Autologous Fat Grafting (Brazilian Buttock Lift)

This involves the liposuction of adipocytes from the thigh, waist or abdomen of patients. Abundant fats are injected layer by layer to buttock depression areas after purification and mixture with growth factors to replenish lost tissues and sculpt a relatively plump buttock shape. The advantage of this surgery is the easy and economic source of fats and the absence of the emplacement of an artificial prosthesis to avoid complications like foreign body reaction or displacement. Nevertheless, as buttocks are subject to frequent activities and compression every day, injected fats are predisposed to distinct self-absorption, so a relatively large volume of fats needs to be injected to prevent premature loss as a result of fat absorption. Moreover, as adipocytes can only fulfill the objective of filling or plumping up due to their characteristics and density, they are less likely to enhance buttock support and projection; thus, this method is not suitable for patients with congenitally flat buttocks or aging-related buttock droopiness.

Surgical conditions

Duration

0.5hr
  • Type of anesthesia: General anesthesia
  • Type of incision: Injection needle holes at the buttockA 0.5-cm incision for liposuction at the thigh
  • Recovery: 3–5 days
  • Removal of stitches: 7–10 days

General instructions

No food and water on the day of surgery

0hr
  • Lie in the prone position and avoid squeezing the fat grafting site of the buttock for 1 week postoperatively.
  • Avoid strenuous activities of the buttock or massage for 2 weeks postoperatively.
  • Wear buttock lift pants for 3 months postoperatively to promote the fixation of buttock fats.
  • Eat more high-gelatin or high-protein foods for 6 months postoperatively to promote fat survival.

Ideal candidates

  • Patients with mild or early buttock ptosis
  • Those with upper buttock depression due to again or drastic weight loss
  • Those with atrophy and depression of gluteal muscles as a result of improper injection during childhood
  • Those with buttock appearance defects incurred by trauma or surgery
  • Those with asymmetrical buttocks that need to be adjusted

Possible complications

  • Excess fat absorption
  • Uneven absorption
  • Fat mass
  • Fat ptosis
  • Results short of expectation

Surgical advantages

  1. Because of complete autologous fat grafting, there are no complications of foreign body implantation.

  2. Only needle holes and no scars are noticed after the surgery.

  3. The touch is as natural as an authentic buttock.

  4. Regional injection or enhancement is customized in light of patients’ requirements.

Surgical disadvantages

  1. Fats are more susceptible to reabsorption, and long-term results cannot be guaranteed.

  2. It cannot render distinct support or elevation to patients with aging-related or severe sagging of buttocks.

  3. It may incur fat mass or calcification.

  4. It may induce uneven absorption or unequal size of bilateral buttocks.

  5. The excess preservation of fats may also speed up buttock sagging.

  6. Secondary fat grafting may be needed in the future.

Possible procedures in conjunction

Before & After

These photographs represent typical results, but not everyone who undergoes plastic surgery will achieve the same.

Autologous Fat Grafting (Brazilian Buttock Lift)