Buttock Augmentation

Before the operation

During your consultation for buttock augmentation surgery be prepared to discuss:

• Why you want the surgery, your expectations, and the desired outcome
• Medical conditions, drug allergies, and previous medical treatments
• Current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco, and drug use.

Your plastic surgeon will also:

• Evaluate your general health status and any pre-existing health conditions or risk factors
• Take photographs
• Discuss your options and recommend a course of treatment
• Discuss likely outcomes of buttock augmentation and any risks or potential complications.

Preparing for Buttock Augmentation Surgery

Prior to buttock augmentation surgery, you may be asked to:

• Get a blood test
• Take certain medications or adjust your current medications
• Stop smoking
• Avoid taking aspirin and certain anti-inflammatory drugs as they can increase bleeding.

Be sure to arrange for someone to drive you to and from surgery and to stay with you for at least the first night following surgery.

Also, ensure that you have discussed with your plastic surgeon any concerns you may have. It’s very important to understand all aspects of your buttock augmentation surgery. It’s natural to feel some anxiety, whether it’s excitement for your anticipated new look or a bit of preoperative stress. Don’t be shy about discussing these feelings with your plastic surgeon.

Hospital stay and type of anesthesia

No matter which type of buttock augmentation procedure you have, anesthesia will be used to ensure your comfort during the procedure. The choices include intravenous sedation and general anesthesia. Your doctor will recommend the best choice for you.

After buttock augmentation surgery you will be taken into a recovery area to be closely monitored. Depending on the procedure and technique, you may be permitted to go home after a few hours following surgery, or an over-night stay may be necessary.

The procedure

Buttock augmentation surgery can be achieved through either the use of implants or through transferring your existing fat or sometimes and combination of both. Your surgeon may choose between a variety of incision patterns and techniques.

The appropriate technique for you will be determined based on:

• Buttock size and shape
• The amount of fat you have on your body that is available for use through liposuction
• Your goals and activity level
• Skin quality and elasticity as well as the amount of extra skin.

Buttock implant procedure

Step 1 – The incision

An incision will be made. The incision can be made toward the top on both sides of the upper buttock, toward the bottom in both of the gluteal creases (the areas where your “cheeks” meets the top of the thighs), incisions between both cheeks (hidden in the crease) or with one incision placed down the center of the sacrum, or the crease between the buttocks. The length of the incision and scar is directly related to the affected areas.

Step 2 – Implant placement

A silicone implant specially made for the buttocks is inserted either in the muscle or above the gluteal muscle on each side.

The method for inserting and positioning implants depends on the type of implant, degree of enlargement desired, your body type, and your surgeon’s recommendations.

Step 3 – Closing the incisions

Incisions are closed with layered sutures in the buttocks tissue and with sutures, skin adhesive or surgical tape to close the skin.

Step 4 – See the results

The results of buttock augmentation are immediately visible. Over time, post-surgical swelling will resolve, and incision lines will fade. Satisfaction with your new image should continue to grow as you recover and realize the fulfillment of your goal for fuller buttock. Results of this surgery are permanent.

Fat Grafting/Brazilian Butt Lift Procedure

Step 1 – Liposuction

Liposuction is performed through small, inconspicuous incisions. First, diluted local anesthesia is infused to reduce bleeding and trauma. Then a thin hollow tube, or cannula, is inserted through the incisions to loosen excess fat using a controlled back and forth motion. The dislodged fat is then suctioned out of the body using a surgical vacuum or syringe attached to the cannula. In general, your surgeon may liposuction up to three times the amount of fat than what will actually be injected into the buttocks.

Step 2 – Fat injection

The fat, tissue and blood that were removed through liposuction are then processed. The syringes are then connected to a special cannula. Your surgeon will use this cannula to add the fat to the buttocks through small injections all over your buttocks.

Step 3 – See the results

The results of buttock augmentation are immediately visible; however, you will not see your final results until a year after the surgery, as it takes a while for the fat to “take.” This procedure offers natural looking and feeling results, but the projection of the buttocks may decrease over time. Some of the initial volume you experience after your fat grafting procedure will fade as the fat is absorbed by your body (on the average patients will retain 60-80% of the transferred fat, in some cases more in others less). Satisfaction with your new image should continue to grow as you recover and realize the fulfillment of your goal for a fuller buttock. As you gain or lose weight, your results may change as the transferred fat can grow or shrink just as any other fat in your body.

After the operation

Before leaving, you will be given specific instructions that may include how to care for your buttocks and any areas that may have been liposuctioned following surgery, medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the risk of infection, and when to follow-up with your plastic surgeon.

You will be instructed to wear a support garment following your surgery. Your surgeon will tell you how long you need to wear the garment and if there are any other garments that you may have to wear during your recovery.

Each buttock augmentation procedure has specific steps that you need to take to ensure a healthy recovery and good results:

Buttock Augmentation with Implants

You will need to wear a support garment for approximately two to three weeks after your procedure. This will help the skin re-drape properly and provide support to the augmented buttocks. Final results are noticeable three months after surgery. At this point, most of the swelling will be gone and the implants will be settled in their normal position.

Buttock Augmentation with Fat Grafting Recovery

You will be asked to avoid prolonged sitting for about two weeks (some surgeons prefer longer). This is very important because prolonged sitting will damage the fat.

You will also be encouraged to sleep face down or on your side. When you do have to sit, you will have to use a pillow or cushion placed behind the legs (hamstring muscles) to help raise the buttock avoiding pressure onto the fat grafts.

You will also be provided with a support garment that will apply even compression to the areas that were treated with liposuction. In addition, small temporary drains may be placed in existing incisions beneath the skin to remove any excess blood or fluid.

You will be given specific instructions that may include how to care for the surgical site and drains, medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the potential for infection, specific concerns to look for at the surgical site or in your general health, and when to follow up with your plastic surgeon.

Your surgeon may encourage you to seek a lymphatic massage from a licensed massage therapist. You can generally resume exercise after six to eight weeks.

With either procedure, it is important to be informed about the steps you can take to aid your recovery.

Be sure to ask your plastic surgeon specific questions about what you can expect during your individual recovery period:

• Where will I be taken after my surgery is complete?
• What medication will I be given or prescribed after surgery?
• Will I have dressings/bandages after surgery?
• How long will I wear the compression garment?
• Are stitches removed? When?
• When can I resume normal activity and exercise?
• When do I return for follow-up care?

It may take several months for the swelling to fully dissipate. As it does, your new contours and enhanced self-image should continue to develop.

Following your physician’s instructions is key to the success of your surgery. It’s important that the surgical incisions are not subjected to excessive force, swelling, abrasion, or motion during the time of healing. Your doctor will give you specific instructions on how to care for yourself.