Cosmetic surgery for a higher, firmer bum!

Procedure Summary

Until recently, our behinds were something that we had no choice but to let age gracefully. However, in the 1970s, the Brazilian surgeon Ivo Pitanguy perfected the buttock lift. His technique has been widely imitated and modified so that, nowadays, surgeons are able to reverse age-related sagging and restructure the buttocks to be higher and firmer.

Are you a candidate for buttock lift surgery?

Buttock lift surgery is typically requested by people whose bottom area sags. This could be due to a number of reasons, including weight loss or the general effects of ageing and gravity. A buttock lift, however, is not an alternative to losing weight. This form of lower body lift is for people with fat and skin deposits that cannot be removed by diet or exercise.

As one buttock lift patient said, “After losing a lot of weight through diet and exercise I was left with an ugly, sagging bum that, despite the weight loss, left me feeling embarrassed to wear some clothes, especially beachwear. After approaching my doctor, who told me that no amount of dieting would remove the folds of lose skin, I booked a consultation with a plastic surgeon. Now, 6 months and 1 buttock lift later, the folds of skin have been replaced by a toned-looking bum.”

Before committing yourself to buttock lift surgery you must be certain that it is the most appropriate procedure for you. For example, if your skin is firm but your buttocks are flat, buttock implants or fat transfer would probably be a more suitable alternative. The right kind of procedure for you is something that should be thoroughly discussed with your plastic surgeon during your initial consultation.

One thing to be aware of is that, if you have ever had phlebitis (inflamed blood vessels) in either of your legs, you may not be a suitable for buttock lift surgery.

What a buttock lift procedure involves

The operation, which can take up to five hours and may involve an overnight stay in hospital, is normally carried out under a general anaesthetic, although sometimes, an epidural (a local anaesthetic that numbs the body from the waist down) may be used.

The surgeon makes an incision across the top of the buttock and, if necessary, along the sides as well. The length of the incision (and hence the subsequent scarring) will depend on how much excess skin you have. Crescent shaped segments of skin and fat are removed, then the skin is lifted and pulled together to achieve a tighter and smoother appearance. Often this operation is combined with liposuction to suck out excess fat.

Once the procedure is complete, drainage tubes may be inserted to remove blood and other fluids from the wound to improve the healing process. Firm elastic bandages will then be applied to support the buttocks and facilitate healing.

Sometimes, if you only have a small area of excess skin in the lower buttock area, smaller incisions in the natural buttock crease can be made. This is not so much a ‘lift’ as a ‘tightening’ of the buttock skin.

Post-surgery recovery

Drainage tubes, if used, will normally be removed within 48 hours after surgery. The buttocks and surrounding regions may show some mild bruising but quite considerable swelling. This may last for a number of days or even weeks, and
a compression garment should be worn to help minimise the swelling. As a general guide, recovery usually takes one to two weeks. You can usually return to work in a couple of weeks, and resume vigorous exercise in four to six weeks.

“ After the operation it took a few weeks before I started to feel like my old self again,” said one patient. “I think it helped that I was in good physical shape beforehand, otherwise it could have been longer.”

Another buttock lift patient described her, “difficulty moving and great discomfort sitting down for the first few days. However, once the swelling had died down, the only indication that I’d had surgery was some scarring. I’ve been told this will fade, but in the meantime it’s hidden beneath my underwear.”

Buttock lifts are sometimes permanent, but the effects of ageing or putting on weight can cause new sagging to appear. The surgery leaves permanent scars (which will fade but never disappear completely) and can potentially leave you with asymmetrical buttocks. You may also experience some numbness around the buttocks and it may take some months for normal sensation to return.

As with all cosmetic surgery, it is essential to follow the advice of your practitioner after the procedure. This will make the outcome as successful as possible and reduce the risk of complications

Choosing a surgeon to carry out the procedure

Only fully trained and qualified surgeons with the relevant expertise gained operating in an establishment registered with the Healthcare Commission (in the UK) should perform buttock lift surgery. Prices for a buttock lift operation can range from £4000 to £6500.

If a buttock lift is something that you are considering, you can discuss all of the issues mentioned here in greater depth during a consultation with a cosmetic surgeon.

Related Buttock Lift Information

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