Surgical · 7 min read
Buttock Contouring and the BBL: Why Safety Comes First
By Dr Hassan Soueid · MD, FRCS · Lead Surgeon, Kensington Cosmetic Clinic
Published 21 June 2026
TL;DR. Buttock contouring reshapes the area by removing fat from around it and, in a BBL, transferring some of that fat to add projection. Done with strict technique it is safe and natural, but it has a real safety history, so the surgeon and the technique matter more here than almost anywhere else.
What the procedure involves
We use liposuction to refine the waist, flanks and the frame around the buttock, then, if appropriate, purify and re-inject a measured amount of that fat to improve shape and projection.
The safety point, said plainly
The serious historical risk with a BBL is fat being injected too deep, into or near large veins. Modern safe practice keeps fat strictly above the muscle, often with ultrasound guidance, and avoids over-filling. We follow these rules without exception, and if a request is unsafe we will decline it.
Natural vs exaggerated
- What we do: proportionate, natural contour that suits your frame.
- What we will not do: extreme volumes that compromise safety or look unnatural.
Recovery
You avoid sitting directly on the area for a couple of weeks and wear compression. Final shape settles over a few months as the transferred fat establishes.
Frequently asked
Questions we get asked about EnerPeel®
- Is a BBL safe?
- When fat is placed above the muscle with careful technique and sensible volumes, it is safe. The risks come from poor technique, which is why surgeon choice matters.
- Will the result look natural?
- We aim for proportion that suits your frame, not an exaggerated shape. That is both safer and ages better.
- Do I need enough fat for this?
- Yes, a BBL needs donor fat to harvest. If there is too little, we discuss alternatives at consultation.