A butt lift, also known medically as a gluteoplasty or gluteal lift, and popularly called a Brazilian butt lift (BBL) when involving fat transfer, is a cosmetic surgery designed to improve the contour, size, and shape of the buttocks. This procedure can involve the removal of excess skin and fat, repositioning of tissues, or augmentation using fat transfer or implants to create a firmer, more youthful buttock appearance.

Purpose of a Butt Lift

Factors such as aging, heredity, pregnancy, significant weight changes, or lifestyle can cause the buttocks to appear saggy, flat, or disproportionate. These changes may lead to dissatisfaction with body shape, clothing fit, or self-confidence. A butt lift helps address these issues by refining the gluteal area’s contour and providing a more balanced and appealing silhouette.

Indications for Considering a Butt Lift

• Loose or sagging skin following weight loss, aging, or pregnancy
• Flat or disproportionate buttock contour
• Discomfort or mobility issues caused by folds of excess skin
• Desire to enhance volume or reshaping of the buttocks
• Improvement in clothing and swimwear fit

Benefits of Undergoing a Butt Lift

• Smoother, firmer, and uplifted buttocks
• Restoration of youthful body contours and curves
• Enhanced body proportion and silhouette
• Increased self-esteem and comfort in clothing
• Long-lasting aesthetic improvement with proper maintenance

Important Considerations Prior to Surgery

Ideal candidates are healthy adults without uncontrolled chronic illnesses such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease. Smoking cessation is mandatory due to its impact on healing and surgical risk. Stable weight is essential, particularly following drastic weight loss or bariatric surgery; surgeons generally advise waiting at least two years post-weight stabilization for optimal results. Those seeking volume enhancement should discuss options including Brazilian butt lift or implants, especially if limited donor fat is available.

• Board certification in plastic surgery from recognized professional bodies
• Proven specialized experience with butt lift surgeries, including standard lifts, Brazilian butt lifts, and implant procedures
• Portfolio of before-and-after photographs demonstrating results
• Positive patient reviews and reputation for safety and professionalism
• Membership in reputable associations such as The Aesthetic Society

During the initial consultation, expect thorough medical history review, physical assessment, and discussion of goals. Your surgeon will tailor surgical options to your anatomy and desired outcomes, outlining realistic expectations, procedure details, recovery timelines, and associated risks.

Questions to Ask Your Surgeon

• Am I an appropriate candidate for a butt lift?
• Which technique do you recommend for my goals and body type?
• Can I see before-and-after images of your previous patients?
• What anesthesia will be used?
• What is the anticipated recovery time?
• What are the risks and possible complications?
• How do you handle unsatisfactory outcomes?

It is encouraged to ask for clarification and seek second opinions if unsure. Patient education empowers informed decisions for safety and satisfaction.

• Smoking cessation well in advance of surgery to promote optimal healing
• Discontinuing medications that increase bleeding risks such as aspirin and certain herbal supplements
• Maintaining adequate hydration before and after surgery
• Achieving a stable healthy weight or losing additional weight if advised
• Arranging rest, support, and help at home during recovery, especially for childcare or daily tasks

On surgery day, procedures are performed in accredited facilities under anesthesia, usually general anesthesia. The duration may range from two to six hours depending on technique and whether it is combined with liposuction or implants. Post-operation, compression garments help control swelling and support tissue healing. Drains may be placed to prevent fluid accumulation.

Patients should plan for someone to accompany and stay with them overnight after surgery due to anesthesia effects and restricted mobility.

Typical post-operative care includes:

• Managing pain with prescribed medications
• Wearing a compression garment continuously for several weeks
• Monitoring and caring for surgical drains if present
• Avoiding direct pressure on buttocks by lying prone or on the side initially, and using pillows when sitting after the initial recovery period
• Gradual resumption of activities with careful avoidance of strenuous tasks and heavy lifting for at least four to six weeks
• Attending all follow-up appointments for wound checks and progress evaluations

Recovery Expectations by Procedure

Standard Butt Lift

Expect around two to three weeks before returning to general activities, with optimal results emerging over several months.

Brazilian Butt Lift

Swelling can obscure final shape for up to six months. Returning to light activities and work may be possible within two weeks, but sitting requires special care to avoid pressure on the grafted fat.

Butt Implants

Typically, patients may resume work in two to three weeks with careful pillow usage when sitting. Full activity, including exercise, is usually delayed for approximately eight to ten weeks.

Strict adherence to your surgeon’s instructions and maintaining a healthy lifestyle will enhance your recovery and long-term outcome.

In Brazilian butt lifts, the fat that successfully integrates remains permanent, aging naturally alongside other tissues. Butt implants generally provide a long-term solution unless complications arise requiring revision.

While natural aging and weight fluctuations may alter results, patients usually enjoy a significant improvement for years following surgery.

Reviewing before-and-after images can aid in setting realistic expectations regarding the potential results of various butt lift techniques.

Standard Butt Lift Incisions

Typically involves a more substantial incision along the upper buttocks or hidden in the natural crease beneath the buttock, designed for excess skin removal and tissue tightening. Additional small scars may occur if liposuction is performed.

Brazilian Butt Lift Incisions

Small, discreet incisions are made for liposuction cannulas and subsequent fat injection sites. These small puncture scars are generally well concealed by clothing.

Butt Implant Incisions

Usually placed in the natural crease between the buttock cheeks or less commonly at the upper outer buttock or lower buttock fold, these incisions provide access for implant placement while aiming for minimal visible scarring.

Although scars are permanent, with diligent care and time, they soften in appearance and can become inconspicuous. Your surgeon will utilize strategic placement and advanced closure techniques to optimize scar outcomes.

General Surgical Risks

• Adverse reactions to anesthesia
• Hematoma or seroma requiring drainage
• Infections and excessive bleeding
• Numbness or altered sensation in the surgical area
• Permanent scarring
• Unexpected allergic reactions
• Damage to underlying muscles or nerves
• Dissatisfaction with cosmetic results potentially necessitating revision surgery

Specific Risks to Brazilian Butt Lifts

• Partial or significant fat absorption leading to volume loss and asymmetry
• Fat embolism, a rare but serious event where fat enters the bloodstream causing blockages

To reduce fat embolism risk, board-certified surgeons adopt specialized techniques such as injecting fat above the muscle with blunt cannulas.

Specific Risks to Butt Implant Surgery

• Implant displacement or slippage causing asymmetry

Avoid unregulated methods such as silicone injections by unqualified providers, which pose significant health dangers.

It is essential to discuss detailed cost estimates during your surgeon consultation to understand all fees, including surgeon’s fees, anesthesia, operating facility, medical tests, garments, and postoperative care.

Since butt lifts are elective cosmetic procedures, they are typically not covered by medical insurance. However, some clinics and surgeons offer financing options to help manage the investment.

When choosing your surgeon, prioritize their skill, safety record, and patient satisfaction rather than selecting based on cost alone. Choosing a highly qualified, board-certified aesthetic plastic surgeon ensures the best balance of safety and outcome quality.