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Brazilian Butt Lift & Butt Implants

Buttocks augmentation (also called gluteoplasty or gluteal augmentation) is a body contouring procedure that can enhance the shape and size of the buttocks. In recent years the popularity of butt enhancement in the United States has grown immensely, making butt augmentation one of the fastest growing plastic surgery procedures.

Butt augmentation can address a variety of cosmetic issues that can commonly affect the buttocks including:

  • Flat (or disproportionately small) buttocks
  • Sagging
  • Asymmetry
  • Shape issues (usually stemming from significant weight loss)

Types of Buttocks Augmentation Procedures

There are two different techniques used for butt augmentation: Butt Implants and Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL).

The Brazilian Butt Lift (fat grafting) is a minimally invasive buttocks augmentation procedure that utilizes a patient’s own fat tissue to add volume and reshape the buttocks. In this minimally invasive procedure, excess fat is removed via liposuction from another area of the body and re-injected into the buttocks to enhance its overall appearance.

Buttocks implant surgery, similar to breast augmentation, uses a silicone implant to enlarge the posterior. Butt implants are an ideal option for patients who do not have enough excess fat for a BBL.

In some cases the combination of both butt implants and fat grafting can be used to create a patients final desire result.

Butt Implants

Butt implant surgery is performed using general anesthesia to limit all pain and discomfort. The procedure starts with the creation of a well-hidden incision, typically in the center of the buttocks crease (the sacrum). A pocket is then formed above, below, or within the gluteal muscle. The plastic surgeon then carefully places the implant within the pocket before completing the procedure by closing the incision with sutures.

Like breast implants, butt implants come in a variety of different sizes, shapes (either round or anatomically shaped), and texture (smooth vs. textured). Gluteal implants are typically firmer to the touch and therefore cannot ‘rupture.’ Choosing the best butt implant for each individual patient will depend on their natural characteristics, desired end result, and the preference of their surgeon.

 

Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL)

The procedure can be performed using twilight anesthesia, eliminating the risks of General Anesthesia.

There are steps involved with the procedure: fat harvesting, fat processing, and fat re-injection:

  1. Fat Harvesting

The patient’s own excess fat is harvested through tumescent liposuction. Popular areas for fat extraction include the abdomen, waist, love handles, thighs, back, and arms. Special care is taken during the liposuction in order to contour the areas around the buttocks; which allows for a more accentuated and dramatic final result.

  1. Fat Processing

Harvested fat is processed and purified to isolate high quality fat cells from blood, dead cells, and other body fluid. Proper fat processing is essential to separate live fat cells from dead and disrupted cells that can actually contaminate and irritate surrounding tissue if re-injected. Using only high-quality live fat cells limits tissue destruction from post-procedure inflammation.

  1. Fat Re-Injection

In the final phase of the procedure, purified fat is injected into targeted areas of the buttocks at a variety of depths. The processed fat is injected through hundreds of individual “micro” fat injections which insure the highest absorption rate and an even appearance.

When a Brazilian Butt Lift procedure is performed properly the results of the procedure can be permanent. However the results of any fat grafting procedure is contingent on the survival of the fat. Some of the implanted fat cells do not survive and are reabsorbed and removed by the body’s immune system within 3 months of the procedure.

In order to maintain long-term results patients should follow all post-procedure instructions provided by their surgeon and maintain a healthy body weight (BMI).

Before and After Brazilian Butt Lift

side before Before
side after After
Procedure by Dr. Cameron Craven

View Brazilian Butt Lift Photo Gallery

Who is a good candidate for butt augmentation?

The ideal patient for a Brazilian Butt Lift is an individual who is in overall good health and has adequate amount of isolated fat around the abdomen, love handles, thighs, arms, hips, and/or back.

Patients with insufficient fat available for harvest are ideal candidates for butt implants as butt augmentation through a Brazilian Butt Lift would not be possible. Additionally, patients with overly small or flat buttocks that are looking to dramatically enhance its shape and volume will benefit from using an implant. Liposuction of the flanks may be recommended in some patients receiving implants to accentuate the overall shape of the buttock area.

How long does buttocks augmentation typically take?

Most Brazilian Butt Lift procedures take around 4 hours to complete, with a large portion of procedure time dedicated to the fat processing phase of the procedure. Butt augmentation through butt implants typically takes about 2 hours to complete.

Procedure time will vary from patient to patient depending on individual differences and overall procedure complexity.

What can I expect after my procedure?

Following butt augmentation most patients experience light to moderate pain, swelling, and bruising in buttocks and the fat harvest area (for Brazilian butt lift patients); all of which will subside on their own overtime. Most patients are able to return to work after 1 to 2 weeks and can resume strenuous activities and exercise after 6 weeks.

In order to ensure the best possible result (i.e. optimal survival of transfer fat cells and the prevention of improper implant shifting) butt augmentation patients are advised to do the following:

  • Avoid sitting on the buttocks and sleep exclusively on the stomach or sides for three weeks after the procedure
  • Avoid strenuous exercise including sex until fully healed
  • Wear a special supportive garments for up to six weeks post-op

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