Buttocks Augmentation Procedures: Brazilian Butt Lift and Sculptra

Although the technique has been around for decades, Brazillian Butt Lifts have been brought back into the limelight by the attention given to the world-famous derrieres of celebrities such as Kim Kardashian and Nicky Minaj.

The Brazillian Butt Lift is a form of fat grafting, in which fat is harvested from one area of the body and injected into another. Pioneered in Brazil by world-renowned plastic surgeon Ivo Pitanguy, the procedure takes place in two stages:

1. Liposuction of excess fat from the abdomen, love handles, or other areas of the body.
2. Purification and transfer of the fat into the buttocks.

Not only does the procedure lift and shape the buttocks, but the removal of unwanted fat from other areas of the body offers the benefit of shaping and contouring those areas as well.

Small, thin tubes called “cannula” are inserted into tiny cuts in the skin and used to suction out excess fat. This fat is then processed and purified. In the second part of the procedure, the processed fat is reinjected multiple times into the buttocks at varying depths, drawing on the plastic surgeon’s skill and experience to ensure that the proper areas are targeted to achieve the desired shape as a final result. The transferred fat cells are then naturally integrated into the body in their new form.

Surgery usually takes two to three hours, depending on the amount of liposuction required. Anesthesia is used, either on the targeted areas affected or administered generally. Although the liposuction can cause some discomfort, there is little to no pain from the fat injections.

Note that some fat cells do not survive the process, and that the projection of the buttocks may decrease during recovery. On average, patients retain 75% of the transferred fat. This is perfectly normal and part of the healing process.

With qualified medical personnel and the proper equipment and techniques, there are usually few medical complications apart from the usual risks associated with surgery.

Candidates for a Brazillian Butt Lift need to be in good overall health, and have an adequate amount of excess body fat that can be removed and transplanted. Ideal patients for this procedure are generally under the age of 50, with a BMI of under 35. Patients who lack the excess fat required for transfer may choose to receive Sculptra injections instead.

Having performed butt enhancement procedures on countless patients, covering a wide range of body types and aesthetic goals, Dr. Breslow, our board-certified plastic surgeon, is among the most experienced in New Jersey. Feel free to discuss your expectations in detail with him prior to planning such a procedure.

An hour or two of observation is typical, after which the patient can return home with a compression band, which remains for about a week

The first week after surgery should be focused on healing, taking special precautions when sitting or lying to minimize disruption and discomfort. Two to three weeks after the procedure patients should be able to resume most activities, such as walking and less strenuous exercise, while still paying special attention when sitting or lying.

Some swelling is to be expected in the first few weeks. After 3-6 months all areas should be healed, revealing the buttock’s final shape and size. Supervision and feedback from the plastic surgeon is important to ensuring a healthy and stress-free transition back to normal activities.

Plastic surgery can often be the solution for people looking to improve the shape and volume of their butt. Enhancement procedures such as the Brazillian Butt Lift, however, can be physically demanding and require significant periods of downtime.

Sculptra is a unique, pain-free, no-scalpel alternative to surgery that produces results you will see in both improved shape and size of your behind.

As butt augmentation procedures grow in popularity faster than any other plastic surgery techniques, Sculptra is increasingly becoming the procedure of choice for New Jersey men and women seeking the benefits of butt enhancement surgery, but without the recovery time and discomfort.

Sculptra is a non-invasive, non-surgical technique that uses dermal filler injections to add volume and shape to specific areas of the body. No anesthesia is required, and patients can resume their ordinary activities almost immediately after.

This revolutionary injectable treatment uses a synthetic, bio polylactic-acid-based formula to produce a mild inflammatory reaction in targeted areas of the body, causing the white blood cells in the region to attract fibroblast cells, which in turn create a hard, insoluble protein called collagen.

Collagen is commonly found in the bones, muscles, skin, and tendons. As we age, the body’s natural production of collagen slows down. Sculptra helps stimulate collagen production in the desired areas for a firmer, shapelier result. And since the main ingredient — lactic acid — is a naturally occurring substance in your body, there is no need to pretest for allergies.

In the days leading up to the procedure, the usual precautions need to be taken: let your plastic surgeon know about any medical issues you may be having, especially regarding factors that could complicate the normal process of bleeding and healing. Keep away from aspirin, ibuprofen, omega fish oils, and alcohol in the days and even weeks before you come in for treatment.

Since Sculptra does not require liposuction or surgery, no anaesthesia is necessary. However, for some patients a topical anesthetic can help to ease any possible discomfort from the injections.

First, the plastic surgeon marks the targeted areas on the buttocks. Next, a series of injections are performed. Once the injections are completed, the treated area is massaged in order to disperse the Sculptra particles evenly below the skin surface and avoid clumping or misshaping. Several treatments are usually required, at least a month apart.

Sculptra is a very safe procedure, although there are still a few risks to be aware of. Injections can lead to complications due to hematoma (blood pooling beneath the skin). Infection, necrosis, or skin loss are also possible, although rare.

Clumping is also a possibility, as particles may be dislodged or move from their original area of injection. Massaging the targeted areas in the days following treatment can help to avoid this outcome. Be sure to follow your plastic surgeon’s directions to minimize these risks.

Side effects are temporary, and generally limited to the usual effects of injections: