Wondering what is BMI and what does my BMI have to be for a BBL? Get the answers to all your queries in this article
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Are you planning to have a BBL, but several questions are clouding your thoughts? BBL is a surgical procedure where fat from different areas of your body is taken and injected into the hip and buttocks area. It is a popular surgery in the present day.
However, you must ensure that you follow the pre-operative guidelines of the surgery and pay special attention to the recovery procedure. Read on as we answer the questions related to BBL and how your BMI can affect the surgery.

What Is the BMI Chart for BBL Surgery?
BMI is an essential factor that decides if you are fit for BBL. You can calculate your BMI as follows:
BMI or Body Mass Index = Weight in kilograms/ (Height in centimeters)^2.
You can also get your BMI here by entering your height and weight.
Below is a BMI chart for BBL surgery, which explains what your BMI is telling you about how good a candidate you are for BBL.
BMI | Category | BBL Appropriate? |
<18.5 | Underweight | Not appropriate for BBL |
18.5 – 24.9 | Normal | Mini BBL or Skinny BBL |
25 – 29.9 | Overweight | BBL |
30-34.5 | Obese | BBL |
>34 | Highly Obese | Not appropriate for BBL |
People with BMI lower than 18.5 are not suited for normal BBL. Due to the lack of fat cells in your body, you might consider gaining a bit of weight for BBL.
If your BMI is between 18.5-24.9, then you might consider getting a mini BBL or a skinny BBL. All other things being ok, people with BMI above 22 are ideally ok for normal BBL as well.
If your BMI is 25 to 29.9, you are at low risk of complications during or post your surgery. If you do not have any other illness and your BMI is within 30 to 34.9, you can still be at a lower risk of complications.
If your BMI is further high, up to 40, you are at higher risk for operative and post-operative complications. And if the BMI is higher than 50, you are at maximum risk of any operative and post-operative complications.
Is It Safe To Have a BBL on a Fat Person?
BBL for a fat person is not impossible, but you need to consider some factors before deciding to go ahead with the surgery. If you are overweight, the chances of having complications are somewhat higher than a person with a normal BMI.
However, if there are no other health problems, you can still go ahead with the BBL. But it is suggested that you take a doctor’s opinion before going ahead with it.
Furthermore, the final result of the BBL in a person with a normal BMI and a fat person might not be the same. In the case of a fat person, it might not be as prominent.

What Is the BMI for Lipo 360 and BBL?
For lipo 360 and BBL, the safest BLI would be 25 to 29. Surgeons generally check your BMI before the surgery and confirm if you are good to go for the procedure.
So if you are wondering what does my BMI has to be for a BBL? Ideally, it should not be more than 29.
What Are the Steps Involved for a BBL?
BBL procedure comprises some simple steps. They are as follows:
- Based on your preference, the doctor either gives local anesthesia or general anesthesia.
- Liposuction is used to remove fat from the body through small incisions using a small tube.
- The fat obtained is then purified and inserted into the buttocks region, where around 4 to 5 incisions are done to insert the fat.
- The incisions are closed up, and a compression garment is used on the area to control the bleeding.
What Are the Precautions To Take Before and After a BBL?
Even though BBL is a common procedure these days, there are a few precautions you must take before you go ahead with your BBL surgery. Some of the tips for a BBL are:
- You must measure your BMI before your surgery and consult your doctor well in advance to understand if you are a suitable candidate for the surgery.
- Eating healthy is another important thing before a BBL. If you are underweight, you must take the necessary portions of fat and protein to reach the weight to carry out the BBL. If you are overweight, you must restrict your diet to lean meat and low carbohydrate-containing foods. If you have a normal BMI, you must still maintain a healthy diet to ensure that you do not raise any health complications and have the perfect results from your surgery.
- Do not take up too many recreational activities a couple of weeks before your BBL surgery.
- Avoid smoking and drinking at least a couple of weeks before the surgery and keep it that way at least one month after the procedure.

What Are the Risk Factors Associated With BBL?
If you are planning for a Brazilian Butt Lift, you must understand the risk factors associated with it too. Some of the common risk factors associated with a BBL are:
- Formation of blood pockets under the skin, known as Hematoma
- Formation of blood clots
- Nerve damage
- Reaction to anesthesia
- Swelling for a prolonged period
- Infection in the operated area
- Lump formations and irregularities around the site of operation
- Under or over-correction
- Skin necrosis
How Can You Avoid the Risk Factors?
You must take all precautionary measures to ensure that you avoid or at least minimize the risk factors associated with BBL. Some of the simple steps that you can take to avoid the risk factors are as follows:
- Do not drink or smoke at least 2 weeks before the procedure. Nicotine is known to interfere with the healing process.
- Drink a lot of water as it can promote the healing process and reduce swelling.
- Do not take blood thinners for at least 1 week before the surgery. Blood thinners tend to affect the clotting property. However, discuss with your doctor before stopping the medication to avoid any associated complications.
- Do not forget to eat healthy before and after the surgery to stay fit and quicken the recovery process.

How Much Will a BBL Cost Me?
The cost for a BBL can range between $2,000 to $12,000 depending on where you are getting it done. If you are getting it done by an experienced surgeon from a clinic, it will cost you a little on the higher side of the price range. There would be some other associated charges related to the hospital visits and the like.
Wrap Up
We have tried to give an overall idea about BBL and how BMI plays an essential role in determining how the results of your BBL will be or if you would be eligible for the surgery.
If you have further questions, queries or comments about BMI, please do let us know in the comments section so that we can include them in our article.
And lastly, if you found the answers you were looking for, please share this article with others like you who are looking for similar information!
FAQs
Can you get a BBL with a BMI of 24? ›
Most surgeons recommend that candidates for a Brazilian butt lift have a BMI under 30 but above 23 or 24. This will vary depending on your body type and body fat percentage, though.
Can you get a BBL with a BMI of 20? ›The BMI you need for a BBL is similar to the body mass index patients need for any procedure. Patients should have a BMI within the “healthy” range to qualify for cosmetic surgery. That equates to a BMI of between 18.5 and 25. Patients in the overweight category (up to a BMI of 30) are also often able to benefit.
What is the minimum weight for BBL? ›There is no minimum weight for a BBL. In general, you need to be physically healthy and at a stable weight, have realistic expectations, non-smoker and your BMI needs to be 30 or less.
What BMI do you need for skinny BBL? ›Generally, people with a BMI of 22 or less need a Skinny BBL because it is more challenging to harvest enough fat for the BMI to be adequate. Your surgeon will use aggressive liposuction and possibly gather fat from other areas, such as the knees, arms, and inner thighs.
Can you get a BBL at 300 pounds? ›Answer: If you weigh 300 pounds, can you get a BBL and 360 lipo? Hello, thank you for your question. A BMI of 35 is probably the upper limit that a plastic surgeon would consider for this procedure. It is best to be within 10 pounds of your weight goal for three months prior to the BBL.
What is the ideal BMI for fat transfer? ›Generally, patients with a BMI of 22 or higher will have enough fat to achieve their desired results with fat transfer treatments. As long as you have a BMI of at least 22, and you are less than 30% over the ideal body weight, you will not need to do anything to prepare for your fat transfer treatment.
What is the lowest BMI for tummy tuck? ›What is the ideal body weight to undergo abdominoplasty?. In general, patients with body mass index equal or below to 30 are good candidates for abdominoplasty.
How do I know if I have enough fat for a BBL? ›Typically, patients who have a BMI between 23-28 have enough body fat to provide the maximum enhancement from a BBL. Liposuction is usually performed on the abdomen as most patients carry excess fat in this area. However, liposuction can harvest fat from most areas of the body.
What BMI do you need for Lipo 360? ›You will also need to have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 32 or lower as well as a hemoglobin level of 12.0 or higher. If you are not a candidate for Lipo 360, talk to Dr. BBL about other options that may work well for you. We will place you under general anesthesia before your surgery.
Can you be too small for a BBL? ›In the majority of cases, patients have enough available fat on their bodies for BBL surgery. Typically, the fat is harvested from the flanks, abdomen, or thighs. However, some exceptionally thin patients with an extremely low body fat percentage may not have an adequate amount of excess fat available for BBL.
Can I get a BBL if im overweight? ›
Is it possible to have too much fat for a BBL? What we ask for each and every one of our surgeries, is that you be at a healthy and stable weight. If you are in the middle of a weight loss journey we ask that you are within 10 lbs of your goal weight prior to undergoing this procedure, and that your BMI is under 30.
What happens if you don't have enough fat for a BBL? ›Patients may benefit from alternative options, like butt implants, if they don't have enough fat for a BBL. However, some women are not interested in implants and prefer to use their own tissue. For those patients, we may recommend butt lift surgery.
Can I get a BBL with a BMI of 40? ›BMI CALCULATOR
Masri, a BMI of up to 45 is accepted for BBL, given that a candidate doesn't have underlying health concerns.
Overall, the standard BMI for the surgery should be below 30 BMI, but it should be above 23 or 24 depending on body fat percentage and type. Make sure though that it is not above 35 BMI since it can increase the chances of complications.
What BMI do you need for a BBL in Miami? ›The ideal candidates for most BBL procedures have a body mass index (BMI) of 25-30 and benefit from the liposuction to narrow their waist or flatten their tummy.
Who is not a good candidate for BBL? ›Who Are Not Good Candidates? Usually, as long as you want to enhance the shape or size of your buttocks, you are a good candidate for this procedure. However, if you have excessive sagging or loose skin on the buttocks, then a procedure such as a butt lift surgery may be a better option for you.
Who is not a candidate for BBL? ›In general, you need to be physically healthy and at a stable weight, have realistic expectations, be a non-smoker and your BMI needs to be 30 or less.
What is the maximum BMI for liposuction? ›There is not a set maximum weight for liposuction. In other words, liposuction can technically be performed safely on patients of any size or BMI. Still, most plastic surgeons do have a cut off BMI of around 30 for their patients.
What BMI is more attractive? ›(28) found that a BMI of 20 was considered the most attractive, while Swami et al. (29), and MacNeill and Best (30), found that an underweight body was most frequently selected.
What is the highest BMI for tummy tuck? ›That noted that a good surgery candidate will have a BMI of 30 or below. Some surgeons will operate on patients as high as BMI 35-39 but most will NOT operate on a patient of BMI 40 or above. If you are overweight or in the obesity BMI range of 30 or above, you're less likely to be a suitable candidate for surgery.
How to lower my BMI? ›
A balanced, calorie-controlled diet is the ticket to a healthy BMI – the safe way. By making simple healthier food swaps, reducing portion sizes and cutting down on high-calorie food and drink, you're more likely to reach a healthy BMI steadily, and keep the extra weight off.
What BMI is too low for surgery? ›While elevated body mass index (BMI) is now well known to increase surgical and anesthetic risks such as surgical site infection and difficult intubation, patients with low BMI (<20.5) may not be appreciated as having increased perioperative risk.
What is the lowest BMI for surgery? ›Morbid obesity is defined as a BMI score of 40 or more. You typically qualify for bariatric surgery if you have a BMI of 35 or greater, with specific significant health problems like Type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea or high blood pressure.
Can you get a tummy tuck at 220 pounds? ›Whether you're looking for a large tummy tuck at 150 pounds, 220 pounds, or even 250 pounds, Dr. LaBarbera can help you attain the desired results. Plus-sized abdominoplasties have become one of the most popular cosmetic procedures for post-pregnancy women, as well as men and women who have a high body mass index.
Can your body reject a BBL? ›The Brazilian Butt Lift is not dangerous because of the fat that is used. The fat that is injected is your own fat; your body cannot reject this fat, and it is rare to cause an infection. Instead, it is the placement of the injection that causes the issues with the Brazilian Butt Lift.
Why is my BBL getting flat? ›The main reason that patients see volume loss after a Brazilian Butt Lift is because most practitioners use traditional liposuction techniques to harvest fat. When they use that technique, the cannula literally rips out fat cells, almost like physical extraction. This trauma causes the nicking of the fat cell membrane.
How do I make sure fat survives after BBL? ›- Reduce Pressure On The Rear. The fat that was just transferred is brand new and needs time to develop a blood supply. ...
- Eat A Healthy Diet. ...
- Wear Proper Clothing. ...
- Wear Your Compression Garment. ...
- Get Active, But Slowly. ...
- Get Plenty Of Rest.
While there aren't many specific “requirements” for liposuction, there are a few important factors to consider. The ideal Sono Bello patient is: At or near their ideal weight (within 30%) Body mass index (BMI) of less than 42.
Does a BBL sag with age? ›When a Brazilian butt lift is performed by a trained and experienced professional, BBL results can last many years. However, patients should remember that this body contouring treatment does not stop the normal aging process. Your bottom may flatten over time or change as a result of weight loss, exercise, and diet.
What age should you not get a BBL? ›There is not an age limit for a Brazilian Butt Lift, as long as you are in good health, with good skin elasticity. Many of our Brazilian Butt Lift patients have gotten the shapely “behind” they have always wanted with a Brazilian Butt Lift in their 40s, 50s and even 60s!
Should I lose weight before BBL? ›
There's a reason why plastic surgeons recommend you be close to your ideal weight before you undergo a Brazilian butt lift procedure. And that's because, if you lose a significant amount of weight after undergoing a fat transfer to buttocks, you may also see that you'll lose weight and volume in your buttocks.
What happens to a BBL after 10 years? ›Ten years after your BBL surgery, you can expect to have the same desired butt from your cosmetic procedure. However, you should stick to a healthy weight and avoid any drastic changes to ensure your butt stays plump and perky and your body remains proportional.
How do skinny people get bbls? ›A Skinny BBL uses liposuction of more areas than a traditional BBL because one or two areas of the body will not have enough fat deposits to be used for the enhancement. This means that liposuction of multiple areas will need to occur to ensure that enough fat is gathered.
What is the ideal BMI for Lipo 360 and BBL? ›Ideally, you should have a BMI range of 18.5 to 29.9 for any surgery, including BBL. There are also plastic surgeons who may do BBL surgery on patients with a higher BMI as high as 35.
Can you get a BBL with a low BMI? ›Some of the factors that can make a candidate suitable for a Skinny BBL include: Candidates who are thin or 'skinny' Patients who have a low BMI of less than 25. Patients who are 'too skinny' for a traditional BBL can often be suitable candidates for a Skinny BBL.
Should I lose weight if my BMI is 24? ›At a BMI of 24 you are at the high end of the healthy range. Even a small amount of weight gain could put you into the overweight category, at which point your risk of developing chronic disease increases. You should consider a weight management plan to prevent weight gain.
What do you do if you are too skinny for a BBL? ›In most cases when a patient does not have enough fat for a BBL, Dr. Sajan will recommend a non-surgical Brazilian butt lift. As one of the innovators of this procedure, Dr. Sajan offers many different non-surgical BBL options to suit every patient and their goals.
What makes you not a candidate for BBL? ›In general, you need to be physically healthy and at a stable weight, have realistic expectations, be a non-smoker and your BMI needs to be 30 or less.
How can I lower my BMI quickly? ›A balanced, calorie-controlled diet is the ticket to a healthy BMI – the safe way. By making simple healthier food swaps, reducing portion sizes and cutting down on high-calorie food and drink, you're more likely to reach a healthy BMI steadily, and keep the extra weight off.
How do you get your BMI down fast? ›- REDUCE YOUR DAILY CALORIE INTAKE. The basic rule of lowering your BMI, and to maintain a healthy weight generally, is to consume the same or slightly less calories than you burn. ...
- CUT DOWN ON SALT. ...
- GET YOUR HEART PUMPING.
What foods lower your BMI? ›
- Whole grains (whole wheat, steel cut oats, brown rice, quinoa)
- Vegetables (a colorful variety-not potatoes)
- Whole fruits (not fruit juices)
- Nuts, seeds, beans, and other healthful sources of protein (fish and poultry)
- Plant oils (olive and other vegetable oils)