Buttock Augmentation
	By Dr. Anthony Lockwood M.D., F.R.C.S.C. www.thefirstglance.ca View Dr. Lockwood's profile

Gluteal (Buttock) Augmentation is for the person who has not developed proportionate gluteal muscles, lacks adequate buttock fat or simply wishes to enlarge, lift and shape the buttock mounds. The buttocks are augmented with the use of implants designed to achieve an individual’s desired effect and match their general body build. These implants are made out of soft, solid implantable grade silicone polymers and are significantly different from breast implants. Gluteal implants are for anyone who is in good health, average physical condition, and desires more curve or proportion to their body. Routinely, other body contouring implants, such as breast implants and calf implants, are requested at the same time to achieve the desired well-balanced physique.

About the Procedure

Gluteal implants are soft, solid silicone. The implants are placed above the sitting area for maximum cosmetic effect; therefore, you never actually sit on them.

The implant may be placed into each buttock area between the fascia (thick connective tissue covering the muscle) and the muscle itself, or intra-muscularly (inside the muscle structure), or below the muscle through a single incision where the cheek meets the back of the thigh, or just above the “crack” of the buttocks cheeks. A pocket just large enough for the implant will be created and the implant will be inserted into this pocket. Your physician will check both sides to ensure they are symmetrical. Stitches are placed to close the incision and a bandage that provides compression to the buttocks is applied to help reduce pain and swelling.

Anesthesia may be general or light sleep sedation. You may leave the office surgical center soon after you have recovered from the anesthesia and you have been examined one last time for potential complications.

Recovery Period

You may be very uncomfortable for the first several days, and it is important that someone stay with you at least overnight on your first night home to assist in getting in and out of bed, preparing meals, etc. Due to the possibility of complications, it is necessary for you to stay in contact with your physician for the first three to four days.

The taped dressing on your incisions to provide compression is usually removed within two to three days. After this, you can take showers and move around more normally. There will be swelling and bruising which you can treat with your prescribed pain medication and ice packs. The sutures are removed in about ten days. It is very important that you do not move around too quickly as this can cause the incision to open.

You can expect to be down for about two weeks, and it will be necessary to sleep on your stomach during that time. You should be back to reasonable activities by the end of the second week, except for exercise.

You may return to your normal lifestyle, like gym work, bicycling and running, about eight weeks after surgery. It may take six or eight months before everything feels “normal”.

While the enhancement can be seen immediately, the buttocks will continue to appear more normal as the muscle stretches and heals for several months following surgery.

Risks and Complications

The surgical risks are similar to any surgical intervention. Surgical risks and complications may include bleeding, infection, hematoma, seroma, nerve damage, or muscle damage resulting in reduced strength. Due to the surgical location and proximity to the anal opening, risk of infection may be higher than some other surgeries.

Non-surgical risks include the possibility of implant movement or displacement post- procedure or asymmetry (one cheek appearing larger or smaller than the other). Implant dislocation occurs most frequently due to patient non-compliance with post-operative instructions.