Butt and Body Lift

With age or significant weight loss the buttocks gradually changes shape by drooping and sagging. This is a cosmetic concern for many where as simple lack of volume may be a concern for others. In the past, nothing could be done to correct these complaints. However, cosmetic surgeons are now able to improve the buttocks contour with lipo-injection, buttocks implants or a lift. This surgery can help you regain confidence and a more youthful appearance.

The best candidates for lipo-injection or solid silicone buttocks implants have good skin tone desiring more volume and upper buttock contour. Candidates for buttocks lift surgery have poor skin tone in this area. This is characterized by loose or excess skin, stretch marks and cellulite. Patients who suffer from poor skin quality cannot benefit from liposuction and lipo-injection and can only improve the appearance of their buttocks through a lift surgery.

The Procedure

This procedure is performed under general anesthesia in the hospital. Patients are typically admitted overnight for observation and pain control and then discharged the following day.

If you are looking simply for more fullness and shape to your buttock, a common way to enhance the appearance is to perform a procedure called the ‘Brazilian Butt Lift’. The procedure is performed by liposuctioning areas of the abdomen, back and/or hips and injecting the harvested fat into the buttocks to provide more fullness and shape. The fat grafting technique will not work well if you are too thin and have limited fat deposits. Not all the fat grafted will take and sometimes additional fat grafting sessions may be needed. Buttocks implants may be an option for those with limited fat deposits or those who desire fuller augmentation. These are placed through a short mid-line incision approximating the inter-gluteal crease.

For the buttocks lift, the incision is made in the bikini line. Excess skin and fat is removed and the buttocks is elevated superiorly. In some cases this procedure is combined with a body lift or thigh lift. The body lift, also called a belt lipectomy, involves an incision that goes around the entire waist in the bikini area. The body lift is basically a combination of a tummy tuck and a butt lift. Alternatively, it can be combined with a thigh lift. During this procedure the incisions extend from the back around the outer thigh moving to the front and downward and inward along the crease between your leg and pelvis and then backwards again between your legs to the buttocks crease. This is otherwise known as a spiral lift. Depending on your circumstances, the tummy tuck and buttocks lift or thigh and buttocks lift may need to be performed as separate procedures. We will evaluate you at your consultation and discuss the risks, benefits and alternative treatments.

The incisions for these lifts are closed with dissolvable sutures and drains are usually placed to remove excess fluid that accumulates in the first week after surgery. The incisions are covered with cloth and foam tape and a compression garment is placed to help minimize swelling and maximize improvement in contour.

Recovery

The drains and tape are usually removed one week after surgery. Sometimes the drains may need to stay in longer if your body is producing excess fluid from inflammation after surgery. The compression garment may need to be worn for up to four weeks.

Pain is typically well controlled on oral pain medications. Expected recovery is two weeks. It is important to begin walking the day after surgery to prevent blood clots from forming in the deep veins of the leg. You can resume light exercise after two weeks and more vigorous exercise after six weeks.

Some bruising is normal after surgery. This usually goes away in the first few weeks. Your incisions will be noticeable immediately following surgery but they will gradually fade and flatten for up to a year after surgery. You will also have some puckering around the incisions after surgery. This will smooth out over a month or two. If your skin has a lot of stretch marks or is extremely thin, this is a sign of poor skin elasticity. Patients with poor skin elasticity may be more prone to widening of the scar after surgery. A small percentage of patients require scar revision. Your skin will also be firm and numb at the outset. It will soften and normal sensation will return gradually.

Possible Complications

There are potential complications associated with having any surgery including bleeding, prolonged bruising and swelling, infection, temporary or permanent numbness, weakness and unfavorable scarring as previously mentioned. Infection or collections of blood or fluid in the wound may delay recovery and could result in skin loss, fat wasting or pronounced scarring. This could result in the need for additional corrective surgery. The skin is stretched during surgery and post-operatively during function. The blood supply to the skin may be compromised or damaged as a result of the surgery which could lead to wound breakdown or skin loss. If this happens and the wound does not heal favorably on its own, a scar revision or skin graft may be needed.

Although these complications are relatively rare, wound problems are much more likely with patients who smoke. Therefore, we require patients who use tobacco products to completely quit for a minimum of four-to-six weeks before and after buttocks lift surgery.

Overall, the procedure provides very gratifying results with immediate reduction of the excess skin and fat and improved contour. The type and amount of lift recommended will be identified at your consult.