What is a butt lift?
A butt lift refers to all of the cosmetic surgery procedures that improve the appearance of the butt, or buttocks. It can involve a superior gluteal lift, an inferior gluteal lift, Brazilian butt lift butt silicon implants, fat injection and grafting, and even injection of other filler materials.
Butt lift surgery can create a more youthful and naturally lifted butt. It can also tighten and lift loose or sagging skin that exercise will not address. In order for the autologous fat required for the injections to be harvested, this surgical procedure is often performed in conjunction with liposuction.
Why do people get butt lifts?
Patients choose to undertake a buttocks implant if they feel self-conscious, have a poorly defined buttock or their body shape is disproportionate or ‘top heavy’. This can occur because of under developed gluteal muscles or deformity. Trying to develop and reshape the buttocks area through exercise can be very difficult. A butt can be saggy or get ‘deflated’ with weight loss or after pregnancies. In many cases, the change in butt shape is due to genetics and the natural ageing process.
People who choose to undergo butt lift surgery have a variety of butt shape problems. They may also want to:
- Add further volume and roundness to their butt
- Improve the shape, contour and position of the buttocks
- Create more balanced proportions
- Accentuate their overall body contours
- Make the buttocks look more youthful and lifted
How is a butt lift performed?
A butt lift procedure is performed under general anaesthetic, and can take your Cosmetic Surgeon up to two hours to perform. Your surgeon will make an incision in the natural crease of your buttocks, or another location that is inconspicuous. Through this incision, the Cosmetic Surgeon will create a ‘pocket’ in the existing buttock tissue in which to insert the butt implant.
The butt is positioned in the pocket, usually located behind the largest buttock muscle (gluteal muscle) and above the pelvic bone. Once the butt implant is in place, the incision will be closed with sutures. To remove excess liquid, drains may be inserted.
If you decide choose not to use buttock implants for your butt lift, your Cosmetic Surgeon will use a variety of fat transfer techniques where fat is removed from one part of your body and used in the buttock. Because this fat transfer technique uses your own natural fat, the chances of your body rejecting it is very low.
It is important to note that if you are slim individual, you may not have enough fat, which can be used to enhance your buttocks. In these cases, a butt implant will be the best option.
Key facts about butt lift surgery
- After butt lift surgery, the treated area will be bruised and swollen. Once the compression garment is removed, the bruising gradually dissipates. It is important to note the swelling may take weeks or months to resolve.
- Following butt lift surgery, you will need to take time off work. The exact amount of time off will depend on the extent of your butt lift procedure.
- Butt lift surgery has high complication rates, and higher rates of poor outcomes. It is very important to choose a Cosmetic Surgeon who is highly trained and experienced with this surgical procedure.
- Most butt lift surgery patients are advised not to participate in strenuous activities or exercise for up to 8 weeks after surgery.
- If you have had butt implants inserted, the results will be permanent. If you have only had fat transferred into your butt, the results will not last as long.
- Butt lift surgery can help lift and tighten loose or sagging skin, particularly after weight loss or in areas that exercise will not help.
What is recovery like after butt lift surgery?
Following the butt implant procedure, you will experience discomfort, which you will need to be managed with pain medication. It is important to note that your recovery process will be affected by the location of the treatment area.
Because the buttocks are a mobile part of the body daily activities like standing, walking and moving will affect them. For the first 10 days after your butt lift surgery, you will not be able to sit on the buttocks, except to go to the bathroom.
For the first 48 hours after the surgery, you will need to rest in bed on your stomach while wearing a compression garment. Most patients are not mobile for at least 3 days after butt lift surgery.
Bruising and swelling will appear in the treated area during recovery. This will gradually dissipate and fade over the following weeks. It is important to note that the final results of the butt lift surgery will not be evident for at least 8 weeks after surgery.
Are there risks or complications with butt lift surgery?
It’s important to note that any surgical operation brings complications of anaesthesia. Your anaesthetist will outline the possible complications of having an anaesthetic.
General complications of every surgery include:
- Blood clot in your leg (deep-vein thrombosis – DVT). This can cause pain, swelling or redness in your leg, or the veins near the surface of your leg to appear larger than normal. Your healthcare team will assess your risk. They will encourage you to get out of bed soon after the operation and may give you injections, medication, or special stockings to wear. Let the healthcare team know straightaway if you think you might have a DVT.
- Blood clot in your lung (pulmonary embolus). If a blood clot moves through your bloodstream to your lungs. If you become short of breath, feel pain in your chest or upper back, or if you cough up blood, let the healthcare team know straightaway. If you are at home, call an ambulance or go immediately to your nearest Emergency department.
What are the specific risks and complications of butt lift surgery?
When a highly experienced and trained Cosmetic Surgeon performs butt lift surgery, the risks and complications will be minimal. However, it is important to note that risks and complications include:
- Infection: While infection of the implant is very rare, it can occur. If infection of the butt implant does happen, scar tissue may form around the implant. This can usually be resolved with a course of antibiotics, however if this doesn’t resolve the butt implants may need to be removed.
- Swelling: Swelling of the butt area can occur because of tissue damage. While this is painful, it usually resolves itself.
- Pain: Due to the number of layers of muscle the Cosmetic Surgeon need to cut through to insert the butt implants, pain will occur. To manage this pain, you will be given prescription medication.
How to find the best Australian butt lift Cosmetic Surgeons
Butt lift surgery is a major cosmetic procedure. It is important to consult with several Cosmetic Surgeons. Having realistic expectations about butt lift surgery is vital. While butt lift surgery is usually effective and safe, it is important to note that there are risks and complications associated with it. You can find the best Australian Butt Lift Surgeons here
So you can make an informed decision, your elected surgeon will discuss the possible risks associated with butt lifts. Due to the complicated nature of these surgeries, it's important to understand how problems can be managed in the event that they occur.
