Buttock Lift
A sagging rear is no longer something to endure. A buttock lift (also called the Brazilian bum lift after its popularity in that South American country) can improve the appearance and shape of your buttocks.
If you’re just want a reshape of the area then liposuction or other heat-assisted systems such as Vaser can give you the perfect bum as a degree of skin tightening takes place. These procedures can be combined with buttock implants or fat transfer to add shape where necessary.
If there is lots of loose skin – usually the result of massive weight loss – then a surgical bum lift (also known as a gluteoplasty) might be necessary to remove the sagging skin and reshape the bottom.
Buttock lift: Am I suitable?
Although some fat can be removed with liposuction it is best to be as close to your ideal body weight as possible. It is also important to show that you can maintain a healthy weight through diet and exercise.
Your consultation with your surgeon will determine whether a buttock lift will give you the results you are expecting. Also a full medical history will be taken to check whether you’re physically able to undergo the procedure.
Buttock lift: What do I have to do to prepare?
If you are embarking on either a surgical procedure or some form or liposuction or heat-assisted fat removal for a buttock lift your practitioner will give you instructions to help you prepare for the procedure and these may include guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medications. While making preparations, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after your procedure and to help you out for a few days, if needed.
Buttock lift: What’s the treatment like?
See Vaser, laser fat removal and liposuction for more information on these procedures.
For a surgical buttock lift, the procedure takes place either under a general anaesthetic or an epidural. Incisions are sited in the upper part of the buttocks (where they can be concealed by underwear or beachwear) and excess skin is removed and the remaining skin is repositioned.
As a buttock lift is usually performed post-weight loss, it is often combined with other reshaping surgery such as breast uplift, tummy tuck, thigh lift or arm lift.
Buttock lift: What about after?
You are advised not to sit for a week following the procedure and exercise is to be avoided for at least four weeks.
Swelling should subside within first four to six weeks but the final result might not be realised until a year post procedure. It should be possible to maintain the improved contour permanently provided a stable weight is maintain, although age-related changes can still occur.
Buttock lift: Are there any risks or side effects?
Along with the usual complications, a buttock lift can cause visible scarring, the possibility of tissue death, temporary or permanent numbness, asymmetry and recurrent sagging skin.
Buttock lift: What will it cost me?
A buttock lift will usually cost from £5,000.
Buttock Implants
If it is the shape rather than the sag of your bum that concerns you then buttock implants might be the thing. These are shaped silicone implants that are inserted into pockets made by your surgeon rather like breast implants.
This surgery is becoming more and more popular. An enhanced shape can also be achieved by fat transfer.
Buttock implants: Am I suitable?
It is hard to reshape the buttocks through exercise alone. If you’re happy with the size of your rear but not the shape then buttock implants might be the best option for you but an experienced and qualified practitioner will be able to discuss this thoroughly with you.
Buttock implants: What do I have to do to prepare?
As it is a surgical procedure, your surgeon will discuss with you what precautions you should take before surgery.
Buttock implants: What’s the treatment like?
Through a small incision the buttock muscle on each side is lifted and a pocket is made underneath into which the silicone implants are placed – the position depends on which shape you wish to achieve and the surgeon will ensure that they look as symmetrical as possible before the incisions are closed.
The procedure takes approximately one and a half hours and is usually performed under a general anaesthetic. The silicone implants are similar to breast implants in that they are made of a firm gel that will not leak, but the shell is stronger than the one used for breast implants.
Buttock implants: What about after?
There will be some soreness, swelling and bruising immediately after surgery but that should disappear after a few weeks. The implants will initially feel very firm but they will soften and settle into place as the swelling subsides.The scars are small but can take over a year to fade.
Recovery can last from two to four weeks and a compression garment is advised to reduce swelling, Personal hygiene is also very important after this procedure.
Buttock implants: Are there any risks or side effects?
As well as the usual risks associated with surgery, there are some risks that are specific to this procedure and are similar to those following breast implant surgery. The implants could become infected or leak and might require removal or replacement, there may be asymmetry, a risk of numbness in the area, and in the longer term a chance of capsular contracture where the body forms a shell of scar tissue around the implant.
Side effects that aren’t necessarily harmful but might prove disconcerting are the following; it might be possible to feel the implant through the tissue and they may move when the muscle contracts. Your surgeon should discuss all this with you at the consultation stage.
Buttock implants: What will it cost me?
Buttock implants are more expensive than buttock lift surgery and start from approximately £7,000.
