The surgeon you choose for a BBL matters more than anything else, more than price, more than the clinic’s Instagram feed. This list covers 10 board-certified plastic surgeons across the country, each verified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), the credential that requires an accredited residency, written and oral board exams, and adherence to ongoing practice standards.
Below you’ll find where each surgeon trained, what they’re known for clinically, and what to ask them when you consult.
What Is a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL)?
A Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) uses your own fat, removed via liposuction from the abdomen, flanks, or thighs, and transfers it into the buttocks to add volume and reshape contour. No implants. The fat is processed to isolate viable cells, then injected in layered passes to sculpt the shape where you want it. Because the procedure also slims donor areas, the overall result is a more proportionate silhouette, not just a fuller backside.
It also carries real risk if done wrong. Earlier BBL techniques injected fat too deeply, near the gluteal muscle, where large blood vessels run. Fat entering those vessels can travel to the lungs, which is the embolism risk that made headlines. ASPS, ASAPS, and ISAPS responded by overhauling safety guidelines: fat is now injected only into the subcutaneous layer, above the muscle, with real-time ultrasound guidance. Surgeons following those protocols have seen complication rates drop dramatically. That’s why technique and training matter, not just the credentials on the wall.
Top 10 BBL Surgeons in the US
1. Dr. Alan Durkin, MD – Vero Beach, Florida
Dr. Durkin is double board-certified by both the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery, and founded Ocean Drive Plastic Surgery in Vero Beach. He holds a faculty position at Florida State University and Nova Southeastern University and has published 25+ peer-reviewed papers on aesthetic surgery.
His practice philosophy is direct: “We do not make cosmetic decisions based on income but on aesthetic results. We’ll do the right thing for you, or nothing at all.”
Why he stands out:
- Castle Connolly Top Doctor; five-time Patient’s Choice Award winner
- Consultant to Allergan® and Merz Aesthetics®
- Arnold P. Gold Award for Humanism in Medicine
- Featured in Cosmopolitan, HauteMD, and Vice Sports Magazine
What patients say: Consultations are consistently described as pressure-free and anatomy-specific, particularly noted by patients with athletic or muscular builds.
Key credentials: Double board-certified (ABPS + ABS) | Faculty, FSU & Nova Southeastern | Member: ASPS, ASAPS, ISAPS
2. Dr. Chad Robbins, MD, FACS – Nashville, Tennessee
Mayo Clinic-trained and dual board-certified (ABPS + ABS), Dr. Robbins completed five years of general surgery at UAB, followed by two years of plastic surgery training at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. He builds each surgical plan around the patient’s specific proportions and fat distribution, not a standard template.
Why he stands out:
- Voted “Best of Nashville” by Nashville Scene
- Former Vice Chair of Plastic Surgery, Saint Thomas Midtown Hospital
- Published breast reconstruction research in the Annals of Plastic Surgery
- Hospital privileges at Saint Thomas Midtown and Centennial Medical Center
What patients say: Reviewers frequently note he’ll tell you honestly when something won’t work for your anatomy, which most patients find more reassuring than a surgeon who agrees with everything.
Key credentials: Mayo Clinic-trained | Certified ABPS + ABS | Member: ASPS, The Aesthetic Society
3. Dr. Ariel Rad, MD, PhD, FACS – Washington, DC
Dr. Ariel Rad is a Princeton undergrad, Duke MD, PhD in Immunology from the University of London (NIH-funded fellowship), and plastic surgery residency at Johns Hopkins, where he later joined the faculty as Assistant Professor and Director of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. His microsurgery work at Hopkins produced techniques now adopted internationally; he’s among roughly 50 surgeons worldwide skilled in certain advanced microvascular reconstructions.
Why he stands out:
- Ranked Top 3 Plastic Surgeons in Washington, DC
- Fellow of the American College of Surgeons
- 50+ peer-reviewed publications and book chapters
- Co-founded Sherber+Rad with dermatologist Dr Noëlle Sherber, surgical and skin-level care under one roof
What patients say: Consultations are described as technically detailed; he explains the reasoning behind each decision, and his minimally invasive approach is noted, even when more aggressive techniques would be easier.
Key credentials: Princeton, Duke MD, U of London PhD | Johns Hopkins-trained & faculty | Member: ASPS, The Aesthetic Society, ISAPS
4. Dr. Rod J. Rohrich, MD – Dallas, Texas
Dr. Rohrich trained at Baylor (MD), University of Michigan (general surgery + plastic surgery residencies), Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard (hand and microvascular surgery), and Oxford (pediatric plastic surgery). His work on fat grafting and body contouring has directly shaped how the specialty approaches these procedures today.
Why he stands out:
- Past President, American Society of Plastic Surgeons
- Co-founder and President, The Rhinoplasty Society
- Editor Emeritus, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery and PRS Global Open
- Co-founded the AiRS Foundation for breast reconstruction access
- Author of hundreds of peer-reviewed articles and textbook chapters
What patients say: Patients who travel to see him describe thorough consultations that communicate trade-offs plainly, without dismissing concerns.
Key credentials: Baylor, Michigan, Harvard, Oxford-trained | Past President, ASPS | Hundreds of peer-reviewed publications
5. Dr. Sean Doherty, MD, FACS – Boston, Massachusetts
Columbia BA, Tufts MD, plastic surgery residency at Lahey Clinic, where he served as Chief Resident. Beyond surgery, Dr. Doherty served as Medical Director and Principal Investigator at Cynosure and Lutronic, working directly on clinical testing of energy-based aesthetic devices, making him one of the few surgeons who can credibly combine surgical and device-based body contouring in a single treatment plan.
Why he stands out:
- Top Doctor, Boston Magazine (multiple years)
- Medical Director/PI for aesthetic device development at Cynosure and Lutronic
- Practice locations in Boston, Back Bay, and Chestnut Hill/Brookline
- Member: ASPS, ASAPS, American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery
What patients say: Noted for not pushing surgery when a combination approach would serve the patient better, a rarer quality than it should be.
Key credentials: Columbia BA | Tufts MD | Chief Resident, Lahey Clinic | Certified, ABPS
6. Dr. Taylor Theunissen, MD – Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Dr. Taylor’s training path is genuinely uncommon: an orthopedic surgery residency at LSU, a plastic and reconstructive surgery residency at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, and then a craniofacial plastic surgery fellowship at Stanford. He’s a faculty member at LSU and Tulane, and his clinic includes an in-office OR staffed by board-certified anesthesiologists.
Why he stands out:
- “Favorite Plastic Surgeon in Baton Rouge”; Castle Connolly Top Doctor in Louisiana
- Known for advanced microsurgical breast reconstruction (DIEP, GAP, PAP flaps)
- Stanford-trained in craniofacial surgery, with surgical anatomy depth beyond standard aesthetic training
- Member: ASPS, American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons
What patients say: Pre-op planning is thorough; patients note his willingness to combine procedures rather than staging everything separately.
Key credentials: Stanford Fellowship (Craniofacial) | Faculty, LSU & Tulane | Certified, ABPS | In-office accredited OR
7. Dr. Joseph R. Barnthouse, MD, FACS – Kansas City, Missouri
Dr. Joseph R has over 40 years of experience in plastic and reconstructive surgery. MD from the University of Kansas, plastic surgery residency at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, aesthetic fellowship at Mt. Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, and breast surgery fellowship at St. Joseph’s/Emory in Atlanta. His reputation is built on taking complex and revision cases that other surgeons decline.
Why he stands out:
- Voted “Top Doc in Cosmetic Plastic Surgery” by Kansas City peers
- Fellow of the American College of Surgeons
- Past President, Kansas City Plastic Surgery Society (2004–2005)
- Dual fellowship training, aesthetic surgery, and breast surgery
What patients say: Patients who’ve consulted elsewhere describe his explanations as the clearest they’ve received; he takes time, sets expectations accurately, and doesn’t rush to book.
Key credentials: 40+ years experience | ABPS certified | Fellow, ACS | Mt. Sinai + Emory fellowships | Member: ASPS, ASAPS
8. Dr. Kahlil Andrews, MD – Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Dr. Andrews trained at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and completed a plastic and reconstructive surgery residency at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. He founded Andrews Plastic Surgery in Cedar Rapids with an accredited in-office surgical suite, where procedures are performed in a consistent, private setting with a dedicated team, rather than in a shared outpatient facility.
Why he stands out:
- Johns Hopkins-trained, one of the most recognized medical schools in the country
- Fills a genuine access gap for Midwest patients who’d otherwise travel to Chicago or Minneapolis
- Accredited surgical suite with a consistent team for body contouring procedures
- Member: ASPS, The Aesthetic Society, Iowa Medical Society
What patients say: Straightforward consultations with no pressure; the clinical team’s follow-through during recovery is frequently mentioned.
Key credentials: Johns Hopkins Medical School | U of Iowa Residency | Certified, ABPS | Accredited in-office OR
9. Dr. Frank J. Ferraro, MD, FACS – Paramus, New Jersey
Dr. Ferraro completed his plastic surgery fellowship at Duke University Medical Center and has been in practice for over 25 years. He is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. His Paramus practice runs an AAAASF-accredited surgical suite, the highest outpatient accreditation available, staffed by board-certified anesthesiologists. Dr. Ferraro holds active hospital privileges at Valley Hospital, Hackensack University Medical Center, and St. Barnabas, among others.
Why he stands out:
- NJ Monthly Top Doc (multiple years); hundreds of verified five-star reviews
- AAAASF-accredited OR, the highest outpatient facility standard
- Hospital privileges at 5+ major New Jersey institutions
- Practical option for New York metro patients avoiding Manhattan pricing
What patients say: Transparent consultations with realistic projections; practice staff noted for clear communication through recovery.
Key credentials: Duke Fellowship | 25+ years | ABPS certified | AAAASF-accredited OR | Member: ASPS, ASAPS
10. Dr. Christopher Jones, MD – Indianapolis, Indiana
Dr. Jones is board-certified with over 40 years of experience in plastic surgery and is affiliated with Ascension St. Vincent Carmel and Ascension St. Vincent Indianapolis. His practice includes 317 Aesthetics Lounge, an integrated medical aesthetics branch offering surgical and non-surgical care under one roof. Four decades of follow-up with his own patients inform his approach to fat grafting today.
Why he stands out:
- 40+ years of fat grafting and body contouring experience
- Integrated surgical and non-surgical care via 317 Aesthetics Lounge
- Hospital affiliations at two Ascension St. Vincent facilities
- Accessible to patients across Indiana, Ohio, and the broader Midwest
What patients say: Calm, methodical consultations with clear scope-setting on what surgery can and can’t achieve.
Key credentials: 40+ years of experience | ABPS certified | Ascension St. Vincent affiliated | Fat grafting expertise
How to Choose the Right BBL Surgeon
Verify ABPS certification directly
Any physician can claim to be “board certified.” The American Board of Plastic Surgery is the specific credential that matters; check it on the ABPS website before booking anything.
Ask about BBL volume specifically
A surgeon who performs 20 tummy tucks a month but 5 BBLs a year is not a BBL specialist. Ask the number directly.
Confirm accredited facility + board-certified anesthesiologist
AAAASF, JCAHO, or equivalent accreditation. A CRNA alone is not the same standard.
Ask about their safety protocol
Subcutaneous-only fat placement with real-time ultrasound guidance is the current ASPS/ASAPS/ISAPS standard. A surgeon who can’t explain their protocol clearly is a red flag.
Browse our full Best Brazilian Butt Lift Surgeon in the USA directory to search by location.
Quick Comparison
| Surgeon | Location | Training Highlight | Known For |
| Dr. Alan Durkin | Vero Beach, FL | Double board-certified, FSU faculty | Fat grafting, patient-first ethics |
| Dr. Chad Robbins | Nashville, TN | Mayo Clinic-trained | Anatomy-first BBL planning |
| Dr. Ariel Rad | Washington, DC | Johns Hopkins + NIH PhD | Microsurgery, precision contouring |
| Dr. Rod Rohrich | Dallas, TX | Baylor, Michigan, Harvard, Oxford | Fat transfer innovation, ASPS president |
| Dr. Sean Doherty | Boston, MA | Lahey Clinic Chief Resident | Surgical + device-based contouring |
| Dr. Taylor Theunissen | Baton Rouge, LA | Stanford craniofacial fellowship | Reconstructive anatomy, in-office OR |
| Dr. Joseph Barnthouse | Kansas City, MO | Mt. Sinai + Emory fellowships | Revision cases, 40+ years |
| Dr. Kahlil Andrews | Cedar Rapids, IA | Johns Hopkins, U of Iowa | Midwest access, accredited OR |
| Dr. Frank Ferraro | Paramus, NJ | Duke fellowship | AAAASF suite, NJ Top Doc |
| Dr. Christopher Jones | Indianapolis, IN | 40+ years of experience | Fat grafting, integrated care |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) safe?
Yes, when performed by a board-certified surgeon using current protocols, subcutaneous-only fat placement with ultrasound guidance. The earlier mortality statistics were tied to a specific technique error (deep intramuscular injection) that updated guidelines have directly addressed. The risk isn’t zero, but it’s manageable with the right surgeon and the right facility.
How long do Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) results last?
Roughly 60–80% of transferred fat survives long-term when post-op protocols are followed, mainly by avoiding direct pressure on the buttocks for several weeks. Results are affected by significant weight changes, since the transferred fat behaves like normal tissue.
How much does a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) cost in the US?
Expect $8,000–$15,000+ with a board-certified surgeon in an accredited facility. Prices significantly below that range usually reflect compromises in safety, experience, or facility standards.
What should I ask at my BBL consultation?
How many BBLs do you perform per year? Do you use ultrasound guidance? What is your fat survival rate at 6 months? What does your revision policy look like? Can I see before-and-after photos from patients with a similar body type? Clear, specific answers to these questions are the best early indicator of a surgeon worth trusting.
Who is the best Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) surgeon in the US?
The best BBL surgeon is one who is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, performs BBL procedures at high volume, and follows current ASPS safety protocols, including subcutaneous-only fat placement with ultrasound guidance. The surgeons listed in this guide meet all of those criteria across multiple US cities.