What’s the Average Cost of a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL)?

If achieving a rounder, curvier backside is on your wish list, you’ve likely explored the possibility of a Brazilian butt lift (BBL) procedure. 

Let’s face it: It’s difficult to escape the many people displaying the results of their BBLs on social media. Look no further than the video-based platform TikTok, where the hashtag #BBL has gained about 10 billion views. But, as alluring as social media may make it seem, a BBL is an expensive procedure that can also be dangerous if you don’t take the proper steps.

What is a Brazilian butt lift (BBL)?

A BBL is a cosmetic surgery for men and women that can enhance the proportions of your lower body. The term “Brazilian butt lift” is a misnomer, because the procedure does not lift your buttocks; it augments the shape of them using your own fat. A plastic surgeon may refer to this procedure as gluteal augmentation with fat grafting or, simply, gluteal fat grafting.

About 28,000 BBL procedures were performed in the U.S. in 2019, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). In 2020, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly 22,000 BBL procedures were performed. Approximately 2% of the BBLs were for men, and 98% were for women.

A BBL may be done in an office-based surgery suite, an outpatient facility, or a hospital, typically under general anesthesia. 

It’s important to note that a BBL is different from buttocks implants, which involve placing silicone implants in the buttocks. It’s also not the same as a buttocks lift, a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the buttocks without adding volume.  

How much is a BBL?

Based on figures from the ASPS, the average surgeon’s fee for a BBL was around $4,800 in 2020. But your total cost for a BBL can easily add up to $6,000 to $18,000, depending on your surgeon’s experience and other factors. 

One medical doctor estimates that a safe BBL procedure can cost anywhere from $12,000 to $18,000 in most parts of the U.S. if you work with a board-certified plastic surgeon. A cosmetic surgeon in Tulsa, Oklahoma, estimates that the procedure can cost around $6,000 to $15,000 if you receive high-quality care. 

The total cost you will pay for the procedure will depend on the following: 

• Geographic location of where you have the surgery  

• Hospital or facility fees

• Anesthesia

• Prescription medications 

• BBL pillow, which takes the pressure off your buttocks as you recover

• Lymphatic massage, if recommended by your surgeon

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• How to prepare for a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL): Here’s what you should know about this cosmetic procedure, including the risks and recovery time.

• Can I use my HSA? A health savings account (HSA) is a tax-advantaged account that you can use to pay for qualifying medical expenditures. Find out if you can use HSA funds to pay for cosmetic procedures.

• Going under anesthesia: Calm your fears about general anesthesia with our list of things you should know about the process and how safe it can be.

BBL prices are typically lower if the procedure is performed by a cosmetic surgeon in a free-standing clinic instead of by a plastic surgeon. Cosmetic surgeons may or may not be board-certified in their area of expertise, while plastic surgeons are often board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. The board-certified status requires more rigorous training and expertise, which leads to plastic surgeons charging higher fees. 

BBL costs by state

The state in which you receive your BBL will have a huge impact on the price you pay. 

For example, in Miami, you can typically get a BBL below the average price. A BBL may cost anywhere from $4,000 to $10,000 — with the average cost being around $6,525 if you are working with a board-certified surgeon. In Atlanta, the average cost of the procedure is about $6,500 to $10,000. 

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In Long Island, New York, you might pay around $8,000 to $10,000 for a BBL, while someone in Los Angeles can expect to spend closer to $16,000 to $24,000.

Does health insurance cover the cost of a BBL?

A BBL is an elective cosmetic surgery — a procedure that enhances your self-image — and is usually not medically necessary. In general, health insurance plans don’t cover cosmetic procedures under most circumstances. Neither Aetna nor Medicare, for example, covers buttocks augmentation.

Additionally, cosmetic surgery is not considered a qualified medical expense under health savings accounts (HSAs). This means that you may not be able to use your HSA funds to pay for a BBL. 

So, if you’re considering a BBL, expect to pay the full cost. If you have the funds readily available or have saved them up over time, paying cash upfront is a smart way to avoid interest costs. 

While some plastic surgeons require you to pay in full before the procedure, many offer financing plans. Alternatively, you may want to look into using a medical credit card, such as the one available through CareCredit. Personal loans can be costly, depending on the interest rates and financing terms. 

What factors affect how much a BBL costs?

In addition to your geographic location, what you pay for a BBL may be affected by:

• Experience and qualifications of your surgeon: A board-certified plastic surgeon with many years of experience may charge more than a provider who is newly in practice or not certified. 

• Type of liposuction: This includes the technique used and number of areas where fat will be harvested.

• Facility: You may face higher costs if the procedure is performed in a hospital instead of an outpatient facility or an office-based surgery suite.

• Followup care: Typically, your postoperative followup visits are included in the cost estimate you receive. However, if you develop complications and require additional visits, be prepared to pay extra. 

Additionally, if you’re not satisfied with the results of your BBL, you’ll likely have to pay for any corrective surgeries yourself.  

How can the risks associated with a BBL affect what you pay?

It may surprise you to learn that your health insurance may not cover care for complications associated with an elective cosmetic procedure. 

If you develop complications requiring additional treatments or a trip to the hospital after a BBL, you may have to pay for these expenses out of pocket. Coverage varies by carrier, so it’s a good idea to contact your health insurance plan to understand what is covered before moving forward with your surgery. 

You can also look into companies that offer insurance for complications associated with elective cosmetic surgery. If you choose to purchase this type of insurance, your plastic surgeon may be able to help you select the appropriate coverage.  

How does the price of a Brazilian butt lift compare to butt implants and injections?

In its 2020 report, the ASPS lists the average surgeon’s fee for buttocks implants at around $5,300. The report also mentions that there were less than 1,200 of these procedures performed in the U.S. that year. 

Although buttocks implants are more expensive than a BBL, implants may be a better option for someone who doesn’t have enough fat to harvest for augmentation. But some people believe a BBL has a more natural feel and look than buttocks implants. 

Butt injections, also known as a non-surgical BBL, are a minimally invasive option. The average physician’s fee for butt injections can range from $684 to $2,914, depending on the type of dermal filler injected. The most common dermal fillers used for this procedure are Sculptra and Radiesse, which both work to stimulate collagen production.

Are there any cost-effective alternatives to a Brazilian butt lift?

If a BBL is off the table for you — either due to the cost or because you’re not a good candidate — there are other, potentially less expensive ways to still achieve a more voluptuous derriere. These include:

• Liposuction: Removing excess fat from your waist may help accentuate your buttocks and give you a distinctive hourglass figure. Expect to pay about $3,600 for this procedure. 

• Emsculpt: This is a non-surgical treatment that uses electromagnetic energy to generate a series of muscle contractions that help tone your glutes — and your abdomen. A total of four initial treatments is recommended. The surgeon’s fee for Emsculpt treatments is approximately $1,400.

• Butt injections: As previously mentioned, dermal filler injections such as Sculptra and Radiesse can be a lower-cost non-surgical option. However, results are not permanent, and followup injections may be needed to maintain the results.

• Exercise: Don’t forget the benefits of exercising to help firm and strengthen your glutes. This option can be free but requires time, discipline, and effort. Talk to your healthcare provider about your plan to start an exercise program to be sure it is safe. 

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Written by:

Maggie Aime, MSN, RN

Maggie's writing brings health topics to life for readers at any stage of life. With over 25 years in healthcare and a passion for education, she creates content that informs, inspires, and empowers.

Edited by:

Charlene Rhinehart, CPA

Charlene Rhinehart, CPA, is a personal finance editor at GoodRx. She has been a certified public accountant for over a decade.

Reviewed by:

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

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