The conversation about curvier derrieres has created a movement in the world of cosmetic surgery and butt augmentation in particular. Even more so now that it can be achieved through better means – and that is through fat transfer to the buttocks. This approach has gained popularity because it doesn’t involve the use of foreign material, such as silicone, introduced into your body, and it allows you to get rid of the stubborn fat too.
1. Surgeon Selection
There have been some concerns raised about the safety of fat injections to the buttocks. This came about due to some reports of injuries associated with the procedure. While fat injection itself is minimally invasive, it only comes after a liposuction procedure which holds quite a number of risks. This is why patients should be more diligent in researching and selecting their surgeons.
When you go on a search for your surgeon, make sure to inquire about the following:
- Make sure your doctor is certified by checking with the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). This means that a physician has completed all the necessary requirements for membership in this professional organization.
- Ask where the procedure will be performed. There are surgeons who are allowed to perform the procedure in a surgery center or office facility. However, you must also check if the facility is accredited by the proper authorities.
- Ask for the surgeon’s portfolio so you can go through before and after photo. You may even ask if you can speak with some former patients.
- Ask how many similar procedures they have done and how frequently they do them.
- You can ask a surgeon of any deaths that they might have encountered with the procedure.
- Ask what is it about their technique that makes it safe.
- Inquire about the other people who may be involved in your care. Anaesthetists, nurses and other ancillary personnel also play a large impact in your entire surgical experience. It also pays to know if they are qualified and if they have good bedside manners.
These points can help drive a conversation on important matters. Never hesitate to ask questions or clarify your concerns especially when your safety is on the line.
2. Candidate Selection
The best candidates for fat transfer are patients who have a fair amount of stubborn fat in the abdomen, waist, hips, and lower back. The fat that will be removed must also be accessible, which means that this should be extra-abdominal fat (the fat that you can grab with your hand), and not intra-abdominal fat (fat around the liver and guts).
Surgeons also see to it that a patient’s buttocks are not significantly thinned out and hanging over the buttock crease touching the posterior thighs. In these cases, the patient is advised to get a butt lift instead.
Fat injections can benefit those who lack fullness in their buttocks and those who do not have a well-defined V-zone separation along the top where the cheeks diverge. These individuals often do not have a clear demarcation as to where the back ends and the buttocks begin. This is why they must have excess fat for transfer. If you don’t have enough fat, then you may first have to undergo a “booty camp.” This means that you need to gain at least 15-20 pounds before surgery.
It is also crucial that a potential patient can commit to a post-operative recovery regimen. It is also necessary that they are in good medical health and has a reasonably good skin tone.
3. The Process
This procedure mainly rely on fat transfer to achieve the desired results. The surgeon will first remove fat from the trouble areas which are identified during consultation. The fats will be extracted through liposuction. The harvested fats are then spun in a centrifuge to separate the fats from any fluid and anaesthetic solution which came with it during liposuction. It is “filtered” so that only the healthy fat cells remain.
Usually, the cheeks of the buttocks are anaesthetized with a local anaesthetic prior to fat injection. The fat grafts will then be administered into your buttocks using small syringes through a layered pattern to assure graft survival.
4. Pain
To be honest, the procedure doesn’t come without any pain. Expect that the healing period comes with quite a bit of discomfort during the first 24-48 hours. The bruising and swelling can leave your body sore and tender. The average pain can last around 3-7 days, but this will largely depend on the amount of fat injected on each buttock. Some may experience it longer, but the pain will already be manageable that the patient can already go back to work.
It is worth noting that pain tolerance varies from person to person. However, most surgeons describe it to be similar to having worked out very hard that you end up feeling sore.
5. No Sitting
We never realize how much time we use to sit until we can’t sit anymore. This is not to fend you off, but to give you a heads up. It is true that you may not sit directly on your bottom immediately after surgery and for two, or even six weeks, after that. Surgeons recommend that you do not place pressure on the top part of your buttocks. Use a pillow under your thighs to alleviate any pressure on the area.
This “no-sitting rule” is crucial because the fat transferred needs to assimilate with its new environment so you can have the best possible result with your butt augmentation. Surgeons claim that there is a dramatic difference in patients who are meticulous about not sitting or using a pillow, compared to those who are not so keen on following this instruction seriously.
Each surgeon has their own protocol, even for laying on your back. Discuss this with them ahead of time so you can make arrangements for your recovery period.
6. Cost
The typical cost for a Brazillian Butt Lift in Sydney is around AU$8,451 to AU$13,000, with an average cost of AU$10,500. The average cost across Australia is around AU$8,500. You can expect the cost to vary by geographic location, surgeon, and complexity of the procedure.
The best way for you to get a customized estimate is to go on a personal consultation. Approach at least 3 board-certified doctors to see which among them can give you the approach and price that suits your needs. While it is understandable that you must keep an eye on your budget, don’t allow it to undermine quality by settling for something cheap. Strive for quality results within a reasonable budget. The least expensive surgery is one that is done correctly the first time.
7. Complications
- Infection
- Seroma and hematoma (the accumulation of blood under the skin)
- Reaction to anesthesia
- Damages of the underlying structure
- Scarring
- Skin necrosis and fat necrosis
- Poor and unexpected results
- Asymmetry
8. Aftercare
Since every surgeon come with their own aftercare treatment protocol, always remember to follow the specific instructions given. This allows you to make the proper arrangements ahead of time because this also ensures a full, safe and fast recovery. Don’t rush into things and also be observant of any untoward changes (e.g. prolonged and excessive bleeding) so that you can report it to your surgeon right away. Following post-surgery instructions reduces the risks of potential complications.
9. Take Care of the Donor Areas
Just as you would care for recipient site, you must also give the donor areas the aftercare it deserves. Liposuction can cause swelling and some extra space in which a compression garment is able to reshape. Wearing one, under the surgeon’s advice, prevents swelling and it allows the skin to adhere to the new form better.
10. Final Results
Since there is some degree of trauma to the buttock region, bruising and swelling is also inevitable. However, most patients would say that it was all worth it. Results are already visible after surgery, although for some patients, it can take several weeks before they can observe a change on the treated area.
As discussed earlier, results of a fat transfer to the buttocks largely depends on the competence of your surgeon. Even if it may seem easier when compared to the other option, the process involves an interplay of both science and art. Therefore it is crucial that your surgeon have a deep understanding of the different factors that goes into the procedure. This will make surgery worth it.
Butt augmentation is a big investment in time and money, and it pays that you are reading this now because it is the first step in the right direction. We want to stress the importance of understanding the process and what it entails. Don’t just think about what you may get, but also consider all the other factors that come into play.
Book a consultation with Dr. Daood today to discuss more on fat grafting to shape your behind. Call us today for an appointment because with evaluation, you get to know whether what you need is a butt enlargement or a butt lift.