Buttockplasty, more commonly known as a buttock lift, is a procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the lower back above the buttocks, and/or the region below the gluteal folds (the creases where the underside of the buttocks meet the legs). We most commonly perform this procedure for patients who have lost a significant amount of weight, resulting in deflated volume and loose skin that can affect your overall contours and your confidence. In some cases, we can combine a buttock lift with fat grafting to provide further enhancements to the volume and shape of the buttocks. Fat grafting alone can be indicated for patients that may not require skin excision—this is sometimes referred to as a BBL.
Who is a good candidate for a buttockplasty?
If you are bothered by loose skin, sagging, and an undesirable shape of the buttocks that is resistant to a healthy diet and exercise, a buttock lift could be the right solution for you. A buttock lift requires an incision that runs hip to hip along the lower back. Although the incision will heal and fade to a degree, patients will need to be comfortable with the fact that a scar will remain, in exchange for the benefits of improved contours. In contrast, a BBL focuses solely on augmenting volume and does not correct lax tissue. Should you be a candidate for a BBL only, your surgeon will discuss this with you in detail. You should be in good overall health and at a stable weight before pursuing buttock lift surgery.
What will my buttockplasty surgery be like?
Buttockplasty is performed under general anesthesia in our fully accredited in-house operating facility and takes 1.5-3 hours depending on your personal treatment plan. An incision is made along the lower back to excise loose skin and reshape and tighten the remaining tissue. It may be performed alone or in conjunction with other body contouring procedures. Following surgery, our attentive medical team will monitor your initial recovery in the calm, comfortable setting of our in-house recovery room. Your surgeon may ask you to stay overnight at the adjoined Parkside Hotel and will discuss this with you in advance if applicable.
How long is the recovery from a buttockplasty?
Our dedicated nurses will instruct you and your caregiver on postoperative care, pain management, and positioning before leaving our clinic. You will leave with a supportive garment in place. Our nurses will see you in-clinic at 1-2 weeks after surgery, and subsequently as needed to support your recovery journey. Mild to moderate bruising, swelling, and discomfort is normal after a buttock lift.
You will need to refrain from strenuous physical activity and heavy lifting, including lifting and carrying your children, for six weeks after surgery. Most patients return to physical jobs and start to reincorporate physical activity around four weeks post-op and gradually work up to their normal activity level. Supportive garments must be worn for at least six weeks.
As with any surgery, the healing process can vary from patient to patient and your final results will depend on many individual factors. It is important to be patient with your body and allow yourself time to rest and recuperate.
Your Questions Answered
We strive to ensure our patients are thoroughly informed and equipped with the resources they need to make the best decision for themselves. Your consultation will include a discussion of your goals, your health history, education on your procedure(s) of interest, and a detailed explanation of potential benefits, risks, and complications. Your surgeon will also perform a full exam of the proposed surgical area. For more information, you can also review our guide to the surgical process from consultation to recovery.
Prior to booking, you should ensure you have a responsible adult available to care for and assist you for the first 3-5 days after surgery. This includes preparing meals, caring for your pets or children, cleaning, and assisting with postoperative care. We recommend having someone available to drive you to your post-op appointment(s).
As with any procedure, post-operative complications after a buttock lift are rare but possible. These may include bleeding (hematoma), blood clots (PE or DVT), infection, seroma, asymmetry, contour abnormalities, delayed healing, and/or unsatisfactory scarring. Our skilled surgical team prioritizes your safety and meticulously works to minimize these risks. You may experience altered sensations such as numbness or tingling for several weeks or months, which are normal and should resolve with time.
