Buttock Implants

Buttock implants are designed to give the buttocks a shapelier and rounder appearance. Silicone butt implants can be placed into the gluteal muscle or just below. Buttock implants are often recommended for people who are considered unsuitable for a Brazilian butt lift (BBL) due to insufficient fat stores. Surgeons sometimes combine buttock implant surgery with a BBL to achieve synergistic results.

RELATED: Butt Implants vs BBL

PLEASE NOTE- BUTTOCK IMPLANTS ARE NO LONGER OFFERED AT CENTRE FOR SURGERY – THIS PAGE IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY.

Please see our skinny BBL page for an alternative treatment.

Buttock implants are designed to create a firmer, rounder and more projected butt. Compared with a non-surgical butt lift, buttock implant surgery produces permanent results, with only one procedure required to produce an enhanced buttock appearance.

Do butt implants look natural?

The results of buttock implants, including how natural they look, will depend on where the surgeon chooses to place the implants. There are two main surgical approaches for butt implant surgery:

Implants inserted beneath the gluteal muscle

This approach is associated with more natural-looking results but with a higher risk of potential nerve injury.

Implants inserted within the gluteal muscle

This is the safest method of inserting buttock implants with less risk of injury to the sciatic nerve, although the implants may be more likely to protrude.

When deciding between butt implants vs BBL, it is important to understand the pros and cons of each approach. A BBL involves liposuction and fat transfer to the buttocks to enhance size and shape with a fuller and more rounded appearance. Common liposuction areas include the abdomen, back or thighs. 360 liposuction or circumferential Liposuction is commonly combined with a BBL for a smaller, more sculpted torso with shapelier buttocks. Compared with butt implants, a BBL can produce natural-looking results without the potential risks and complications associated with buttock implants.

RELATED: BBL & Gluteal Fat Grafting – BAAPS Update

In many cases, the surgeon may combine both procedures in the same operation to produce enhanced results that neither technique can achieve on its own. For women with limited areas of excess fat, a mini BBL can be combined with buttock implants. Fat injected around the implants helps create a more natural appearance. Using buttock implants may produce more predictable results than fat transfer surgery alone. The body will always reabsorb a certain amount of fat as part of the fat transfer process.

RELATED: What are the different types of Brazilian Butt Lift or BBL?

Buttock implant surgery is an invasive medical procedure which involves certain risks. This is why it is important to be in an ideal state of physical and mental health and not have any chronic medical conditions that could impair wound healing, such as diabetes. Patients should be non-smokers. The procedure is most commonly recommended for people who do not have sufficient fat in the body to have BBL surgery and who have flattened or square-shaped buttocks.

The procedure is not suitable for those who are active smokers and are unable to stop smoking at least six weeks before and after the procedure. People prone to significant weight fluctuations are also unsuitable as this increases the risk of implant malposition. People who have lost significant weight are also unsuitable for the procedure, as saggy skin does help to support the correct implant placement. The recovery after buttock implants is longer than other types of buttock surgery, and patients need to be psychologically prepared for a recovery that could exceed eight weeks.

You will receive comprehensive preoperative instructions before your procedure. The risk of complications can be minimised by avoiding smoking for a minimum of six weeks before and after the procedure and avoiding medications that contain aspirin. Aspirin-containing medicines are known to increase the risk of bleeding during and after the procedure. Herbal supplements should also be avoided for the same reason.

The buttock implant procedure is performed under general anaesthesia. General anaesthesia allows you to be completely comfortable throughout your procedure without experiencing any pain or discomfort. The procedure takes between one and two hours to perform, depending on the precise location of the gluteal implant placement. Once you have been placed under anaesthesia, the surgeon will make a midline incision located between the buttocks, most commonly at the upper part. Surgical pockets will be created to accommodate the buttock implants, which will be located either within the gluteal muscle itself or below it. Although implants placed beneath the gluteal muscle give a more natural-looking shape, dissecting beneath the muscle may increase the risk of nerve injury, leading to uneven results due to gluteal muscle paralysis. The most common approach is placing implants within the gluteal muscle to minimise the risk of sciatic nerve injury. There is a slightly higher risk of excessive projection of the butt implant with placement inside the muscle as the implant is not as deeply situated within the buttock compared to implants placed beneath the muscle.

The implants are inserted using a specialised implant funnel to minimise the risk of implant-related contamination. Once the implants are in the correct location, the surgeon will close the incisions with dissolvable stitches and apply a sterile dressing.

It is important to follow the postoperative recovery instructions after having buttock implants to minimise the risk of complications occurring. You should avoid putting direct pressure on the gluteal region for a minimum of two weeks after surgery. This will give time for the implants to stabilise in the new position. Showering should be avoided for a minimum of 48 hours after surgery. Taking the postoperative antibiotics prescription as directed by your surgeon is important to minimise the risk of infection. Constipation after surgery can be minimised by using a stool softener to avoid excessive straining. Your surgeon may insert surgical drains to allow the egress of tissue fluids. Drains are removed approximately 3 to 4 days after the procedure. You must wear your compression garment continuously for the first four weeks after surgery to stabilise the position of the implants. The garment can be removed to shower and must be reapplied immediately after that.

It is essential to take it easy for the first few weeks after surgery. Complications after buttock implant surgery are significantly higher compared with breast implants. You should avoid sleeping on your back for a minimum of two weeks after surgery to minimise excessive pressure on the buttocks. A specialised support pillow can be used beneath your thighs when sitting for at least eight weeks after surgery. As long as your recovery and healing have been smooth, most people can return to work after two weeks, although you will still need to use the hamstring pillow if you intend to sit down for any period of time. Patients can return to most forms of exercise after eight weeks, including going to the gym. Your surgeon will advise you on the appropriate timing when you have a clinical review six weeks after your procedure.

Will I have scars after buttock implant surgery?

As with any type of surgery, an incision will result in the formation of a scar. The amount of scarring will be determined by the length of the incision as well as its location. Your surgeon aims to place the incision within natural skin folds to minimise the appearance of any scarring. You will also receive detailed postoperative instructions on how to look after the incision lines to ensure they heal smoothly, which will help minimise the appearance of scars.

How long does it take to see butt implant results?

Although you will see an immediate improvement in the appearance of your buttocks, there will be significant swelling during the first four weeks after surgery. Once the swelling has reduced after six weeks, you will begin to see the initial results of the surgery, with final results being seen between three and six months after butt implants.

What are the risks and complications of buttock implants?

As with any type of procedure, there are certain risks associated with buttock implant surgery that can be minimised by choosing a highly experienced consultant plastic surgeon with specialist expertise in buttock implant surgery. Certain complications associated with this procedure include:

• Bleeding and haematoma formation
• Wound separation
• Excessive scarring
• Implant malposition
• Buttock asymmetry
• Implant rupture
• Surgical site infection

Gluteal implants have a higher rate of potential complications compared with BBL surgery. A revision procedure may be required in up to 25% of cases. The gluteal muscles are some of the strongest muscles in the human body. The implants can be subject to high levels of contractile forces from the surrounding muscles, which may lead to implant displacement over time.

The cost of buttock implants will be determined by several factors, including the type of implants chosen, your selected surgeon, the clinic’s location and whether the procedure will be combined with a Brazilian butt lift. Custom-designed butt implants will cost considerably more compared with standard implants.

Are buttock implants worth it?

Gluteal implants are often chosen for creating a round and firmer buttock shape. People with slender or lean bodies may not have enough fat to have a Brazilian butt lift (BBL). Patients should know that the procedure has a prolonged recovery period and a higher complication rate. Your plastic surgeon will provide customised recommendations on the most appropriate treatment option and associated risks once you have had a detailed clinical assessment at your consultation.

Medical references

• What to Know About Butt Implants
• What are buttock enhancement surgeries?
• Everything You Need to Know About Butt Implants

Centre for Surgery is the leading cosmetic surgery clinic in London. Our surgeons have years of experience in carrying out buttock contouring surgery, including BBL, skinny BBL and surgical buttock lifts. Our state-of-the-art Baker Street clinic in Marylebone is a centre of excellence for buttock surgery.