All Procedures
Buttock Augmentation with Gluteal Implants
Useful information for patients on Buttocks Implants - improving the appearance of the gluteal area (buttocks).
What Are Buttock Implants?
Buttock augmentation with gluteal implants is a surgical procedure designed to increase buttock volume, projection, and definition using specially designed solid silicone implants.
The procedure may be appropriate for patients who desire greater buttock fullness but do not have enough donor fat for meaningful fat-transfer augmentation or prefer the more predictable volume provided by an implant.
Through an incision typically placed within or near the natural crease between the buttocks, the surgeon creates a carefully planned pocket for each implant. The implants are commonly positioned within the gluteus maximus muscle, although the precise technique depends on the patient’s anatomy, tissue thickness, implant selection, and surgeon preference.
Implant size and shape are selected to complement the patient’s frame and goals. The objective is to create improved projection and proportion while avoiding an implant that is excessively large for the surrounding tissues.
Gluteal implants primarily improve volume and central buttock projection. They do not remove loose skin or fully correct significant buttock descent. Patients with substantial skin laxity following major weight loss may be better candidates for a buttock lift or lower body lift, with or without augmentation.
Who Is It For?
Buttock implants may be appropriate for patients who:
- Desire increased buttock volume or projection
- Have naturally limited buttock development
- Have insufficient donor fat for significant fat-transfer augmentation
- Prefer implant-based augmentation rather than fat transfer
- Have adequate soft-tissue coverage for an implant
- Are at or near a stable weight
- Are in good overall health
- Do not smoke or use nicotine, or are able to discontinue nicotine as directed before and after surgery
- Understand the potential need for future implant revision, replacement, or removal
- Have realistic expectations regarding shape, scars, recovery, and implant-related risks
Patients with significant loose skin, marked buttock descent, active infection, poorly controlled medical conditions, or inadequate soft-tissue coverage may not be appropriate candidates.
Diabetes is not necessarily an absolute contraindication, but blood glucose must be well controlled because diabetes can increase the risks of infection, wound-healing problems, and other complications.
Buttock Implants vs. Brazilian Butt Lift
A Brazilian butt lift, or BBL, uses liposuction to remove fat from donor areas such as the abdomen, waist, back, or thighs. The fat is processed and carefully transferred to the buttocks to improve contour and volume.
A gluteal implant augmentation uses solid silicone implants to create increased projection and volume.
Buttock implants may be preferable for patients who:
- Have limited donor fat
- Desire more predictable central projection
- Prefer implant-based augmentation
- Have experienced inadequate volume from previous fat transfer
Fat transfer may be preferable for patients who:
- Have sufficient donor fat
- Desire simultaneous contouring of the waist or other donor areas
- Prefer augmentation with their own tissue
- Want softer, more diffuse shaping of the buttocks and surrounding contours
Some patients may benefit from a combined approach, although combining procedures must be carefully evaluated based on safety, anatomy, and operative extent.
Fat transfer and gluteal implants have different risks. Fat transfer involves the possibility of fat resorption, contour irregularities, fat necrosis, and rare but serious fat-embolism complications. Implants involve risks such as infection, malposition, firmness, wound problems, and future revision or removal.
Neither option corrects substantial loose skin. Patients with major skin laxity may require a buttock lift or lower body lift instead of, or in addition to, augmentation.
Preparation
Before surgery, patients typically undergo a detailed medical history and physical examination.
Preparation may include:
- Maintaining a stable weight
- Discontinuing nicotine before and after surgery according to the surgeon’s instructions
- Reviewing all prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements
- Temporarily discontinuing medications or supplements that may increase bleeding when medically appropriate
- Completing laboratory testing or medical clearance if indicated
- Optimizing medical conditions, including diabetes
- Arranging assistance during the early recovery period
- Preparing the home to permit resting and sleeping without excessive pressure on the operative areas
Specific fasting, hygiene, medication, and skin-preparation instructions will be provided by the surgical and anesthesia team.
Useful Information
Ensure you consider all aspects of a procedure. You can speak to your surgeon about these areas of the surgery in more detail during a consultation.
Length
How Long Is the Procedure?
Operative time varies depending on the surgical technique, implant selection, anatomy, and whether additional procedures are performed.
Anesthesia
Do I Need Anesthesia?
Buttock implant surgery is typically performed under general anesthesia.
Inpatient/Outpatient
Is The Procedure Inpatient or Outpatient?
The procedure may be performed on an outpatient basis in appropriately selected patients. An overnight stay may be recommended depending on the extent of surgery, medical history, and surgeon’s protocol.
Temporary surgical drains may be used depending on the operative technique and intraoperative findings.
Additional Information
Temporary effects may include:
- Swelling and bruising
- Tightness or pressure in the buttocks
- Soreness or discomfort
- Temporary numbness or altered sensation
- Difficulty sitting comfortably during early recovery
- Temporary firmness
- Reduced mobility during the initial healing period
- Mild asymmetry related to swelling
These effects generally improve gradually as swelling resolves and the tissues accommodate the implants.
Potential risks include:
- Bleeding or hematoma
- Infection
- Seroma or fluid accumulation
- Delayed wound healing or wound separation
- Implant exposure or extrusion
- Capsular contracture or firmness around the implant
- Implant malposition, displacement, or rotation
- Implant visibility or palpability
- Implant damage or rupture
- Buttock asymmetry
- Contour irregularity
- Persistent pain
- Changes in skin sensation
- Injury or irritation involving nearby nerves, including the sciatic nerve
- Unfavorable scarring
- Anesthesia-related complications
- Deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism
- Need for implant revision, replacement, or removal
Infection surrounding a gluteal implant can be particularly serious and may require removal of the implant in addition to antibiotic treatment.
Using an implant that is excessively large for the patient’s tissues may increase tension, wound-healing difficulties, implant visibility, malposition, and other complications. Implant selection should therefore be based on anatomy and tissue capacity rather than size preference alone.
Recovery after gluteal implant surgery requires careful positioning and activity modification.
Patients are encouraged to begin gentle walking soon after surgery to promote circulation and reduce the risk of blood clots.
Direct pressure on the buttocks is limited during early healing. Patients may be instructed to rest on their abdomen or sides and to use modified sitting positions or specialized support when sitting is unavoidable.
The duration of sitting restrictions varies according to the surgical technique, implant position, incision healing, and surgeon’s protocol. Patients should not resume unrestricted sitting based solely on comfort and should follow their surgeon’s specific instructions.
A compression garment may be recommended to help control swelling and provide support, although direct compression over the implants may be modified depending on the operative technique.
Many patients require approximately two weeks or longer before returning to light or desk-based work, particularly if prolonged sitting is required. More physically demanding work may require additional recovery time.
Strenuous exercise, squatting, heavy lower-body training, running, and activities that place significant pressure or tension on the buttocks should be avoided during early healing and gradually resumed after clearance from the surgical team.
Pain medication and other medications may be prescribed as part of an individualized postoperative plan. Alcohol should be avoided while taking narcotic pain medication or any medication with which it may interact.
Gluteal implants can provide:
- Increased buttock volume
- Greater central projection
- Improved buttock definition
- Improved proportion between the buttocks, waist, and lower body
- More predictable augmentation in patients with limited donor fat
Improved projection is visible immediately, although swelling and tissue tightness initially affect the appearance. The buttocks gradually soften and assume a more natural contour as swelling resolves and the tissues adapt to the implants.
Final results become clearer over several months.
Gluteal implants are designed to provide long-lasting augmentation, but they should not necessarily be considered lifetime devices. Future surgery may be required because of implant-related complications, changes in aesthetic preference, aging, weight fluctuation, or changes in the surrounding tissues.
Routine “touch-ups” are not automatically required, but revision may become necessary for implant malposition, firmness, asymmetry, infection, wound problems, or a desire to change implant size.
Results vary according to anatomy, tissue thickness, implant selection, healing, weight stability, and adherence to postoperative instructions. Consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon experienced in gluteal augmentation is necessary to determine whether implants, fat transfer, lifting, or a combination approach is most appropriate.