Results and Risks of Buttock Lift
Tightening a saggy buttock through surgery is a procedure that many women go for to address specific areas of their bodies. This procedure has gained popularity, especially when exercise alone fails to achieve the desired appearance. To understand more about the surgery, its process, risks, and permanent results, follow this article.
Buttock lift procedure:
This procedure eliminates the saggy appearance of the buttocks caused by excess skin and tissues. It can be due to various factors, such as weight loss, aging, or gravity. The procedure can be performed alone or in combination with other procedures, like a circular tummy tuck.
Candidates for buttock lift surgery:
Surgery to tighten saggy buttocks may be considered for individuals who have not achieved the desired firmness through diet and exercise. It can be performed for those who:
• Have lost skin elasticity due to significant weight loss or aging.
• Have aesthetic concerns such as protrusions, wrinkles, sagging, or cellulite in the buttocks.
• Are non-smokers.
• Have realistic expectations and specific goals for the surgery.
• Follow a healthy diet and lifestyle, and be physically fit.
Preparation for buttock lift surgery:
Preparation for the surgery involves discussing several important points regarding health, surgical alternatives, patient expectations, and lifestyle:
• The reason for desiring the surgery and the expected outcomes.
• The patient's health status and any allergies he may have.
• Current medications, drug use, alcohol consumption, or herbal supplements.
• Evaluation of overall health and assessment of risk factors that may complicate the surgery and results.
• Body examination, detailed measurements, taking photographs, and documenting them in the patient's medical record.
• The potential risks and side effects, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the side effects before signing the consent for the surgery.
Buttock lift surgery:
The buttocks tightening procedure is performed in the hospital under general anesthesia as part of a body lift surgery or a circular tummy tuck surgery. The surgeon eliminates excess skin and fat and tightens the tissues according to the patient's body. The doctor makes a surgical incision at or just below the waist, which is usually combined with a tummy tuck. Sometimes, a surgical incision is made directly below the buttock or between the thighs and the upper hips. Dr. Ahmed Mekkawy removes excess skin and loose tissues and closes the surgical incisions with cosmetic sutures.
Results of buttock tightening:
The results of buttocks tightening are immediately noticeable, but the tightened tissues still need rest and stability during the first three to six months. It may take up till two years for the incision to fully recover. The surgery does not add a new shape or size to the buttocks but gives them a more attractive and proportionate appearance with the rest of the body. The surgery can eliminate loose tissues and excess skin, providing long-lasting results that can last for years, provided that you maintain your weight, commit to exercise, and follow a healthy lifestyle. Scars also continue to heal until they fade away and become barely noticeable.
Recovery after buttock tightening:
After the surgery, the patient may experience mild to moderate pain, which may be controlled with pain medications. Bruising and swelling may also occur, and full recovery after surgery usually takes four to six months. Swelling typically subsides within two to three weeks after the surgery. It is important to avoid activities that involve strenuous physical exertion or exercise for three months after the surgery.
Side effects of buttock tightening surgery:
The surgery may have temporary side effects and risks similar to those of other surgical procedures, including:
• Temporary numbness that lasts for several months before gradual sensation returns.
• Pain in the buttocks persists for several weeks and can be managed with pain medication.
• Gradual resolution of swelling occurs over six months, which can be a concern if it continues longer.
• Nausea is a side effect of general anesthesia.
• Allergic reactions to surgical instruments and gloves can range from redness to rash and irritation.
• General discomfort and a feeling of heaviness in the body can be overcome with pain relievers.
• Swollen and inflamed veins due to interaction with medications if administered intravenously.
• Appearance of surgical sutures within a few weeks, requiring the intervention of a surgeon for removal.
Some risks may occur after surgery, including the following:
Infection: Infection can be transmitted to the patient if the surgeon does not properly sterilize the surgical instruments or if proper care is not taken to clean and care for the surgical incisions as recommended by the doctor. Symptoms of infection may include persistent redness, constant discomfort, an abnormally high fever, the presence of green or yellow fluids, or foul odors from the surgical incisions. If these symptoms occur, you must seek immediate medical attention. The doctor will give you some instructions for wound care and prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection. In some cases, the doctor increases the dosage of antibiotics.
Scar formation: After the procedure, there may be some larger incisions that will fade over time. However, the surgery may cause scars due to the need for a significant surgical incision.
Fat absorption: When using fat to enhance the appearance and firmness of the buttocks, the body may naturally absorb the fat as it would in normal circumstances, or it may increase if the body weight increases or physical fitness is not maintained. So buttocks should not be subjected to pressure for two weeks, and you should wear a compression garment at all times except during bathing for two to three weeks after the surgery.
Need for redo surgery: Although the results of buttock lift surgery are usually satisfactory, sometimes further surgery may be required to correct the results if the patient is not satisfied or if there is a lack of consistency in the results.
Fluid accumulation: This can occur due to damage of some cells and blood vessels which secrete fluids that accumulate under the skin in surgical incisions. This can cause uncomfortable swelling and increase the risk of infection. Proper care of the surgical incisions should be taken to avoid inflammation or fluid accumulation underneath.
Severe bleeding: Bleeding may occur due to poor healing of the surgical incisions, or as a result of blood-thinning medications. Therefore, you should avoid excessive activity during the first month after surgery to prevent an increased risk of bleeding that may require a blood transfusion or additional surgery.
Tissue necrosis: Tissue necrosis can occur due to inadequate blood and nutrient supply to the tissues, leading to their death. This condition is more common among smokers, so quitting smoking is advised several weeks before and after surgery.
Prolonged loss of sensation: The patient may experience numbness after the surgery as a side effect. Sensation gradually returns, but in cases where nerves are damaged during the surgery, the numbness duration prolongs or may not fully recover. The sensation may not return at all.
Blood clots: Blood clots or hematomas can occur in surgical incisions and can develop into deep vein thrombosis in the legs or can migrate to the brain, heart, or lungs, posing a life-threatening risk.
All these risks are rare and can be avoided by choosing a highly skilled and experienced surgeon, such as Dr. Ahmed Mekkawy, the best plastic and hair transplant surgeon in Egypt. In addition, he will identify the risk factors for these complications during the preoperative stage and prescribe anticoagulant medications before and after surgery to prevent these risks. It is important to contact him immediately in cases of persistent skin redness, swelling, or irritation.
In conclusion, dear reader, undergoing buttock lift surgery is a personal decision that requires careful consideration of the benefits and advantages that result from the surgery, as well as the potential side effects and complications that can be avoided by selecting a good doctor. For more information, contact Dr. Ahmed Mekkawy, a consultant in plastic surgery and body sculpting.
This content has been reviewed by Dr. Ahmed Mekkawy, a consultant in cosmetic surgery, body contouring, and natural hair transplantation.
