Butt Lift

Due to the laxity of the tissues in this area, buttock area needs to be lifted to a more pleasing position. This type of buttock lift is also known as a posterior thigh lift. A sagging buttock develops with weight loss, age, gravity, and genetics. A buttock lift helps remove the excess drooping skin while repositioning the buttock to improve tone and contour.

In considering this surgery, it is best to meet with our surgeons to determine which path would be best for you.

You may want to consider a butt lift if you:

• Feel that your buttocks are small, flat or sagging
• Improve dimpled, bumpy skin
• Restore a more normal shape and contour to the buttock
• You may have always felt this way about your buttock area or this may be a result of a large amount of weight loss through diet and exercise or gastric bypass surgery

At your consultation, your surgeon will review the possibilities with you and our Cosmetic Coordinator will take time to go over the costs and financing options.

A buttock lift usually takes 2 to 4 hours, depending on the extent of work required.

The buttock lift incision is made from hipbone to hipbone on the back. The skin and fat is then separated from the underlying structures. Once the amount of excess is determined, the extra skin and fat are removed. Before stitching the incision, a temporary tube is inserted to drain excess fluid from the surgical site. After the incisions are closed, gauze and an elastic compression bandage are applied for comfort and to minimize bruising and swelling.

A buttock lift is commonly performed at the same time as a thigh lift, tummy tuck, or both.

After surgery, your buttocks may be bruised, swollen and uncomfortable. You will be given medications to control any discomfort you feel. Some numbness of the skin is normal and usually resolves in a few weeks or month.

Walking after surgery is important but don’t bend at the waist or lift anything for several days.

You will be shown how to take care of the drainage tubes and how to record the amount of fluid that comes out of it. The steps are very simple and easy to follow. Your surgeon will remove the tubes when the drainage decreases to an acceptable level.

Many people can go back to work or school in 2 to 3 weeks. We encourage walking but you shouldn’t do any activities that stress the incisions or the healing tissues. Your surgeon will go over the details with you.

Butt lift surgery is usually proceeds smoothly but there are certain potential risks involved with any surgical procedure.

Sagging of tissues

In your butt lift surgery, your tissues will be lifted as much as possible. But after the surgery, the tissues always undergo some degree of stretching due to gravity and aging.

Scarring

Everyone heals and scars differently depending mostly on your own genetic background. As plastic surgeons, we are very diligent about hiding and minimizing scars. After the surgery, we will also recommend the best treatments for making your scar as faint as possible.

Q: How much time is required for a buttock lift?
A: The surgery requires approximately 2-4 hours. As with all surgeries, the amount of time needed varies from patient to patient.

Q: Is a buttock lift an inpatient or outpatient procedure?
A: Usually outpatient but this may depend on whether other procedures are also performed with your buttock lift, such as a tummy tuck or thigh lift.

Q: What are some common side effects?
A: Most side effects of buttock lifts are temporary. They include discomfort, pain, swelling, numbness, and bruising. It may take a year or more for the incision lines to refine and fade.

Q: What is the recovery time?
A: Many patients are able to return to work or school in 2 to 3 weeks.

Q: How long do the results last?
A: The results after a buttock lift last for many years. But, the influences of aging and gravity will continue as time passes. The exact length of time varies from person to person.