Butt augmentation procedures: Varieties, outcomes, healing process, hazards
Butt lift surgeries are becoming increasingly popular for those seeking to improve their self-confidence and satisfaction with their bodies. These procedures can address sagging skin, enhance size and shape, and create a more rounded and smoother appearance in the buttocks.
Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL)
The Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) is a procedure that enhances buttock size and shape by transferring a person's own fat. The process involves three main steps:
- Fat extraction by liposuction from areas like the stomach, back, or thighs.
- Fat processing through centrifugation to purify and select high-quality fat.
- Fat injection strictly into the subcutaneous layer (above the muscle) to avoid complications.
Injection can be done manually with a syringe or by pumping techniques. However, this procedure comes with some risks, particularly the risk of pulmonary fat embolism (PFE), which can be fatal. To reduce risks, it is essential to choose board-certified surgeons, ensure the surgery is done at accredited centers, and verify that the fat is only injected subcutaneously, not into muscles.
Recovery from a BBL takes several weeks, and during this time, the individual cannot sit on their butt. The resulting pain is usually mild and manageable with medications. It's important to note that a BBL has the highest death rate of all cosmetic procedures.
Traditional Butt Lift
The traditional butt lift, also called a gluteal lift, addresses sagging skin and tissue, often after weight loss. This surgical lift is done under general anesthesia via an incision along the lower back. The skin and fat are lifted, excess tissue is trimmed, and liposuction can be used for contouring. The skin is then sutured back in place. Recovery involves swelling and bruising lasting months, with temporary sitting discomfort.
Unlike the BBL, a traditional butt lift does not provide more size or projection to the buttocks. Instead, it focuses on lifting and tightening sagging skin.
Choosing the Right Procedure
Before undergoing any butt lift procedure, patients should consult with board-certified plastic surgeons to understand which procedure suits their goals and to discuss detailed risk management. Specific instructions will be received from the surgeon's office about when to stop eating and drinking ahead of the surgery.
The best candidates for butt lift surgeries are people who have significant soft tissue looseness in the buttocks, are in good health, do not smoke, and have good practices regarding fitness and nutrition.
It's essential to carefully consider the pros and cons of the surgery and discuss the risks and their expectations with the surgeon during a consultation to determine whether it is the best procedure for them. The surgeon's office may ask the person to undergo blood tests before the surgery and to take or stop taking certain medications.
In some cases, silicone implants may be used as an alternative for those who do not have enough excess fat to undergo a BBL. However, no implants have been approved by the FDA for use in the United States for butt augmentation.
Regardless of the type of procedure, any surgery carries a risk of bleeding, infection, and a reaction to the anesthetic. There is also the risk of asymmetry, numbness, other changes in sensation, or the need for revision.
The results of both a butt lift and a BBL are immediately visible. In some cases, they will place drainage tubes. For the first 2 weeks following surgery, the individual cannot sit or lie on their butt, except when using the toilet. The doctor will determine when the person can start to sit using a donut pillow.
Cosmetic procedures always carry the risk of complications, but with proper preparation, consultation, and care, many individuals find the benefits of these procedures to be worthwhile.
- Besides the Brazilian Butt Lift, there are other surgical procedures to enhance the appearance of the buttocks known as traditional butt lifts or gluteal lifts.
- These traditional procedures focus on addressing sagging skin and tissue, often after weight loss, through surgical lifts and contouring using liposuction.
- For those considering anti-aging surgical procedures such as a butt lift or other related procedures, it's crucial to consult with board-certified plastic surgeons to discuss risk management and personal goals.
- Some patients might not have enough fat for a Brazilian Butt Lift, in which case alternative options like silicone implants may be considered, although they are not FDA-approved for use in the United States for butt augmentation.
