Buttock augmentation, what is it all about?
Buttock augmentation, also referred to as gluteal augmentation, aims to improve the contour, size and/or shape of the buttocks, thereby harmonising them with the rest of your body. This can be done using implants and/or fat grafting, depending on the requirement.
Silicone implants are surgically placed within the buttock to augment them while fat grafting technique involves fat transfer from another part of the body where there is excess fat such as tummy, thighs, love handles, etc. One may combine the two together to give optimum result. This is also known as Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL).
So why Buttock Augmentation?
- To Increase fullness on your buttocks
- For roundness and projection of your buttocks
- To Improve the balance of your figure
- To enhance your self-image and self-confidence
- If You have asymmetrical or flat buttocks
- To achieve an hour glass silhouette
Types of buttocks
The Procedure of Buttock Augmentation
Of all the cosmetic surgeries available today, buttock augmentation is considered riskier than most others. This is because it is sometimes associated with deep plane fat grafting than intended. In the worst-case scenario, life-threatening embolisms may occur leading to sinister consequences.
However, a qualified and competent plastic surgeon can minimise these risks and achieve the desired result in the safety of a fully equipped modern state of the art clinical facility.
We prefer employing the safest buttock augmentation technique called Expansion Vibration Lipofilling (EVL) technique globally.
The procedure and its safety
Fat grafting is the most preferred method of buttock augmentation since it involves using fat from patient’s own body. The patient gets doubly benefitted – undesirable fat is removed, and the desired contours are created. This further enhances their silhouette and shape. The body will not reject the fat because it comes from you. Thus, it is a completely safe, fool-proof procedure.
The EVL technique
In expansion vibration lipofilling, 4- to 5-mm angled basket cannulas are used and attached to a power-assisted liposuction unit which are used to create tunnels in a multi-directional and multi-layered matrix at the recipient site. This ensures adequate space for fat grafting and hence, appropriate size of the injected fat lobules.
For grafting, the canula-tubing conduit circuit is reversed to propel fat out of the tip of the cannula. Fat flow is facilitated using a peristaltic pump from the fat filled canister filled. In this manner, simultaneous expansion, filling and shaping ensures uniformity of fat grafting for that perfect look.
EVL and its Safety
Expansion vibration lipofilling technique allows recipient-site expansion using basket cannulas, creating a wider potential space and ability to equalise tissue without increasing the pressures within. Blunt tips are less likely to perforate a venous structure. The fixed-angle cannula increases cannula excursion and efficiency using fewer passes, allowing better and safer orientation within tissue planes (superficially to minimise deep tissue penetration).
Fat is also deposited into the expanded area with the basket cannula, effectively serving as a stent followed by the immediate deposition of the fat to occupy the stented space. Also, the use of vibration allows for the homogeneous distribution of fat globules. More thoroughly dispersed fat translates to more surface area contact between grafted fat and recipient tissue leading to greater fat survival.
Brazilian Butt Lift Procedure
Brazilian butt lift is a novel fat transfer procedure that augments the size and shape of the buttocks without implants. Excess fat is removed with liposuction from undesired areas of your body, and a substantial portion of this fat is then strategically injected into the buttocks. Large volume of donor fat is needed to achieve a pleasing and desired gluteal shape. Depending on the body size and gluteal dimensions of the patient, injection volumes range from 400 to 1200 mL or more per side. The concept of Expansion Vibration Lipofilling has revolutionised buttock lipofilling.
Buttock Augmentation with Silicone Implants
Hybrid butt lift
This involves augmenting the buttock using an implant and fat at the same time, akin to hybrid breast augmentation using the two. This is for individuals who do not have much fat to harvest to begin with. Most individuals have sufficient fat in the lower abdomen, flanks and inner thighs, but in some cases, there isn’t sufficient to harvest or the patient is not happy about harvesting fat from certain sites or the fat itself is of not good quality (Fibrous). In cases like these, the surgeon offers to insert a cohesive gel silicone implant to increase the projection of the buttock and add your own fat, to enhance the result even further.
Fat Grafting for Buttock Augmentation – Brazilian Butt Lift
Recovery After Buttock Augmentation
- Can be done as a day care procedure, may sometimes require 1 day admission.
- Some swelling, bruising & discomfort may persist in the first 24-48 hours. This is temporary and diminishes as the recovery proceeds.
- The initial recovery time is 1-3 days. Any swelling or soreness subsides within few weeks.
- You can resume work within a week. Can begin exercising within a month. Follow your surgeons advice.
- Avoid sudden movements, lifting weights, etc., for approximately 2-3 weeks.
- Use compression garment for minimum 6 weeks after the surgery to maintain the contours achieved immediately after the surgery.
- By about one month, bruising, discomfort and swelling disappear and you will feel “back to normal”.
Risk involved in Buttock Augmentation
Like every surgery, there are potential complications and risks involved in buttock augmentation. Common risks involved in buttock augmentation include, anaesthesia risks, bleeding, hematoma, a chance of infection, scarring, implant rupture, numbness, fat necrosis, oil cysts, recurrent looseness of skin, deep vein thrombosis, seroma and persistent pain.
However, these are avoidable if performed by a competent plastic surgeon.
