Buttock Augmentation
Buttock or hip augmentation surgery can give you naturally rounded, shapely buttocks and boost your confidence in your figure when wearing pants or skirts, creating a more defined and well-proportioned silhouette.
Types of Buttock Augmentation
There are two ways to do this:
- Augmentation using your own fat involves transferring fat harvested from your body, such as from the abdomen or thighs. Buttock fat grafting requires a large amount—about 200-300 cc—and is suitable only for people with enough body fat. Because the fat comes from your own body, it is generally accepted by the body and causes no adverse effects or side effects. The procedure also reduces excess fat in the areas where it is harvested, such as the abdomen and thighs. It does not require a large surgical incision—only small injection openings. Patients have a short recovery period, do not need to stay in the hospital or undergo general anesthesia, and can go home wearing a compression garment. One drawback is that some of the injected fat may be absorbed by the body over time, reducing the volume and changing the shape of the buttocks, which may no longer be the desired size.
- Augmentation with silicone implants uses high-quality silicone gel implants designed specifically for buttock augmentation. They are strong and durable, withstand pressure and impact well, and are firm enough to retain their shape. The size can be selected to suit the patient’s buttocks.
There are two types of silicone buttock implants
- A buttock implant is made of silicone and filled with silicone gel, like a breast implant, although there are some differences. Buttock implants are filled only with silicone gel; saline-filled implants are not made because saline implants have a higher leakage rate than gel implants.
- The sheet-type silicone implant is a solid silicone implant developed for buttock augmentation. Like the solid silicone implants used for nose augmentation, it is made as a larger sheet and curved to match the shape of the buttocks.
The Procedure for Buttock Augmentation with Silicone Implants
- The procedure is performed under general anesthesia and takes approximately 1–2 hours. The surgeon makes a vertical incision in the gluteal cleft over the tailbone, about 2–3 inches long. The advantage of this location is that it leaves no noticeable scar and requires only one incision; the silicone implants can be inserted on both the left and right sides. The surgeon will determine the appropriate implant size for the patient.
- The surgeon then creates a pocket for the implants by lifting the muscle layer. The implants are placed beneath the buttock muscles, between the outer and middle muscle layers. This newer technique helps reduce implant displacement and scar-tissue formation, while also providing added support for the implants.
- During surgery, the doctor ensures that both buttocks are symmetrical and look as natural as possible. In some cases, the doctor may also remove excess fat from the area by liposuction to achieve an attractive, well-proportioned hip shape. The incision is then closed.
Postoperative Care
- After surgery, there may be mild pain, but substantial care is required. Patients must lie face down and avoid sitting on the implant for 3–5 days to prevent it from shifting and to keep the incision from opening, which also helps it heal faster.
- The wound can be cleaned as usual with cotton wool moistened with clean water or saline. Wipe it clean and pat it dry every morning and evening.
- The surgical incision takes about 2 weeks to close completely. The doctor will schedule a wound check and remove the stitches in the gluteal cleft.
- Patients can sit and lie down as usual about 2–4 weeks after surgery.
- After surgery, avoid injections in the hip or buttock area.
