Buttock augmentation, also known as gluteal augmentation, can be done with implants or by using your body’s own natural fat. This popular body contouring procedure sculpts the area around the hips, thighs and buttocks with liposuction, plus uses your own fat as a filler to boost buttock size, shape and fullness.

What is a buttock augmenation?

Commonly referred to as a Brazilian butt lift, this surgical procedure is essentially a fat transfer procedure that concentrates on reshaping the area between your lower back and upper thighs. First, excess fat is removed from the abdomen, flanks, inner or outer thighs, and/or lower back. A portion of this fat is then purified and injected into the buttocks. This fat serves as a natural, lasting filler to enhance the shape and size of your backside. By taking away fat from areas where you don’t want it, and moving it directly where you do want more volume (specifically, your butt), a Brazilian butt lift is a win-win procedure with many benefits:

• Achieves a curvier lower body that is better proportioned to your natural physique

• Your butt will look better in jeans, swimsuits, and other clothing

• You will get to reduce unsightly bulges in the belly, hips or thighs at the same time

• Advanced liposuction and fat grafting techniques achieve dramatic improvements with virtually undetectable scarring

• Since your natural fat is used, results typically last for years and years
  
  

Who is a good candidate for a Brazilian butt lift?

As with any cosmetic procedure, certain patients are better suited to Brazilian butt lift surgery than others. If you generally agree with the following, you could likely benefit from a Brazilian butt lift:

• You feel your butt is “too flat” or lacks shape

• You would like a fuller and rounder buttocks

• You have fat pockets you would like to reduce in other areas of your body

• You have good skin elasticity (i.e., sagging skin is not an issue in your belly, hips or butt)
  
  

Since it involves transferring fat, you must have adequate fat stores to remove and replace to achieve the results you desire—very lean patients may not be as good candidates for a Brazilian butt lift; however, may still benefit from buttock augmentation with placement of an implant or use of other injectables such as Sculptra®. During your personal consultation, our plastic surgeon can help you decide if buttock augmentation is a good option for you.

What is Brazilian butt lift surgery like?

Buttock augmentation with fat transfer (Brazilian butt lift) or with implants is as an outpatient procedure. This 1 to 3 hour procedure can be performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with a sedative. While the specifics of your procedure will be tailored to your unique needs and goals, surgery involves three basic steps.

For fat transfer, your surgeon will first perform liposuction to carefully remove excess, unwanted fat and sculpt the areas surrounding the buttocks, using tiny incisions as access points. Next, some of this fat is purified and prepared for injection using a special machine. Finally, the purified fat is measured and injected into various points in the buttocks to achieve a naturally fuller, stunning contour to the buttocks.

For augmentation with implants, your surgeon will carefully create a pocket within the muscle. This pocket allows for placement of the implant. Gluteal implants are made of a soft-solid silicone elastomer.

Recovering after Brazilian butt lift surgery

Mild to moderate soreness and tightness are common for the first few days after buttock augmentation. Most patients find that pain medication easily controls any discomfort. You will need to limit activity to light walking for about two weeks, after which you can go back to work and resume most daily activity, with one major modification—you will not be allowed to sit directly on your buttocks for about 6 to 8 weeks!

During the first two to three weeks, you will need to stand or lie on your stomach at all times, except to use the bathroom. After this initial healing period, you may sit in a modified position, using a “donut” pillow to reduce pressure on your buttocks. A gradual return to exercise is generally permitted within three to four weeks after surgery, and all activity restrictions are lifted after about eight weeks. Remember, following your plastic surgeon’s recovery instructions is essential to ensure your results heal optimally.

Initially, your plastic surgeon may inject a greater amount of fat than needed for your final outcome, as it is normal for a portion of the injected fat cells not to survive. Therefore, your buttocks may initially appear a little larger than you expect—over time results will improve as the transferred fat adapts to its new location and post-operative swelling subsides. Final results usually occur within about six months.

What are the other options to improve buttock shape & size?

For very lean patients without a large amount of donor fat, buttock augmentation can also be performed with other injectables such as sculptra® or with implants.

If you would like to discuss how you can enhance your silhouette and accentuate your curves, contact us for you consultation today
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