so. I'm 19, about 5'3 and I'm about 140 pounds. I'm fine with my buttons size I just want my hips to come out more to match my butt. Could a surgeon do that for me?

    • Dr. Ricardo L Rodriguez says:

      Kalynn: We do this a lot. We inject into the hips every time we do a BbL and of course in a few patients we do it just in the hips. Contact Kelly so we can do a virtual consult and I will take a look at your pictures and decide what is realistic for you. I don't think you will need to gain weight to do this, I think I will find more than enough for your objectives. Contact Kelly@cosmeticsurg.net We are looking forward to hearing from you!

  • Drew Payne says:

    I weigh around 135 pounds, and am 5'1. I am not physically over-weight, but i am not physically fit either. Do i have to weigh a certain amount to get the Brazilian Butt Lift Surgery?

    • Dr. Ricardo L Rodriguez says:

      Drew: For females, the Brazilian Butt Lift is not so much about how much fat you can inject, but about the right proportions between waist and hips. The ideal ratio is .7, so let's say if you measure 70 centimeters (27 1/2 inches) at the waist and 100 cm (39 1/4 inches) at the hips your waist to hip ratio is ideal- 70/100= .7 For males, there is not that much need for get as males usually just want more fullness and projection, not necessarily hips. I have done Brazilian Butt Lifts on many patients under 135 pounds, including a 4'11" patient who weighed 95 pounds. I'll let Kelly at kelly@cosmeticsurg.net know of your interest.

  • Iris Rivera says:

    Hello, I am interested in getting the Brazilian butt lift. I presently have but implants that are sold & this was extremely painful when I had this done over 10 years ago in Costa Rica. It is not an ideal look. I would like to get this Brazilian butt life & not sure if this can be done since I already have this implant? Another concern is the actual amount of time I would require to be out of work as I commute to work via railroad and in addition, I'm an accountant & sit all day in front of a computer. I have enough vacation time - I just need to know how long I would require to be out of work, (also considering that I am an office worker-sitting all day long). Overall, what would be the cost of the surgery? I also would need to make arrangements with a place to stay since I live in Nassau county, Long Island, NY. This would be an added expense for me & I would need someone to possibly help me shower etc for the time I would be in Baltimore. I have put on weight so though I'm about 5'4 ~ I weigh about 157 pounds so I'm sure you may be able to get enough fat but most surely not from my legs as they are thin.

    • Dr. Ricardo L Rodriguez says:

      Iris: Your case is complicated because we have to decide wether you want to leave the implants in or whether you want them removed. I think this is something we should decide beforehand. As for recovery, you need 3 weeks in which you do no sitting at all. I think it would be better if I got to evaluate pictures and speak with you. Kelly can help you organize a virtual consult. Contact her at Kelly@cosmeticsurg.net. Looking forward to hearing from you!

    • Dr. Ricardo L Rodriguez says:

      Isatu: Yes, but I would be uncomfortable if the BMI is over 34 mostly for anesthesia delivery reasons. We would love to help you! Contact Kelly at kelly@cosmeticsurg.net and she can answer more questions for you.

  • Charlize says:

    I am 5'7" and have skinny legs but large bust will I be able to get a more hour glass shape when my is butt done,I need hips

    • Dr. Ricardo L Rodriguez says:

      Charlize: Augmentation of the hips is a big part of our procedure. We have done several cases where the main part of the procedure is augmentation is adding to the hips. Contact Kelly at kelly@cosmeticsurg.net and she'd be happy to help you. We're looking forward to hearing from you!

  • Kay says:

    Hello dr, I have question, I am 5.2 and weight 120.. Can I still do it with this weight? Or would I have to gain more weight? Thanks

    • Dr. Ricardo L Rodriguez says:

      Kay: You are fine. I have done many patients your size, and even one who was 95 pounds! It's all a matter of proportions and since an average woman has anywhere from 17-30% body fat I can always find what I need. Give us a call, we'd be more than happy to help. You do not need to gain weight, unless you are dieting now in which case I would just tell you to eat regularly to settle at your natural weight. I'll have Kelly at kelly@cosmeticsurg contact you

  • erika says:

    Hello dr I have a question how long should I wait to be able to sleep on my back again after a bbl? Also should I know how many cc I was injected if I already had the procedure done ?or not really thank you in advance

    • Dr. Ricardo L Rodriguez says:

      Erika: I generally advise my patients to wait at least three weeks before they sleep on their backs. The reason is that that is how long it takes for the fat to be really taken in by the body by most everybody. To me it is not as important to know how many cc's were injected as much as what you look like at the end of three months. Hope this helps!

  • Valerie says:

    How safe is the procedure and what percentage of patients get the satisfaction they expected. How long does the augmentation last?

    • Dr. Ricardo L Rodriguez says:

      Valerie: We tabulated our results last year for an international meeting and the complication rate was extremely low. In over 250 cases only one infection (in the abdomen). No redo's because fat had reabsorbed. No fat necrosis. So yes, it has been VERY safe. Once the cells are grafted, they are permanently there. Even as cells die, they get replenished by the stem cells in the graft. I'll have Kelly get in touch with you and you can get a lot of information from her. Hope this helps!

    • Dr. Ricardo L Rodriguez says:

      That depends on many things. 1) Different people have fat that reacts differently during processing. For example I can get 500cc of lipoaspirate from one person out of which I can get 200cc of usable fat graft, and yet taking the same amount (500cc) from another person I might only get 100cc of usable fat graft 2) Fat graft survival is not the same for all persons. Sometimes I may put 500cc yet 400cc survives, yet on another person I put in 500cc and only 300cc survives. 3) More important than how many cc's you can put in is "Is it going to look pretty?" You don't want a big shapeless or unattractive butt. For that the waist to hip ratio is more important. I make sure during the lipo part that I create a beautiful butt, then I augment that new pretty butt.

    • Dr. Ricardo L Rodriguez says:

      Shirlene: Whenever you are ready contact Kelly at kelly@cosmeticsurg.net We'd love to hear from you!

  • S.W. says:

    I was wondering I'm abt 130 lbs and I'm 5'5 but I don't think I have that much fat, but I also don't want my butt looking huge either. Would I be a good candidate for the butt lift?

    • Dr. Ricardo L Rodriguez says:

      S.W. Yes I think you would be a great candidate. We have done women who weigh much less than you. Remember, it's a game of proportions. Send us pictures for a virtual consult and I can tell you in detail what can be accomplished specifically in your case.

  • Tamika Walker says:

    I really want to get the brazillian butt lift. If you can call me and just give me More information that would be wonderful, (443)-469-2571

    • Dr. Ricardo L Rodriguez says:

      Tamika: Contact Kelly at kelly@cosmeticsurg.net Do it fast because we have a special for Dec. and January! Hope to see you soon!