BBL vs. Hip Dips Surgery: Which Body Contouring Procedure Is Right for You?
You’ve done the squats. You’ve tried every exercise that promises to fill out your silhouette. Yet no matter what you do, those inward curves along the outer thighs — known as hip dips — remain unchanged. Or maybe you simply want a fuller, rounder backside that no amount of diet or training can deliver. Either way, you’re not alone, and the good news is that modern plastic surgery offers effective solutions for both concerns.
The two most commonly discussed options are the Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) and targeted hip dip augmentation. While they share some similarities — both reshape the hip and buttock region — they are distinctly different procedures with different goals, techniques, and ideal candidates. Understanding which one is right for your body requires an honest look at your anatomy, your expectations, and your priorities.
At her private practice in Miami, Dr. Nidia De Jesus, MD — a board-certified plastic surgeon — helps patients every day navigate exactly this decision. This guide breaks down both procedures so you can walk into your consultation fully informed.
What Are Hip Dips?
Hip dips (also called violin hips or trochanteric depressions) are the natural inward indentations found just below the hip bone on the outer thigh. They occur because of the relative position of your hip bone, femur, and the soft tissue distribution in that area. Some people have barely noticeable hip dips; others have quite pronounced depressions that create a violin-like curve rather than a smooth, rounded hip line.
The key fact: hip dips are entirely normal and anatomical. They are not a sign of being out of shape or having a body that needs “fixing.” However, many patients feel self-conscious about them and wish for a smoother, more curved hip profile — and that is a completely valid reason to explore your options.
What Is a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL)?
The Brazilian Butt Lift is a fat transfer procedure that uses your own body fat to add volume, shape, and projection to the buttocks. Fat is harvested via liposuction from areas like the abdomen, flanks, back, or thighs, processed to isolate pure fat cells, and then carefully injected into the buttocks and hips in multiple layers to create a natural-looking result.
A BBL does two things at once:
- Removes fat from areas where you have excess — slimming those donor zones
- Adds volume and lift to the buttocks and, when fat is placed laterally, can also soften hip dips
This dual sculpting effect is part of what makes the BBL so popular. You’re not just gaining a fuller backside — you’re also contouring your waist and hips for an overall hourglass silhouette. To learn more about what recovery from this procedure involves, see Dr. De Jesus’s complete BBL recovery guide.
What a BBL Can and Cannot Fix
A BBL is excellent for adding fullness to the upper and mid-buttocks, improving projection, and creating roundness. When fat is strategically placed along the outer hip, it can reduce the appearance of hip dips by filling in some of that lateral depression. However, a BBL is primarily designed for buttock volume — it is not specifically targeted at hip dips, and it requires that you have enough donor fat elsewhere on your body.
What Is Hip Dip Surgery?
Hip dip augmentation is a procedure designed specifically to fill the indentation along the outer hip. It can be performed using one of two techniques:
1. Fat Transfer to the Hip Dips
Like a BBL, fat is harvested from another area of your body and injected precisely into the hip dip zone. This is often the preferred approach because it uses your own tissue (no foreign materials), looks and feels natural, and the results can last for years once the transferred fat stabilizes. The catch: you need sufficient donor fat.
2. Hip Implants
For very thin patients who don’t have enough fat to transfer, silicone hip implants can be placed to add volume to the lateral hip area. Hip implants are less commonly performed than fat transfer because they carry a higher complication risk (including implant displacement) and require more extensive recovery. Most surgeons — including Dr. De Jesus — prefer fat transfer when anatomy allows.
BBL vs. Hip Dips Surgery: Side-by-Side Comparison
Let’s put the two procedures side by side across the factors that matter most to patients:
| Factor | Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) | Hip Dip Fat Transfer |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Goal | Buttock volume, lift, projection | Fill lateral hip depression |
| Technique | Lipo + fat injection into buttocks | Lipo + fat injection into hip dips |
| Fixes Hip Dips? | Partially (if fat placed laterally) | Yes — directly targeted |
| Adds Butt Volume? | Yes — main outcome | Minimally / not the focus |
| Fat Requirement | Moderate to high donor fat needed | Less fat needed |
| Ideal Candidate | Wants fuller backside + body contouring | Wants smoother hip curve |
| Can Be Combined? | Yes — with hip dip fill, mommy makeover, etc. | Yes — often done alongside BBL |
| Recovery | No sitting on buttocks 2-4 weeks | Avoid pressure on hips 1-2 weeks |
| Results Longevity | Long-lasting once fat stabilizes | Long-lasting once fat stabilizes |
Can You Get Both a BBL and Hip Dip Surgery at the Same Time?
Yes — and this is actually one of the most popular combinations at Dr. De Jesus’s Miami practice. Combining a BBL with hip dip augmentation in the same surgical session allows the surgeon to harvest fat once and redistribute it to both the buttocks and the lateral hip area. This approach gives patients the most comprehensive reshaping of the entire lower body in a single procedure and recovery period.
The combined procedure requires careful fat management — enough volume must be available to achieve meaningful results in both areas. During your consultation, Dr. De Jesus will assess your body composition, review your goals, and determine whether a combined approach makes sense for your anatomy.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Each Procedure?
You May Be a Better BBL Candidate If:
- Your primary goal is more volume, roundness, and lift in your buttocks
- You also want to slim specific areas (waist, abdomen, flanks) via liposuction
- You have moderate to good amounts of donor fat available
- You want a significant overall silhouette change — more of a transformation
- Hip dips are a secondary concern, not your main focus
You May Be a Better Hip Dip Surgery Candidate If:
- You’re satisfied with your buttock shape but want a smoother hip curve
- You have relatively small hip dip indentations that bother you aesthetically
- You’re a slimmer patient who doesn’t have large fat reserves but still has enough for targeted transfer
- You want a subtle refinement rather than a major transformation
What About Thin Patients?
This is one of the most common concerns: “I don’t have much extra fat — can I still get a BBL or hip dip surgery?” The short answer is: it depends. Dr. De Jesus evaluates each patient individually. Some thinner patients have enough accessible fat in the lower back, inner thighs, or arms to make a meaningful fat transfer possible. For those who truly don’t have enough donor fat, hip implants become an option worth discussing, though they come with their own considerations.
Learn more about how Dr. De Jesus approaches the unique anatomical challenges of slimmer patients in her detailed guide on her BBL technique and results.
Recovery: What to Expect After Each Procedure
BBL Recovery
The most important rule after a BBL is protecting the transferred fat cells during the critical first weeks. Sitting directly on your buttocks is avoided for approximately 2–4 weeks; Dr. De Jesus will guide you on exactly how long and provide alternatives (BBL pillows, lying on your side, etc.).
For out-of-town patients who travel to Miami for their BBL, Dr. De Jesus’s recovery program is uniquely comprehensive. Rather than being sent to a recovery house or left on your own, her patients visit the clinic daily during business hours — approximately 8 hours per day — for direct physician oversight. This includes:
- Daily in-person examination by Dr. De Jesus herself
- 7 included lymphatic massage sessions to reduce swelling and support fat graft survival
- 7 included IV therapy sessions for hydration and healing support
- Personalized guidance on positioning, compression garment use, and activity restrictions
Patients stay at the Best Western hotel located directly behind the office (Miami 33134), which offers a free airport shuttle — making travel logistics simple. A companion (family member or trusted friend) is required for the first several days, both for safety and practical assistance.
Hip Dip Augmentation Recovery
Recovery from isolated hip dip fat transfer is generally lighter than a full BBL since the procedure is less extensive. Swelling and bruising in both the donor and injection sites are expected. Patients are advised to avoid prolonged pressure on the outer hip area for the first 1–2 weeks. Compression garments are worn to support the healing tissues and help shape the final result.
When hip dip surgery is combined with a BBL, the recovery protocol follows the more involved BBL guidelines, since both areas need protection simultaneously.
Realistic Results: What the Procedures Can Achieve
It’s important to approach either procedure with realistic expectations. Both BBL and hip dip fat transfer produce natural-looking results because they use your own tissue. The results are not instant — swelling must resolve, and transferred fat goes through a stabilization period over the first 3–6 months. Approximately 60–80% of transferred fat typically survives long-term, which is factored into the volume injected during surgery.
A BBL can produce a dramatic improvement in silhouette — fuller, higher, rounder buttocks paired with a slimmer waist. Hip dip augmentation produces a subtler change: the outer hip curve appears smoother and more continuous, removing the “divot” that bothered you. Together, they create an overall hourglass shape that many patients find transformative.
Maintaining your results long-term requires weight stability. Significant weight gain or loss after surgery can change the distribution of remaining fat throughout your body, including in the treated areas.
How Much Do These Procedures Cost in Miami?
Cost is always a practical consideration. At Dr. De Jesus’s practice, pricing reflects the full scope of care included — not just the surgical fee. For a detailed breakdown of BBL pricing, visit the complete BBL cost guide for Miami.
Hip dip augmentation performed as a standalone procedure is generally less expensive than a full BBL, since the fat harvesting and injection are more targeted and the procedure is shorter. When performed in combination with a BBL, the additional cost is typically modest relative to a standalone procedure, since anesthesia and facility fees are already accounted for.
Financing options are available, and the team at Dr. De Jesus’s office can walk you through payment plan options during your consultation.
Why Choose Dr. Nidia De Jesus for BBL or Hip Contouring in Miami?
Dr. Nidia De Jesus is a board-certified plastic surgeon whose practice in Miami specializes in body contouring procedures — including BBL, liposuction, tummy tuck, and mommy makeover. She is known for her meticulous fat transfer technique, her artistic eye for proportion, and her commitment to personalized patient care.
Her approach to recovery stands out in the field: rather than sending patients home after surgery and hoping for the best, she sees every recovery patient in person, every single day. Her daily clinic-based recovery program means you have a board-certified surgeon monitoring your healing — not a recovery house attendant, not a nurse hotline, but your actual surgeon.
For out-of-state and international patients, this level of oversight provides peace of mind that is genuinely rare in plastic surgery. You arrive, you’re cared for, and you go home confident in your results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a BBL fix hip dips completely?
A BBL can soften the appearance of hip dips, particularly when fat is placed laterally along the outer hip. However, because the BBL’s primary goal is buttock augmentation, it does not specifically target hip dips the way a dedicated hip dip fat transfer does. For patients who want the most correction of hip dips, a combined approach — BBL plus targeted hip dip augmentation — produces the best outcome.
How long do hip dip fat transfer results last?
Once the transferred fat cells have established a blood supply and stabilized — typically within 3–6 months — the results are long-lasting. They are not permanent in the sense that your body still responds to weight changes over time, but the reshaping effect persists for many years in patients who maintain a stable weight.
I’m thin. Can I still get a BBL or hip dip surgery?
Possibly, yes. This depends on how much accessible donor fat you have. Some slim patients have enough fat in specific areas (lower back, arms, inner thighs) to make a meaningful fat transfer possible. During your consultation, Dr. De Jesus will assess your body composition honestly and tell you whether fat transfer is a viable option for you, or whether implants might be a better alternative.
How soon after a BBL can I sit normally?
Most patients are advised to avoid sitting directly on their buttocks for approximately 2–4 weeks after a BBL. When sitting is necessary (such as when eating or using the toilet), a BBL pillow is used to shift pressure to the thighs rather than the buttocks. Dr. De Jesus will give you specific guidance based on your individual recovery progress. For more detail, see the guide on when you can sit after a BBL.
What’s included in the recovery program at Dr. De Jesus’s practice?
Dr. De Jesus’s recovery program includes daily clinic visits during business hours (approximately 8 hours per day), personal examination by Dr. De Jesus every single day, 7 lymphatic massage sessions, and 7 IV therapy sessions — all included as part of your care. Patients stay at the Best Western hotel located directly behind the office in Miami 33134, which offers a free airport shuttle for traveling patients. A companion is required for the first several days.
Ready to Reshape Your Silhouette? Schedule a Consultation
Whether you’re drawn to the dramatic transformation of a Brazilian Butt Lift, the targeted refinement of hip dip augmentation, or a combination of both, the first step is a personalized consultation with Dr. Nidia De Jesus. She’ll evaluate your anatomy, discuss your goals honestly, and create a surgical plan designed specifically for your body.
Contact Dr. Nidia De Jesus’s Miami office today:
- 📞 (305) 204-0817
- ✉️ info@nidiadejesusmd.com
- 📍 51 SW 42nd Ave STE 105, Miami, FL 33134
Free consultations are available. Your curves — your confidence — are within reach.
Results vary by individual. All surgical procedures carry risks. A consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon is the best way to understand what outcomes are realistic for your specific anatomy and health profile.