Buttock implants are solid silicone implants placed surgically to increase projection, shape, and firmness of the buttocks. They’re different from injectabelfillers and from fat transfer (BBL).
They’re usually considered when:
- Someone is very lean and doesn’t have enough fat for a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL)
- They want more projection than fat transfer alone can provide
- They want a permanent, predictable volume
The surgery (high level)
- Single intergluteal incision or bilateral paramedian incisions
- Implants placed within or under the gluteal muscle
- General anesthesia
- Outpatient or short stay
Recovery
- Sitting is restricted for several weeks
- Swelling is significant early on
- Return to normal activity: ~6–8 weeks
- Final results: ~3 months after implant settling
Pros
- Works even if you’re very thin
- Long-lasting volume
- No need for donor fat
Cons /Risk
- Higher complication rate than fat transfer
- Risk of infection, implant shifting, firmness, or discomfort
- Sitting restrictions are less intense than BBL recovery
Case Study
This thin female who initially had a flat buttocks with inferior lower buttock descent after weight loss was initially treated with a first stage lower buttock lifts. After three months of healing she presented for the second stage buttock implants
Through paired paramedian upper buttock incisions an intramuscular pockets were developed by blunt dissection. Then 300cce soft solid buttock implants were placed using a funnel insertion device.
After the installation of Exparel local anesthetic into the implant pockets a multilayer closure was done with resorbable sutures.
The immediate effects of the implants showed improved projection without excessive stretching/pressure on the lower infragluteal scar.
Discussion
The key issue of placing buttock implants after a lower buttock lift is the pocket location of the implant. Even though a lower buttock lift creates scar tissue it is below the level of the buttock implants. Thus the implants are not risking placing pressure on the lower buttock lift scar. Because of this implants after a lift carry no higher risks than that of implants alone.
The timing of buttock implants after a buttock lift should be when the lift is well healed but the scar does not have to be fully mature. This is a minimum of three months.
Implant pocket considerations:
- Implant pockets are not harder to create safely
- The muscle dissection is not restricted
- Implant size is limited by the muscle and not the lift
- Intra- or submuscular implant placement is usually safest
Bottom line
Buttock implants following a lower buttock lift is part of a two stage approach to treating the flat deflated buttocks that has significant inferior buttock tissue descent.
Barry Eppley, MD, DMD
World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon