Buttock Augmentation
Throughout history, the importance of the breasts and buttocks in defining feminine beauty has remained constant despite changes in the perception of attractiveness. In the 1960s, Bartelli et al. introduced the concept of gluteal augmentation using silicone breast implants to address issues with gluteal muscle wastage. Since then, many surgical techniques have been developed to meet the growing aesthetic expectations of patients seeking gluteal augmentation. Recently, there has been an increase in demand for buttock augmentation and restoration in patients undergoing circumferential body lifts after bariatric surgery or for cosmetic reasons. While gluteal implants have been associated with various problems, lipografting has proven to be an effective method for moderate volume increase without addressing ptosis. Several adipocutaneous flaps for gluteal augmentation have been developed to address this issue, but most of them focus on the top half of the buttocks and do not reach the midsection.
What is a Buttock Augmentation?
The procedure known as buttock augmentation, or gluteal augmentation, helps to improve the shape, size, and overall appearance of the buttocks. The two methods to achieve this are buttock implants, which are silicone-filled implants placed deep within the buttock tissues, and fat grafting, which involves transferring fat from one part of the body to the tissues of the buttocks. This is often referred to as a Brazilian buttock lift. Buttock augmentation surgery can enhance volume, roundness, and projection of the buttocks, improve symmetry of the figure, and boost self-esteem and confidence. In addition to buttock augmentation techniques, a surgical removal of soft tissue can also achieve a buttock lift.
What is a Buttock Lift?
A buttock lift, also called a gluteal lift, enhances the underlying tissue that supports the skin and fat in the buttocks. As a person ages, experiences UV exposure, pregnancy, excessive weight changes, or genetic factors, poor tissue elasticity can cause drooping of the buttocks. This surgery removes excess skin and fat to create a smoother and more appealing shape. However, a traditional gluteal lift will not increase the size of the buttocks, but it can even out a dimpled or irregular skin surface. This procedure can be performed alone or in conjunction with a body lift. Buttock lifts serve not only to remove unwanted fat but also to add volume to the buttocks using techniques such as fat grafting, buttock implants, or auto-augmentation. Liposuction can also be employed to improve contouring.
Buttock Augmentation Candidates
The treatment of buttock augmentation and buttock lift requires realistic expectations and good overall health. Determining individual candidacy can only be determined by a plastic surgeon. Younger patients tend to seek buttock augmentation to enhance size and contour, and those with enough fat for the process are good candidates. Fat transfer is the most popular option, but stable weight is crucial for successful outcomes. Good skin elasticity is ideal for those undergoing augmentation, while candidates for a buttock lift must have drooping and loose skin affecting the area's shape. It's important to note that a lift surgery does not enhance buttock volume, and a fat transfer or flap procedure is required for augmentation and contouring.
Buttock Augmentation Preparation
To get ready for buttock augmentation or lift, the doctor may ask you to do the following: get a blood test, modify or stop taking some medications including avoiding aspirin and anti-inflammatory drugs due to their tendency to cause bleeding, quit smoking and form plans for someone to take you to and from the facility if it's an outpatient procedure. The procedure can be done in a hospital, certified office-based surgical facility or ambulatory surgical facility. It's advisable that someone stays with you for at least the first night after the surgery.
Buttock Augmentation Procedures
There are different methods for enhancing your buttocks such as using implants, transferring your own fat, or a combination of both. Your surgeon can choose from various incision styles and techniques to perform the procedure.
Various factors such as the shape and size of your buttocks, the amount of fat stored in your body that can be used for liposuction, your goals and activity level, and the presence of any excess skin and its quality and elasticity will determine the most suitable strategy for you.
Buttock Implant Procedure
While undergoing a surgical procedure, the doctor will administer drugs to help you ease and calm your nerves. You can opt for intravenous sedatives or general anesthetics, and the doctor will recommend the most suitable option.
To address the issue, an opening will need to be created. This can be achieved by making cuts on either side at the upper buttocks, on the lower part of both folds of the buttocks, between both cheeks, or along the middle of the sacrum or in the crease linking the buttocks. The extent of the affected regions would be affected by the size of the incision and resulting scar.
A buttock enhancement procedure involves placing a silicone implant on either side of the buttocks, which can be either inserted into the muscle or placed above the gluteal muscle. The surgeon determines the technique of insertion and placement of implants based on the type of implant, the desired level of enlargement, the individual's body type, and the surgeon's professional recommendations.
Multilayer sutures are utilized to close incisions in the buttocks tissue, and the skin is then secured with either stitches, surgical tape, or skin adhesive.
The immediate results of buttock enhancement are apparent, and the swelling and incision marks will gradually disappear as time goes by. As you recuperate and witness the desired outcome of having a more curvy butt, your contentment with your new look is expected to increase. Moreover, the effects of this procedure can last for an extended period.
Brazilian Buttock Lift Procedure
While you undergo the surgical procedure, the physician will provide you with medicines to assist you in easing up. There are two options available - intravenous sedatives and general anesthetics. The doctor will recommend the most appropriate alternative to consider.
To perform liposuction, tiny incisions that are hardly visible are made. Prior to the procedure, a weak local anesthetic is given to reduce bleeding and injury. After that, a hollow tube known as a cannula is inserted through the incisions in a controlled back-and-forth motion to eliminate excess fat. A surgical vacuum or syringe attaches to the cannula to withdraw the displaced fat from the body. The surgeon may extract up to three times the quantity of fat that will be transferred to the buttocks in total.
Following the liposuction procedure, the extracted fat, tissue, and blood undergo a processing phase. Once this is done, the surgeon attaches syringes to a specialized cannula, which will be utilized to inject the fat into the buttocks in small doses throughout the back.
The results of a buttock augmentation are immediately visible, but it can take up to a year for the fat to fully settle, meaning that you won't see the final results until a year after the procedure. Despite producing natural-looking and feeling outcomes, the size of the buttocks may decrease over time as some of the transferred fat is absorbed by the body. On average, patients retain 70-80% of the transferred fat. As you recover and see the intended fuller appearance of your buttocks, your satisfaction with your new look should increase. The results may vary depending on weight fluctuations since the transferred fat can expand or shrink like any other fat in the body.
Buttock Lift Procedures
Surgical procedures like buttock lifts may require multiple incisions, and the pattern and duration of these incisions are determined by the amount and location of extra skin that needs to be eliminated, as well as the surgeon's expertise. Advanced techniques are used to make incisions in strategic areas that can be concealed by typical clothing and swimwear.
While undergoing a surgical procedure, the physician will administer drugs to induce relaxation. There are two alternatives available, namely intravenous tranquilizers and general anesthetics, and the physician will recommend the most appropriate option.
One common method for a gluteal lift involves creating a cut just under the waistline. This is often done together with an incision for an abdominoplasty as part of a body sculpting procedure. Additionally, liposuction may be used for better shaping. If the surgeon determines that auto-augmentation is suitable for you, some of the tissue that would normally be removed is carefully concealed under the remaining skin. Another approach involves making an incision in the fold between the buttocks and upper leg, right below the buttocks. This removes excess skin and tissue, resulting in a more well-defined crease and, in some cases, smoothing of the skin on the back of the upper legs.
· Closing the incisions
The creation and maintenance of the new shapes are aided by sutures that are placed in the deeper tissues. In order to close the incisions in the skin, various methods such as sutures, skin adhesives, tapes or clips can be used.
The results of a buttock lift can be seen almost immediately, but it may take 3-6 months for the tissues to fully settle. Additionally, the incision lines may take up to two years to develop and mature
Buttock Augmentation Risks
Deciding to undergo buttock augmentation surgery is a highly individualized choice. It is crucial to assess whether the benefits align with your expectations and if the potential risks and complications associated with buttock lift or augmentation procedures are acceptable to you. The plastic surgeon and their team will carefully explain the potential hazards of the surgery. You will be required to sign consent forms, indicating that you comprehend the process and any potential risks or complications that may ensue.
The risks linked with enhancing the buttocks include various issues such as anesthetic complications, asymmetry of the buttock, bleeding, respiratory and cardiovascular problems, deep vein thrombosis, fatty tissue degeneration, seroma build-up, skin infections, alterations in sensation, long-lasting pain, poor wound healing, skin sagging, discoloration of the skin, inflammation, sutures protruding through the skin and causing discomfort, and unsightly scarring. These possible dangers will be fully explained before giving consent, and it is essential to ask the plastic surgeon questions directly.
Buttock Implant Recovery
After the buttock augmentation procedure, bandages will be applied to the incisions. Additionally, tiny tubes may be inserted underneath the skin to drain any excess blood or fluids. You will then be taken to a recovery room where you will be monitored closely for a few hours before being discharged. You will need to wear a support garment for 24 hours after the surgery, and your surgeon will inform you of the duration of its use and if you require additional garments during your recovery period .
You will be provided with precise guidelines, which may consist of the following: guidance on postoperative care such as locating your surgical wound to aid in healing, information on topical or oral medications, monitoring for any specific problems at the surgical site or regarding your general well-being, as well as instructions on how to address concerns such as clogged drains or when to schedule a follow-up appointment with your plastic surgeon.
Inquire from the plastic surgeon concerning the recovery period by asking specific questions such as: where will I be taken after the surgery? Which medications will I be given or prescribed? Will there be a need to wear bandages or dressings after the operation, and when will they be removed? Can I take a bath after the surgery, and if so, when and how? Are there any stitches to be removed, and when should that happen? When can the drains be removed? When will I be able to continue with normal activities like driving and exercising? Also, inquire about follow-up care and when to schedule an appointment.
For a period of approximately fourteen days, it is recommended that you refrain from prolonged sitting (although some surgeons may prefer longer). This is crucial because prolonged sitting can lead to fat deterioration. Additionally, you will be advised to sleep on your side or stomach. If you must sit, it is recommended to use a pillow or cushion behind your legs (hamstring muscles) to raise your buttocks and avoid putting pressure on the fat grafts. Your surgeon may suggest a lymphatic massage from a professional massage therapist. Around six to eight weeks after the procedure, you should be ready to resume exercise. If you experience any symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, or irregular heartbeats, seek medical attention immediately. If any of these symptoms arise, hospitalization and additional treatment may be necessary.
Buttock Injections Hydrogel
The use of augmentation injections has not been approved by the FDA due to their potential hazards. The organization has declared hydrogel and silicone, which are frequently used in buttock injections, to be problematic as they can migrate to other areas of the body and lead to the formation of granuloma masses, as well as infections, deformities, scarring, and even stroke.
There have been reports of fatalities resulting from these unlawful injections, as inexperienced practitioners might mistakenly inject the compounds into blood vessels, causing them to reach the heart, which could be lethal. Moreover, unlicensed practitioners may work in unsanitary settings, increasing the likelihood of infections and deaths. Finally, illegal practices may employ non-medical silicone, rather than the silicone sealants used in medical procedures.
How Much are Buttock Injections?
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons released 2020 data indicating that the average amount for a buttock augmentation with fat grafting is $4,800, the average cost for buttock implants is $5,270, and the average cost for a buttock lift is $5,480. It's essential to know that these are just a part of the full cost and do not account for expenses such as anesthesia, equipment for the operating room, and other associated costs. To obtain the exact and final bill, you will have to communicate with your plastic surgeon's office. The overall cost of the buttock enlargement procedure typically depends upon the surgeon's experience, the preferred treatment, and the location of the clinic. Though health insurance policies often exclude buttock augmentation and any related problems, a considerable number of plastic surgeons provide financing programs for their patients, so it's wise to inquire about that.
Additional expenses related to buttock augmentation may consist of expenses such as the surgeon's fee, hospital or surgery center fees, anesthesia costs, prescribed medications, post-surgery clothing, specialized pillows needed during recovery, and medical checkups. It is important to note that not only the cost but also the surgeon's expertise and your level of comfort with them are crucial factors to consider when selecting a board-certified cosmetic surgeon in your region for buttock enhancement.
Conclusion
The effectiveness and safety of buttock implants have led to their increasing popularity. However, there are numerous aspects to ponder over before deciding on this kind of surgery, such as its cost, recovery period, overall health, and envisioned results. It is important to consult a doctor beforehand to be aware of all the hazards linked with this procedure. It's advisable to search for the right surgeon until you find one who is board-certified and proficient. It's crucial to note that illegal injection of silicone or other substances is perilous and can lead to life-threatening complications. It's not an alternative to having buttock implants.
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