Understanding buttock lifts
The harmonious buttock should be round, shapely, projected, and firm without sagging or drooping skin.
In the case of a sagging buttock, the buttock is drooping. This can result in a flabby, drooping and/or deformed buttock with a prominent cellulite appearance on the buttock, which disappears when the buttock is pulled upwards. This is in fact false cellulite, caused by the skin being pulled up by muscular attachments as the buttock falls. The various treatments for cellulite have no effect, since the problem is not fatty, but cutaneous, linked to the slackening of the skin. The skin must therefore be tightened upwards, and cellulite disappears.
Intervention objectives
The aim is to tighten the skin of the buttock. This can be done in two ways:
- the upper buttock lift: this lifts the buttock upwards if the sagging skin affects the entire buttock. This involves a scar high above the buttocks, hidden in the panties. The best way to lift the buttocks
- Buttock lift: in some cases, the sagging only concerns the lower part of the buttock, with a downward shift of the sub-gluteal sulcus and a possible sub-gluteal banana. In such cases, treatment may consist in redefining the gluteal fold and removing excess skin by means of a scar hidden in the gluteal fold.
There are other associated objectives aimed at beautifying the buttocks:
- contouring of the buttocks by liposuction and possibly lipofilling
- increase buttock volume by lipofilling or by reintroducing a flap of fat into the buttock in the case of an upper buttock lift.
Buttock lift candidates
- Significant sagging of the buttocks after major weight loss or due to aging
- Loose buttocks and outer thighs, with significant orange-peel skin due to sagging skin
- Candidates must have realistic expectations and understand that
- A healthy physical and dietary lifestyle.
Buttock lift techniques
Upper buttock lift
Intervention principles
The principle is to remove a spindle of skin and fat above the buttocks, then to lift the buttock. The result is a firmer buttock and the correction of cellulite associated with sagging skin. Liposuction is frequently used to improve the contour of the buttocks.
If the buttock lacks volume, it is possible not to discard the fat contained in the spindle above the buttocks, but to reintroduce it into the buttocks. This creates the equivalent of a natural prosthesis, recreating the shape of the buttock. This technique is also used if upward buttock traction flattens the buttock too much, to create a contoured buttock. Buttock lipofilling can also be associated with volume-depleted buttocks.
In certain cases of massive weight loss, a buttock lift can be combined with a body lift to reshape the buttocks, thighs and abdomen.
The scar
It is V-shaped above the buttocks, hidden in the knickers, the point of which is in the gluteal cleft.
Buttock lift
More rarely performed, the aim is to remove the skin hanging under the buttock and recreate a subgluteal fold.
Generally, it is performed if the upper buttock lift is insufficient to lift the entire buttock, or immediately if excess skin is present mainly under the buttock.
The scar is hidden in the subgluteal fold. This allows a natural groove to be recreated.
Procedure
- 2 plastic surgery consultations, a consultation with the anesthetist.
- Stop smoking at least 1 month before, stop taking aspirin or anti-inflammatory drugs 10 days before buttock implants
- Signature of quotation, informed consent, and medical photography.
- Reflection period: 15 days between 1st consultation and buttock implants
General anesthesia for upper facelift. The buttock lift may be performed under sedation.
- Hospitalization lasts 1 night.
- No drain
- The procedure lasts an average of 2 hours.
- Moderate pain, the post-operative period is generally light.
- Limit sitting and avoid bending forward for 7 days to avoid scar disunion.
- Special care: wear a panty to ensure good buttock support. Anticoagulants for 15 days. Important nursing care around the scar to avoid any risk of disunion, as the gluteal fold is a fragile healing zone.
- Suture removal: no sutures are removed, they are resorbable
- The first shower is permitted the day after the operation.
- In the first weeks or months after surgery, there is usually some swelling and bruising, which lasts a fortnight,
- Resumption of physical activity: 6 weeks
- Return to work: 7 to 14 days
The result on the shape and appearance of the skin takes about 3 months, once the oedema has completely deflated.
The scar takes on its final appearance after 12 months. A touch-up under local anaesthetic can be performed if the scar is a little wide in places.
I systematically see you again in consultation at D+7, then 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year.