A buttock lift or buttock augmentation is becoming one of the more popular plastic surgery options today, due to the options in surgical techniques and the dramatic results that can be attained. This procedure removes excess skin and tissue from the buttock area, lifting the buttocks to a more youthful position. Before you decide whether a buttock lift is right for you, there are a few things you should know about the procedure.
What Can a Butt Lift Treat?
A butt lift can address the following issues:
- Sagging skin on the backside
- Drooping buttocks
- Excess skin that causes irritation
- Loose skin that interferes with clothing
- Buttocks that do not fit with the rest of the body’s contour
Good Candidates for a Butt Lift
A buttock lift is often recommended for patients who experience fast, significant weight loss. When this occurs, the skin often doesn’t have a chance to retighten to the new body contour, resulting in loose sagging skin. A butt lift removes that excess skin and tissue for a firmer, more youthful backside. At the time of surgery, patients must be at a stable weight and in overall good health. Our board-certified cosmetic surgeons will assess your medical history and treatment goals to ensure a buttock enhancement is right for you. If you are seeking a more dramatic transformation following massive weight loss, a butt lift can also be included in a lower body lift procedure, which contours and tightens the entire lower body.
Types of Butt Lift Procedures
Butt lift procedures often involve surgical procedures to remove excess skin, but they might also include augmentation of the buttock region through autologous fat transfer or synthetic implants.
Fat Transfer
The fat transfer procedure, known as a Brazilian butt lift (BBL procedure), removes excess fat from one area of the body like the abdomen or thighs. The transferred fat cells are then harvested and injected into the buttock area to create a fuller, more rounded backside. This creates a subtle lift but offers safety because your own fat is used for the procedure. It is important that patients have enough excess fat to use for this procedure.
Buttock Implants
Butt implants made from a soft silicone material can also be placed into the buttocks via a surgical incision, creating a new shape and size to the buttocks. The implants will be carefully placed beneath the buttocks muscles to ensure the most natural-looking result. This option is a bit more invasive than fat grafting, but can offer more dramatic enhancement.
How it Works
Buttock lift surgery is typically performed under general anesthesia on an outpatient basis. The specific method used for the procedure will depend on the patient’s specific needs and desired outcome. If patients are receiving implants, incisions are generally made along the top of the butt cheeks, which allow the surgeon to remove excess skin, fat and tissue. The incision is then carefully sutured to leave as little scarring as possible. Those using body fat to accentuate their backsides only require a small incision in the donor site.
Recovery Process
A butt lift is a major cosmetic surgery, so patients should expect to take a good amount of time to recover. During the first two weeks, sitting will be restricted to avoid direct pressure on the healing incisions. A special cushion will need to be used for short intervals in a seated position. Resting on the side and stomach will be highly recommended during this time to keep pressure off the buttocks and the incision. Patients may also be given a compression garment to reduce swelling, bruising, and discomfort.
After the first two weeks, patients may return to work and light activities, but a cushion will still be required for sitting for a number of weeks. Most patients are able to return to a full schedule of activities within 6-8 weeks after a butt lift.
Schedule a Consultation
A butt lift offers dramatic body contouring results and can benefit many patients. To learn more about a butt lift, contact Dr. Andrews Plastic Surgery at 319-318-6625 or fill out an online contact form to schedule your personal consultation with top-rated plastic surgeon, Dr. Andrews.
