What Is Buttock Aesthetic Surgery?

Buttock aesthetic surgery is the general name for aesthetic procedures aimed at changing the volume or shape of the buttocks or their proportion to the surrounding areas. Diet and exercise can strengthen the muscles, but they change the volume and shape of the buttocks only to a limited extent, because the shape of the buttocks is largely determined by the skeletal structure and the distribution of body fat. The doctor decides at the examination which method is suitable. Results vary from person to person.

Methods Used in Buttock Aesthetic Surgery

Fat transfer (Brazilian Butt Lift, BBL)

Fat removed by liposuction from areas of the person's own body such as the abdomen, waist, back or thighs is processed and injected into the buttocks. No implant is used, and the areas from which the fat is taken are also slimmed. It is a surgical procedure and is mostly performed under general anaesthesia. There must be enough fat tissue that can be removed by liposuction. For details you can read our article Who Are Suitable Candidates for a Brazilian Butt Lift?

Buttock implant

This involves placing a silicone implant in the buttocks. It is among the options that may be considered in people who do not have enough fat tissue. It is an operation performed under general anaesthesia; the incision is larger than in fat transfer and it has its own specific risks.

Contouring with liposuction

By removing fat from surrounding areas such as the waist, the sides of the hips and the thighs, the proportion of the buttocks to the surrounding areas can be changed. In this method, the removed fat is not transferred to another area. In people who are bothered by large buttocks, the buttocks can also be reduced with liposuction. For detailed information you can read our liposuction page.

Fillers

Fillers are not permanent and their use in large areas such as the buttocks is limited; the doctor decides whether they are suitable. Injecting permanent synthetic substances (for example liquid silicone) into the buttocks, on the other hand, can cause serious health problems, and such procedures should be avoided.

Who Is It Suitable For?

Buttock aesthetic surgery can be considered for women and men aged 18 and over who are found suitable at the examination. Suitable candidates are generally people who:

have a lack of volume, an irregular shape or asymmetry in the buttocks and wish to change this,
have enough fat tissue that can be removed by liposuction, if fat transfer is planned,
have had a stable weight for some time,
are in suitable general health for surgery and anaesthesia,
do not smoke or are able to stop before surgery,
have realistic expectations about the result.

Buttock aesthetic surgery is not performed during pregnancy and breastfeeding; after childbirth and the end of breastfeeding, the weight should be allowed to stabilise. As the risks of surgery may increase in people who are overweight, the doctor may first recommend weight loss. Surgery is not performed, or is postponed, in the case of uncontrolled chronic illness or bleeding disorders.

How Is Fat Transfer Performed?

The operation is mostly performed under general anaesthesia and usually takes two to three hours.
Liposuction is performed with thin cannulas through incisions a few millimetres long in the donor areas.
The removed fat is processed and injected into the buttocks in small amounts with thin cannulas.
The incisions are closed, and a compression garment is worn on the liposuction areas.

The amount of fat to be transferred is determined by the doctor according to the person's body structure, the amount of fat tissue and the intended appearance.

After Surgery

Depending on the doctor's advice, an overnight hospital stay may be needed.
After fat transfer, direct pressure on the buttocks must be avoided in the first weeks, which means sitting directly is restricted; the doctor decides for how long. After implant surgery, the rules on sitting and lying down are also set by the doctor.
The doctor decides how long the compression garment should be worn; this is usually a few weeks.
Pain and tenderness are expected in the first days and are controlled with the painkillers recommended by the doctor.
Short walks are recommended from the first days; for intense exercise and sport, the doctor's approval should be awaited.
The doctor decides when you can shower; follow-up appointments should be attended regularly.

Swelling and bruising decrease within a few weeks; it may take a few months for the shape of the buttocks to settle. A return to desk work and social life is usually possible within one to two weeks. For details on sitting and recovery, you can read our article How Can I Sit After a BBL (Brazilian Butt Lift)?

Is the Result Permanent?

Part of the transferred fat may be absorbed by the body in the first months; how much remains varies from person to person. The fat cells that take are permanent; however, weight changes, pregnancy and ageing can affect the appearance of the buttocks over time. Keeping your weight stable is important for maintaining the result. For other frequently asked questions, you can read our articles Frequently Asked Questions About BBL and What to Know Before a Brazilian Butt Lift.

Will There Be Scars?

In fat transfer, small incisions a few millimetres long are made; these leave small scars that fade over time. With a buttock implant the incision is larger and leaves a permanent scar, which fades over time.

Risks

Buttock aesthetic surgery has serious risks. In fat transfer, the most important risk is fat embolism, which can occur when the transferred fat enters a blood vessel and reaches the lungs, and which can be life-threatening; for this reason, careful patient selection is required. Other risks include risks related to anaesthesia, infection, collection of blood or fluid under the skin, impaired blood supply to the skin and tissue loss, hardening of the fat tissue, asymmetry, blood clots in the leg veins and the need for a further corrective operation. A buttock implant also has its own specific risks, such as infection, displacement of the implant and delayed wound healing. The risks should be discussed in detail with the doctor before surgery. For detailed information you can read our Brazilian Butt Lift page.

Author: Op. Dr. Yücel Sarıaltın