Significant weight loss is a remarkable achievement that can lead to numerous health benefits. However, it often leaves behind excess, sagging skin, which can impact a person's body image. One area particularly affected is the buttocks. A buttock lift, also known as a gluteal lift, is a surgical procedure designed to address sagging skin and improve the shape of the buttocks after massive weight loss. This article delves into the pros and cons of a buttock lift after weight loss, providing a comprehensive overview to help you make an informed decision.
Understanding Buttock Lift Procedures
There are several types of buttock lift procedures, each with its own approach and goals:
- Traditional Buttock Lift (Gluteal Lift): This procedure focuses on removing excess skin and tightening the remaining skin to raise the buttocks. It does not add volume but creates a firmer, more toned appearance. The surgeon makes an incision along the lower back, from hip to hip, and pulls up the excess skin below the incision to lift the buttocks.
- Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL): A BBL is a fat transfer procedure that combines liposuction and fat grafting to augment and reshape the buttocks. Fat is harvested from other areas of the body, such as the abdomen, thighs, or flanks, and then injected into the gluteal muscles.
- Body Lift (Belt Lipectomy): This comprehensive procedure addresses excess skin around the lower abdomen, hips, lower back, and buttocks. It typically includes a tummy tuck, lateral thigh lift, and buttock lift.
- Sculptra Butt Lift: This non-surgical option uses Sculptra, an FDA-approved injectable filler that encourages collagen production, to enhance buttock contours and shape.
Pros of a Buttock Lift After Weight Loss
Improved Body Contours and Shape
One of the primary benefits of a buttock lift is the improvement in the contours, size, and shape of the buttocks. After significant weight loss, the buttocks may droop due to excess skin and reduced fat. A buttock lift can eliminate excess sagging skin and stubborn fat deposits, creating a firmer, tighter, and more youthful appearance.
Enhanced Proportionality
Weight loss often occurs proportionally throughout the body, which can lead to a loss of defined curves. A buttock lift, particularly a BBL, can restore volume to the buttocks while slimming down other areas of the body through liposuction. This enhances overall body proportion and creates a more balanced figure.
Increased Self-Confidence
Many individuals experience increased self-confidence as they feel better about the shape of their body after a buttock lift. Addressing the sagging skin and reshaping the buttocks can significantly improve body image and self-esteem.
Read also: Preventing Buttock Discomfort
Long-Lasting Results
The results of a traditional buttock lift are generally long-lasting, especially when paired with a stable weight and healthy lifestyle. Since this procedure involves removing excess skin and tightening tissue, the improvements in shape and firmness are usually permanent. BBL results can also be long-term, depending on how well the transferred fat survives. Typically, about 60-80% of the injected fat remains permanently, acting like fat anywhere else in the body.
Minimal Scarring with BBL
One major advantage of a BBL is minimal scarring. The procedure uses liposuction and small cannulas for fat injection, resulting in tiny incisions that typically heal very well and fade into barely noticeable marks.
Motivational Factor
Post-weight loss surgeries often serve as a motivating factor to help patients maintain their results. The investment in a buttock lift can encourage individuals to continue living a healthy lifestyle and maintain a stable weight.
Cons of a Buttock Lift After Weight Loss
Surgical Risks
Like any surgical procedure, a buttock lift carries risks, including infection, blood clots, and unfavorable reactions to anesthesia. A BBL also has specific risks such as asymmetry, fat embolism, and excessive bleeding. Choosing a board-certified surgeon can help minimize these risks.
Recovery Period
Recovery from a buttock lift can be lengthy and requires careful adherence to all post-operative instructions. After a traditional buttock lift, patients usually experience bruising, swelling, and discomfort for several weeks. BBL recovery requires special seating arrangements to avoid pressure on the newly transferred fat for the first few weeks.
Read also: Comprehensive Guide to Patient Spa Lifts
Scarring
A traditional buttock lift involves incisions to remove excess skin, resulting in visible scarring. Incisions are typically placed along the top of the buttocks or hidden in the natural crease to make scars less noticeable. While scars fade over time, they won’t disappear completely.
Potential Need for Additional Procedures
Isolated buttock lifts might provoke a flattened buttock contour, while augmentation with implants or fat injections alone may not correct the ptosis. In some cases, additional procedures may be necessary to achieve the desired results.
Cost
The cost of a buttock lift varies based on surgeon experience, location, and the complexity of the procedure. On average, patients can expect to pay between $7,000 and $16,000. This typically includes anesthesia, facility fees, and post-operative care. Neither procedure is typically covered by insurance, as they are considered cosmetic.
Fat Reabsorption in BBL
Not all the transferred fat survives the grafting process in a BBL. It’s possible that some of the injected fat may be reabsorbed by the body, requiring additional procedures to maintain the desired volume.
Limited Volume Choice
Unlike buttock implants, a traditional buttock lift cannot choose the size of the augmentation. The results are dependent on the existing tissue and skin elasticity.
Read also: Breast Lift Surgery
Post-operative care
Following a buttock lift, proper post-operative care is vital for optimal healing and results. This includes wearing compression garments to minimize swelling, support new contours, and improve healing. Avoiding pressure on the buttocks for several weeks is also crucial, especially after a BBL.
Who Is a Good Candidate for a Buttock Lift After Weight Loss?
A plastic surgeon will help determine whether you’re a good candidate for a buttock lift or another cosmetic procedure. In general, a buttock lift is best for people who:
- Are in good health and don’t smoke.
- Don’t have obesity.
- Don’t have chronic conditions that may prevent healing, such as diabetes or lupus.
- Lost a lot of weight or had weight loss surgery.
- Have extra fat, sagging, or loose skin on their buttocks.
- Have realistic expectations about their results.
- Have reached a stable weight.
Buttock Lift vs. BBL: Key Differences
Understanding the differences between a traditional buttock lift and a Brazilian butt lift (BBL) is crucial in determining which procedure is right for you.
| Feature | Traditional Buttock Lift (Gluteal Lift) | Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) |
|---|---|---|
| Goal | Raise and smooth sagging skin | Enhance and add volume to the buttocks |
| Technique | Removes excess skin and tightens tissue | Fat transfer from other body areas |
| Volume Addition | No | Yes |
| Scarring | More visible scars | Minimal scarring |
| Recovery | Several weeks | Requires special seating arrangements |
| Ideal Candidate | Excess skin removal needed | Sagging buttocks with sufficient fat stores |
Buttock Lift Procedure: What to Expect
Pre-operative Consultation
Before the surgery, you will meet with a plastic surgeon for a consultation. During this consultation, the surgeon will:
- Review your medical history.
- Perform a physical exam.
- Discuss your expectations.
- Take pictures of your buttocks for your medical record.
The Procedure
A buttock lift is typically done in a hospital or an outpatient surgical facility. The procedure involves:
- Anesthesia: General anesthesia is used to ensure you remain relaxed and pain-free during the surgery.
- Incision: The surgeon will make an incision along the buttocks to access the underlying tissue. The exact size and placement of the incision will depend on your anatomy and goals for the procedure.
- Tissue Manipulation: The surgeon will remove excess skin and fat from the area through the incision. They may reposition some underlying tissue to ensure a natural shape.
- Closure: Once this is complete, the areas will be lifted and held in place.
Post-operative Care
After the procedure, your incision will likely be covered with surgical dressing. You'll likely feel moderate pain, which will initially be controlled by intravenous pain medication. Drains might be left in place for several weeks after surgery. You might need to continue taking an antibiotic after your buttock lift. After a few days, you'll begin wearing a supportive garment for the next few weeks. Scar management might include the use of silicone sheeting, scar cream, and massage.
Recovery and Results
Sculptra Butt Lift
A Sculptra butt lift requires minimal downtime, and patients can resume most normal activities immediately. Patients commonly experience mild side effects like swelling, bruising, and redness that resolve within a few days. After a Sculptra butt lift, one important step is to massage the area 5 times a day for 5 days to ensure the product is evenly distributed. Full results appear gradually within a few months. Patients may require multiple Sculptra sessions to achieve their goals.
BBL
After BBL, patients typically experience bruising, swelling, and tenderness that is manageable with rest and pain medications. Patients should wear compression garments to minimize swelling, support the new contours, and improve healing. One of the most critical elements of the recovery process is to avoid putting pressure on the buttocks for 2 weeks post-surgery by resting on the stomach or side or standing. In 2 weeks, patients can modify sitting, lying, or other activities. Most patients can resume working at this time. It may take 6 months for tissues to settle and reveal final results.