The bottom line on buttock augmentation

Too big? Too small? Too droopy? Not round enough? Cellulite?

For years, buttock surgery has been the poor, ignored little sister to breast surgery. No longer. Over the last decade, surgery to improve the appearance of the buttocks has grown into its own.

One of the key principles of any cosmetic procedure is to create harmony between the surgical site and the rest of the body. Some patients will achieve that harmony with either smaller buttocks or ones that have been lifted while others will be helped by augmenting their buttocks either with their own fat or implants.

In some cases, by reducing the size of the surrounding tissues - the love handles and the saddlebags, the intrinsic beauty within the patient's buttocks is unmasked and nothing needs to be done to the actual buttocks. Even cellulite, although we still have a way to go to 'cure' it, can now be improved with effective treatments.

Which treatment or combination of therapies is for you? A member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeon member in your local community who has an interest in buttock surgery is the place to start.

What are buttock enhancement surgeries?

Buttock augmentation

Buttock augmentation, or gluteal augmentation, is used to improve the contour, size and/or shape of the buttocks. This is done through the use of buttock implants, fat grafting or sometimes a combination of the two.

Buttock implants are silicone-filled devices that are surgically placed deep within the tissues of the buttock. Buttock augmentation through the use of fat grafting involves the transfer of fat from one area of the body into the tissues of the buttocks. This technique is sometimes referred to as a Brazilian Butt Lift.

Plastic Surgery Societies Issue Urgent Warning About the Risks Associated with Brazilian Butt Lifts

What buttock augmentation surgery can do

• Increase fullness, roundness, and projection of your butt or buttocks
• Improve the balance of your figure
• Enhance your self-image and self-confidence

In addition to buttock augmentation procedures, a buttock lift can be accomplished by the surgical removal of soft tissue.

Buttock lift

A buttock lift, or gluteal lift, improves the shape and tone of the underlying tissue that supports skin and fat in the buttock area.

Aging, sun damage, pregnancy, significant fluctuations in weight and genetic factors may contribute to poor tissue elasticity that can result in sagging of the buttocks.

In order to achieve a smoother and more pleasing contour, excess sagging skin and fat are removed. A traditional gluteal lift will not make a butt larger but may improve a dimpled, irregular skin surface. This procedure may be included in a body lift or may be performed separately.

What a buttock lift can't do

Buttock lifts are not intended strictly for the removal of excess fat nor are they intended to add volume to the buttocks. Fat grafting, buttock implants or auto-augmentation (when some of your own tissue is left underneath the skin) can be used to add volume. Liposuction is sometimes added for better contouring.