The shape of the bottom has received a great deal of media attention in recent years, thanks to some well-known celebrity curves. This surgical procedure uses your own fat rather than implants, so it is the most natural way to augment your buttocks.
This surgery was traditionally done with implants, but the medical evidence shows us that the complication rate for implant surgery to the bottom is in the order of 15-20% (see my textbook on ‘Evidence Based Cosmetic Surgery’ for the full analysis). I believe that is unacceptably high and therefore do not offer buttock implants to my patients. Instead I recommend buttock enhancement by fat grafting – termed a Brazilian Butt Lift. This combination of reducing volume from certain areas by liposuction (such as the flanks and the small of the back) and volume augmentation of other areas (by fat grafting). About one third of the grafted fat is reabsorbed by your body – the rest is retained permanently, and gains or loses weight exactly as it would have done at its original site.
Surgery is performed under general anaesthesia and lasts 2-3 hours. Many patients choose to stay one night in the hospital although you could go home on the day of surgery if you prefer. I then follow you up in the outpatient clinic one week later.
You’ll most likely need to take 2 weeks off work as you need to avoid sitting for the first two weeks. You can resume light exercise in 4-6 weeks.
General Anaesthetic
Reasonably mobile: 1 day
Garments/support cushion: I recommend a compression garment for the fat donor site, and avoiding too much pressure over your grafted bottom
Hospital stay: 0-1 nights
Washing: Keep dressings dry until one week review
Full recovery: Wounds are healed in one week, full results in 3 months
Surgery time: 2-3 hours
Driving: Short trips from 2 weeks
We advise patients to stop smoking 2 week before and after any surgery
Time off work: 2 weeks
Exercise: 4-6 weeks
Price: £6300 to £7800