A sagging backside can make any patient self-conscious about the appearance of his or her body. Unfortunately, many patients develop loose skin on the buttocks as a result of significant weight loss, the aging process, or genetics. When this problem occurs, our Philadelphia surgeons can perform butt lift surgery.
Butt Lift Candidates
Candidates for butt lift surgery should be at or near their goal weight, in good health, and not smoke. The also have:
- Dimpled skin on the buttocks
- Loose, hanging skin on the buttocks
- An excess of skin on the buttocks
- Skin that has lost its ability to contract
- Uneven fat distribution on the buttocks
- Loss of volume in the buttocks
Butt Lift Techniques
When patients have an accumulation of skin that requires excision, there are two incision options:
- Crease of the buttocks: In this technique, the incisions are made in the crease below the buttocks. This approach allows for moderate tightening of the skin on the butt and backs of the thighs, as well as fat distribution and adjustments to the underlying tissue matrix.
- Above the buttocks: The incisions in this approach are similar to those made in the lower body lift procedure. The incisions are located between the buttocks and the lower back, and allow surgeons to redistribute fat, tighten the underlying supporting structures, and redistribute fat.
In addition to these skin excision techniques, patients that have lost volume in the buttocks may opt to have butt implants placed. This approach can correct milder cases of skin laxity by augmenting the butt and stretching out the skin.
Patients with an excess of fatty tissue in the buttocks may choose to undergo liposuction, along with skin excision techniques, to improve the appearance of the backside.
Butt Lift Procedure
The butt lift procedure takes two to three hours to perform. It involves the following steps:
- The incision locations on the buttocks and lower back are marked with a surgical pen
- The patient is put under general anesthesia
- Anti-bacterial solution is applied to the treatment area
- The incisions are made along the pen markings
- The skin is separated from the underlying structures
- The tissue and muscles are adjusted
- Fat is redistributed
- The skin is stretched over the buttocks
- Extra skin is excised
- The incisions are closed
- The treatment area is cleaned
- Medical tape and bandages are applied
- The patient is put in a compression garment
Butt Lift Recovery
Any surgery that involves skin excision techniques will result in a lengthier recovery period. During butt lift surgery recovery, patients should rest, keep the head elevated, apply ice packs regularly, and take pain medication for the first few days after surgery.
The compression garment should be worn at all times for four weeks after surgery.
Though light walks are encouraged after surgery, heavy exercise or strenuous activity should be avoided for four to six weeks.
Butt Lift Side Effects
Side effects of butt lift surgery include:
- Bruising
- Pain
- Swelling
- Numbness of itchiness along the incisions
Butt Lift Risks
Though uncommon, risks of butt lift surgery include:
- Allergy to any of the materials used during surgery or aftercare
- Infection
- Asymmetry of the buttocks
- Bleeding or hematoma
- Seroma (fluid accumulation)
- Delayed wound healing
- Poor scarring
Butt Lift Results
All bruising and swelling will fade by one to three months after surgery, at which point the results will be visible. Scarring, however, may take up to a year to reach its final state.
Philadelphia Butt Lift Consultations
Contact our Philadelphia practice to schedule a butt lift consultation with our skilled plastic surgeons.