Buttocks Augmentation

About the Procedure

Buttocks Augmentation (medically referred to as a gluteoplasty) is a form of plastic surgery with the sole purpose of enlarging and or shaping one's buttocks. There are several methods by which this can be done, but the safest and most favorable is called the “Brazilian Butt Lift”. Sites on the patients body that have excess fat are identified and liposuction is performed to draw fat cells out. These fat cells are then processed, purified and then injected into areas of the buttocks that the patient wishes to enhance. Other procedures may involve synthetic implants but these procedures tend to be less reliable than transplanting fat cells.

What to Know Before the Procedure

While a “Brazilian Butt Lift” and other similar processes involving the transplantation of fat produce the best results and have the lowest rates of complication, not all patients qualify for this type of procedure. Fatty donor sites must be identified on the patient’s body. If the patient does not have sufficient donor sites to draw fat from, fat transplant procedures will not be possible.

In such an event, one can also pursue the option of buttock implants. These can be molded synthetic pieces or targeted injections of one of several different kinds of synthetic compounds. You will want to discuss your implant options with your surgeon to make sure that the substance will meet your aesthetic goals while also being free of potential allergens.

What to Know After the Procedures

The operation area will continue to be uncomfortable for some time after the surgery and your physician may prescribe pain killers to help you manage it. It is common to undergo massage or ultrasound treatment at the site of the augmentation to ensure the new fat cells integrate properly into their new location, though this is not always necessary. Such treatment would typically commence 7-10 days after the surgery.

As many as 30% of people who receive this procedure experience a phenomenon called fat absorption, where some of the newly injected fat is processed and burned off by the body, lessening the enhancement. In these cases, a patient would have a secondary transplant of fat done, assuming there are sufficient donor sites on their body to draw from. After these secondary grafts, absorption typically does not occur again.

As the newly injected fat cells settle, you should perform regular checks of the surgical area to ensure that your buttocks maintain symmetry and are exhibiting the desired effects that you and your surgeon were aiming for. Also, infection is a possible side effect and you should check for discharge or discoloration while also monitoring your temperature so you can inform your doctor of possible infection at first sign.

Within weeks most people are able to return to physical activities. Final shape and results should be evident by the 6-8 week period.

If you Need to Travel Outside of your Local Hospital

While the ultrasound and massage treatments can be performed anywhere, one must consider the strong possibility of needing a secondary grafting done weeks after the initial surgery. Due to the possible need for a secondary visit, this may make international or long distance domestic travel less feasible for some patients. Be sure to speak with your surgeon openly about your concerns regarding additional post-operative care and treatments.