Have you noticed your backside could use a boost? If you are bothered by a saggy seat and want more firm, youthful-looking rear contours, a surgical butt lift can help achieve pleasing, long-lasting shape improvements.
What is a surgical butt lift?
A surgical butt lift, or buttock lift, is a procedure that removes excess skin and fat to reshape the buttocks and achieve a firmer, lifted appearance. A butt lift may be ideal for restoring your contours if weight loss, pregnancy, or the effects of gravity and the natural aging process have left you with sagging skin and taken a toll on your curves.
What are the benefits of a surgical butt lift?
A buttock lift is considered a very safe outpatient procedure, and patients who undergo a butt lift can enjoy these benefits:
- A firmer, smoother backside
- Improved, natural-looking curvature
- A more youthful silhouette
- Relief from chafing or rashes from excess skin
- Long-lasting results (effects of a surgical butt lift are permanent, though your body will continue to change due to the natural aging process)
Most patients report a boost in self-confidence after their surgical butt lift, and this procedure has a 90% Worth It rating on realself.
How is a surgical butt lift performed?
A surgical butt lift is performed via an incision along the lower back that extends from hip to hip. Dr. Schlesinger thoughtfully places this incision to be hidden by the panty line. From here, the skin is lifted to elevate the buttocks and redraped to achieve firmer, more defined curvature.
Liposuction is commonly used to remove excess fat and refine your butt lift results to enhance your new shape. Once a pleasing contour is achieved, excess skin is trimmed, and the incision is closed with sutures. Dr. Schlesinger may place recovery drains at the incision site to drain any excess blood or fluid to speed recovery. On average, a buttock lift procedure takes about 2-3 hours.
Surgical butt lift recovery
Once surgery is complete, Dr. Schlesinger will carefully cover the incision line with surgical dressings. You’ll need to wear compression garments for several weeks to support your recovery and minimize fluid buildup. If drains will be a part of your recovery, Dr. Schlesinger and his medical team will advise you on proper drain care prior to your surgery. On average, patients need about 2-3 weeks of downtime.
For the first 3 days after your surgery, you will need to lay on your stomach or stand to avoid putting any pressure on your bottom. You will need to take short, slow walks the day after your procedure to encourage adequate blood flow and prevent blood clots. After 3 days, you may sleep or rest on your side, though you should support your body with pillows to avoid accidentally rolling onto your back.
You’ll need to avoid sitting for 2 weeks (except when using the restroom). After this time, you will be permitted to sit; however, a pillow should be placed underneath your thighs for at least 8 weeks, so your bottom is not touching the seat or experiencing any pressure. These rules, which are intended to help you avoid straining your incisions or putting pressure on healing tissues, are critical to achieving optimal results.
Once Dr. Schlesinger clears you, you can slowly resume a more normal daily routine; however, lifting anything or strenuous exercise should be delayed for about 4-6 weeks. Swelling can last for a few weeks to several months, and full recovery can take between 8-12 weeks. Ideally, patients should thus plan to take it easy for 3 months after having a buttock lift.
While the recovery time for a surgical butt lift is somewhat long, and can be challenging because this area is in constant use, patients still feel the procedure was “worth it” given it delivers dramatic and long-lasting results.
Surgical butt lift results
You’ll notice a lifted and more shapely contour almost immediately after surgery. As the swelling subsides, these improvements will become more apparent, with full results visible after 6 months to a year. As long as you maintain your weight, you’ll be able to enjoy your buttock lift results for many years.
Surgical butt lift scars
The key to a discreet butt lift scar is following all postoperative instructions and adhering to your recovery guidelines. Importantly, you need to avoid straining your incisions at all times and apply topical scar care at recommended intervals. Patience is also key: surgical scars can take up to 2 years to fade. Dr. Schlesinger will take care to inconspicuously place your incision so it can be easily concealed by underwear or a swimsuit.
Is a surgical butt lift right for me?
Candidates for a surgical butt lift must be in general good health and desire natural-looking improvement to their bottom’s shape and tone. You may be a good candidate if you have:
- Sagging skin on the buttocks
- Maintained a healthy, stable weight you are happy with for at least 6 months
- Realistic expectations and do not want a dramatic boost in volume in this area
- Are a non-smoker or willing to abstain
Who shouldn’t get a surgical butt lift?
A buttock lift may decrease the overall volume in this area, so if you require an increase in volume to achieve balanced proportions or desire a more dramatic curvature, you may not be happy with the results a surgical butt lift can achieve.
For patients who want a boost in volume and have only minimal skin laxity on their backside, Sculptra injections are non-invasive and quite effective at achieving a subtle increase in volume and increasing collagen production over time for a firmer skin tone.
Can I combine other treatments with a surgical butt lift?
Yes! Patients often combine a surgical butt lift with other procedures to achieve more complete body contouring results within a single recovery period. Procedures that complement a butt lift include:
During your personal consultation, Dr. Schlesinger will help you determine what procedures are best suited to achieving the results you are looking for.
About Dr. S. Larry Schlesinger in Honolulu: Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. S. Larry Schlesinger and our staff at Breast Implant Center of Hawaii are here to help you achieve your cosmetic goals using a range of surgical and non-surgical procedures. With over 30 years of experience, Dr. Schlesinger and our team will support you throughout your surgical journey to ensure you are entirely confident in your treatment plan and receive outstanding care before, during, and after your procedure. To learn more about your body contouring options or to schedule a personal consultation, call 808-597-8835 or contact us online today.
