Am I a Candidate for Buttock Augmentation?

Buttock augmentation is a surgery that adds fullness and projection to buttocks that are flat or saggy.  A typical butt augmentation candidate is not happy with the shape and appearance of the backside because she finds it to be flat, small or saggy. There are multiple methods to enhance the buttocks and they include implants, fat transfer and a lift. In general, buttock augmentation candidates are looking to improve the balance of their figure, increase the fullness and roundness of their backside and improve their self-confidence.

Good Reasons for Butt Augmentation

1. Buttocks are too small compared to the rest of the body frame
2. Weight loss has resulted in a flat or saggy appearance
3. Looking to achieve a more youthful profile
4. Desiring a more balanced appearance
5. Swimwear or regular clothes do not fit properly on the body
6. Looking to eliminate the flat appearance of the buttocks in favor of curves

Bad Candidates for Butt Augmentation

1. Patients with unrealistic expectations
2. Someone not in overall good physical health
3. A person having the surgery to make someone else happy
4. A person who does not have the time to take off work for proper recovery

Cost Expectations

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost of buttock augmentation using fat grafting is $4077. The price varies according to the technique used by the surgeon as a buttock lift is $4509 while buttock implants are $4580. The price also varies depending on a number of factors including fees charged by the surgeon, surgical facility fees, anesthesia fees and the geographic area where the surgery is performed.

Choosing the Type of Buttock Augmentation

Buttock augmentation can be performed by a variety of techniques and they include:

• Implants – A good option for patients who have a limited amount of fatty tissue but still want a more enhanced figure. The surgeon makes an incision in the natural crease of the buttock where the back of the thighs meet the cheeks. Some surgeons may make the incision down the buttock crease in a vertical manner. A pocket is created for each implant either below or above the gluteal muscle and then the incision is closed. A drain is placed at the incision point to get rid of excess fluid.
• Brazilian butt lift (BBL) – A method that removes fatty tissue from areas of the body such as the love handles and the back via liposuction. The fat that is removed is purified and then injected back into the buttock to give the patient a shapelier look without having to place an implant. During the liposuction part of the surgery, several small incisions are made so the surgeon can insert a cannula. Drains are also placed at the incision points to help remove excess fluid.
• Traditional butt lift – The surgeon makes an incision in the natural crease of the butt and then proceeds to manually lift the skin in order to remove any excess fatty tissue. The tissue that remains is sculpted into a shapelier and rounder appearance. Sutures are placed deep within the tissue in order to hold the area in a lifted position. The skin is then tightly pulled and sutured so the lifted appearance will remain in place. This method can be combined with a BBL or implants to increase the enhancement of the backside.

Risks and Complications

Patients need to be aware of potential risks and complications before undergoing buttock augmentation. While there are many common risks and complications, there are also some that are specific to the technique performed on the patient:

1. Infection
2. Scarring
3. Nerve damage
4. Asymmetry
5. Seroma (fluid accumulation)
6. Bleeding
7. Implant rupture or migration
8. Firmness
9. Excessive loss of blood or blood clots
10. Fat embolism (BBL)
11. Fat necrosis (BBL)

Recovery Information

Patients who undergo implants will need to wear a compression garment for 2-3 weeks after the surgery. The garment is to be worn 24 hours a day to provide support and help the skin redrape properly. A drain is placed in order to remove excess fluid at the incision sites. Patients should avoid sitting for 1-2 weeks. The drains are removed after about a week and any sutures are removed after 10 days.

Patients who have a BBL will need to avoid any prolonged sitting for at least 2-3 weeks in order to avoid damaging the transferred fat. They will also need to sleep face down or on their side. They will be given a compression garment to wear 24 hours a day for about 3 weeks and drains might be placed to remove any excess fluid or blood.

Traditional butt lift recovery is similar to the above recovery periods since patients need to wear a compression garment and avoid any prolonged sitting on the treated area.

Butt Augmentation Results

The final results from a BBL or buttock implants should be permanent if performed by a board-certified and skilled surgeon. The results from a traditional butt lift are usually long lasting and the final length of results varies between patients.

-MA