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Adding Volume to the Backside for Bryn Mawr, Newtown Square, Philadelphia, and the Main Line
While a lot of women put significant effort into flattening their abdomen for a toned look, these same women may want more curves on their backside. One way to achieve this is with a procedure known as buttock augmentation. There are two ways this cosmetic surgical procedure is typically performed. One method uses implants to increase the buttocks’ roundness. The other method makes use of a patient’s own fat to do the same, and is commonly known as a Brazilian butt lift. Bryn Mawr, Newtown Square, and Philadelphia-area patients should know that Dr. Laura Gowen at Cirillo Center for Plastic Surgery employs the fat-grafting method.
A Brazilian butt lift involves liposuction to remove fat from where it isn’t wanted on the patient’s body (often the abdomen, back, hips, or thighs). Next, this fat is injected back into the buttocks where the patient desires fullness. Liposuction in the lower back, flanks, and hips thins these areas, which also creates an illusion of fuller buttocks, adding to the effect.
Meet Plastic Surgeon
Laura A. Gowen, M.D.
Board-certified and breast-fellowship trained plastic surgeon Laura A. Gowen, M.D., draws on her extensive experience and uses advanced techniques to create beautiful, natural results for both cosmetic and reconstructive surgery patients.
Who Is a Good Candidate for a Brazilian Butt Lift?
There are several reasons a person may want buttock augmentation. One of the most common is significant weight loss. Being overweight can mean there is significant volume in the buttocks, which, over time, can stretch the skin out. If fat cells in the buttocks shrink due to a lifestyle change (consistent exercise and dieting) or bariatric surgery, the skin may not follow suit. Instead of conforming to the new contours, skin can hang loose, giving the entire backside a saggy look. Age-related changes can also lead to unwanted contours over time.
Some people have never had significant volume in their buttocks and choose a Brazilian butt lift to get a fuller look for the first time in their lives. The surgery may be performed as a standalone procedure, or in combination with other body contouring efforts.
Ideal Brazilian butt lift candidates are those who are at or near a healthy weight for their height and age and who are not anticipating any upcoming life events—such as pregnancy—that might cause their shape or size to fluctuate. Maintaining a stable weight is important, as consuming more calories than are being burned can cause fat cells to swell, which can alter the results of Brazilian butt lift surgery.
What Does a Brazilian Butt Lift Involve?
After using the information gathered during a consultation to create a buttock augmentation plan tailored to the patient, Dr. Gowen will prepare for the actual surgery. A Brazilian butt lift may take three or more hours to complete as an outpatient procedure, during which patients will be under general anesthesia.
The first step in a Brazilian butt lift is harvesting the needed fat via liposuction. This step has the added benefit of reducing unwanted fat in an area that could benefit from some body contouring. As mentioned above, common areas for providing fat include the belly, lower back, hips, and thighs.
Since whole, living fat cells are required for a successful Brazilian butt lift, Dr. Gowen will take particular care in removing them. There are fat-removal techniques that involve breaking up or liquefying the cells prior to removal, but these are not appropriate strategies for harvesting fat cells suitable for implantation elsewhere. The standard tumescent technique involves injecting the targeted tissue with a solution to firm it up and constrict blood flow, then loosening and suctioning out fat cells with a specialized tool known as a cannula.
Once removed, the solid, usable fat will be separated from blood and unusable liquefied fat. The fat tissue and cells will be injected into key areas in the buttocks to augment them in a natural-looking way. These fat grafts, as they are known, will connect with the existing blood supply. Many patients prefer the Brazilian butt lift over augmentation with implants for this reason. Using fat from a patient’s own body minimizes the sorts of complications related to augmentation via implants.
The injection process is also more customizable, since implants are a predetermined size and shape. Injecting fat during a Brazilian butt lift allows Dr. Gowen to approach the area from all angles, ensuring that the added volume appears as natural as possible. Note that the area may appear overly filled at first, since, on average, about 70 percent of the fat cells survive after implantation. As an experienced plastic surgeon, Dr. Gowen takes this into account, creating contours that fit with the patient’s body.
Recovering From a Brazilian Butt Lift
Remember that a Brazilian butt lift is a combination of two procedures: liposuction and fat grafting. Because of this, the post-operative down time can vary, but patients should expect to plan for about two weeks away from work or other activities. A compression garment may be a necessary part of the recovery process, as it can help manage swelling and provide needed support.
The area where fat cells were harvested may feel tender and appear bruised for several days. Similarly, the buttocks may feel sensitive or sore. Patients may consider getting a special pillow to sit on to ease their discomfort throughout the healing process.
In time, the feelings of discomfort will fade along with post-surgical swelling, and the new contours will be visible. Results are very long lasting, especially if Brazilian butt lift patients continue to maintain a healthy lifestyle and weight in the years following their procedure. Remember that fluctuations in weight can cause new contour changes on the buttocks or in the surrounding areas.
What Are My Options Besides a Brazilian Butt Lift?
For patients who want new backside contours but are not prepared for surgery, Cirillo Cosmetic Dermatology Spa offers EMSCULPT®, a high-intensity focused electromagnetic device that kills fat cells and builds muscle fibers by triggering tens of thousands of muscle contractions in 30 minutes. While this treatment reduces belly fat and improves abdominal muscle definition, it can also be used to provide a noninvasive butt lift. There are no incisions, sutures, or injections required.
Final Words on a Brazilian Butt Lift for Bryn Mawr, Newtown Square, and Philadelphia
Since a Brazilian butt lift involves removing fat from elsewhere on the body, there must obviously be excess fat elsewhere to remove. Patients who lack unwanted fat to be taken from a donor site, such as the abdomen or back, may want to look into options besides buttock augmentation with fat grafting.
Patients may also want to consider other body procedures to accompany the new contours and curves from a Brazilian butt lift. A tummy tuck can help reduce the appearance of flabbiness on the abdomen, while breast augmentation can add volume to the chest.
Dr. Laura Gowen is ready to speak with you about a Brazilian butt lift. Bryn Mawr, Newtown Square, and Philadelphia-area patients may contact Cirillo Center for Plastic Surgery to book a consultation in our Bryn Mawr office. Please BOOK ONLINE, call 610.672.0500, or Contact Us.