A BOUNCE IN your behind

THE BASICS OF BUTTOCKS PROCEDURES

BY ANNETTE BROOKS

Booty beauty is no longer just a passion for rich and famous trendsetters. Having a rounder, more well-shaped backside has become engrained in our culture, encouraging more of us to seek ways to improve the appearance of our hips and buttocks.

Luckily, you have choices to consider if you want to upgrade your caboose, and your plastic surgeon may recommend combining a couple of techniques to give you the results you desire.

BRAZILIAN BUTT LIFT (BBL)

This surgical procedure involves shaping the buttocks and contouring other areas of your body. Unwanted fat is removed by liposuction from one or more locations, such as your stomach, hips, thighs, or lower back, and then it’s injected into your buttocks. Volume is increased naturally without implants to create a rounder, more pleasing shape.

Talk with your plastic surgeon to understand how long your results may last and what to expect during recovery. According to ClevelandClinic.com, you won’t be able to sit or lie down on your backside for at least two weeks. After this, “you may be able to sit for short periods of time on a specially designed pillow that evenly distributes pressure. You won’t be able to sit without your pillow for approximately eight weeks.”

BUTTOCK LIFT

Aging, pregnancy, weight fluctuations, and genetic factors can create poor tissue elasticity that causes the bottom to sag. If your booty has lost its perkiness, consider a buttock lift, also called a gluteal lift. During this procedure, an incision is made in your lower back, often from hip to hip, and then excess sagging skin and fat are removed to improve the area’s overall shape and tone.

Since buttock lifts only remove excess fat and skin, it’s common to add contour and volume by combing the procedure with a Brazilian Butt Lift or butt implants. Expect your plastic surgeon to develop a customized treatment plan to address your unique needs and goals.

BUTT IMPLANTS

Unlike injecting your own fat into the buttocks to shape the area, artificial devices called butt implants are surgically placed to create a rounder, shapelier look. Solid silicone implants, which have a soft and natural texture and cannot leak, are surgically placed deep within the tissue, usually via an incision between the cheeks. Ask your plastic surgeon about the pros and cons of placing the implants above or below the gluteal muscle so you can make an informed decision.

Compared to a Brazilian Butt Lift, which is considered semi- permanent, butt implants may permanently maintain shape and volume. Yet as with a buttock lift, it’s common for butt implants to be combined with fat grafting for optimal results.

BRAZILIAN BUTT LIFT WITHOUT SURGERY

Looking for a nonsurgical solution? Consider contouring with injectable fillers as a minimally invasive, nonsurgical alternative. Generally, Sculptra, an FDA-cleared filler that naturally works with your body to build collagen, is used off-label for buttock shaping because it lasts longer than hyaluronic acid-based fillers. You’ll typically need two to three injection sessions for optimal results. Keep in mind that Sculptra works gradually to build collagen. It typically takes a few weeks for results to become noticeable. Your outcome can last for roughly two to three years.