Considering Buttock Augmentation?

By Craig Person, MD

Precision Orthopedics & Sports Medicine

. https://www.precisionorthomd.com/

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Considering Buttock Augmentation?

Lately, buttock augmentation is a very popular procedure. The explosion in its popularity can be traced back to the actress Jennifer Lopez, and more recently to stars such as Nicki Minaj and Kim Kardashian.

People choose to have their buttock augmented or enlarged for several reasons including defining an attractive ethnic physique, restoring curves lost to pregnancy and aging, as well as to fit better in today's fashion trend.

There are basically two ways to enlarge the buttock. You can either inject something into them, or you can place something in them.

Buttock Injections

There are many substances that have been injected into the buttocks including silicone (both medical and industrial grade), PMMA, hydrogel, mineral oil, and fat. All of these substances are illegal to be injected in the U.S., except for fat. A patient's own fat is the only substance which can be safely and legally injected into the buttock.

If you are contemplating some of the other injected substances you would be wise to Google the video “Buttloads of Pain.”

Brazillian Butt Lift

This is the name given to the procedure where fat is removed by liposuction from unwanted areas (abdomen, back, thighs, arms, etc.) and is injected into the buttocks. The process of liposuction contributes to the final results by contouring the waist and hips, therefore giving the patients natural buttocks, more definition, even before the fat is added.

The fat is then injected into the buttocks and hips (if desired) according to the patient's goals. Not all of the fat will survive.

There are several aspects of fat grafting which patients need to be aware of. First, it takes more fat than most patients think to achieve the average result.

Second, the patient must make arrangements so that they do not sit or lie on their back for 2-3 weeks after surgery. That means no driving during that time.

If a patient puts too much pressure on the grafts, by sitting or lying on their back, they will cause more of the fat to not take, or die. If this happens they will have nice results at 2-6 weeks after the procedure, but then have little or no result at six months.

Buttock Augmentation With Implants

For patients who do not have enough of their own fat, or for patients who want more defined augmentation than their fat will allow, there are buttock implants.

The implants are made of silastic, which is a semi-firm, rubber-like material that cannot leak, unlike silicone gel breast implants.

These implants give the buttock an athletic, muscular-like feel compared to fat injections. The implants are placed within the gluteus muscle or just above it beneath a layer of fascia.

The intramuscular and subfascial locations have their advantages and drawback which your surgeon will discuss with you during a consultation.

The procedure is done under general anesthetic and usually takes about two hours. The incision is placed inconspicuously in the crease between the buttocks.

Recovery

Most patients will take 2-3 weeks off of work for fat injection and implants placed in a subfascial location. For intramuscular placement of implants, the recovery is longest requiring 3-4 weeks of time off. Exercise can usually be resumed 4-6 weeks later. When planning to “show off” your new result (i.e. beach, swimwear), allow yourself 6-8 weeks.