Excess skin and fat from aging, heredity factors, or after dramatic weight loss in the gluteal area can be drastically improved with a buttock lift.
Not to be confused with a “Brazilian butt lift,” which adds volume using fat transfer, this procedure involves only removing skin and fat through surgical excision and liposuction.
Every year, thousands of people undergo successful buttock-lift surgery and are pleased with the results.
After Buttock Lift; your buttock area will look smoother and more toned, the results will be long lasting and any discomfort caused by excess skin will be alleviated.
Excess skin and fat in the gluteal area can add bulk and frustrate your efforts to achieve a slimmer, more sculpted body through weight loss. If any of these conditions apply to you, then you might be a good candidate for buttock lift:
* You have undergone bariatric surgery or significant weight loss through dieting.
* Pregnancy and/or aging have left you with loose skin and cellulite below the waistline.
* You have significant skin laxity, excess skin, and ptosis (sagginess) of the buttocks.
* The layers of fat below your loose skin are relatively thin.
* You do not smoke. Smoking slows down the healing process and increases the risk of serious complications during and after surgery. If you smoke, you must quit at least six weeks before surgery.
* Your weight has been stable for at least a year, with no further weight loss expected.
* You are in overall good health without chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease. People in poor health are not good candidates for body contouring procedures. You must obtain clearance for plastic surgery from your primary care physician or from doctors treating you for medical conditions.
* You have a healthy diet. Problems such as protein deficiencies can interfere with healing.
If you are in good general health and have a positive attitude and realistic expectations, you are most likely a good candidate for this procedure.
There are many techniques and approaches, but generally:
* Dr. Hakan Gundogan will make an incision at the top of the buttocks, in the hips, groin, or under the buttock cheeks to remove excess skin and pull the remaining skin taut.
* Liposuction may be used to further contour the buttock area or thighs to achieve a balanced look.
* Any incisions are sutured and closed in layers to ensure that the skin remains tight.
* Drains and dressings are placed and usually a compression garment or girdle is worn to reduce swelling and tighten the skin.
Depending on the quality of your skin, how much excess there is to remove, and your body shape, Dr. Hakan Gundogan will determine what options are open to you. If there is a large amount of skin to remove, you may consider having a lower body lift, which would help remove skin around other areas of the body, including the stomach, buttock, thighs and hips. If removing the skin will result in a loss of volume to the buttock, a buttock augmentation might be appropriate following a buttock lift.
Incisions for a butt lift could include a large incision on the top of the buttocks in the back or hidden underneath the buttock by the crease. If liposuction is involved, there will be smaller scars that will fade and be mostly unnoticeable.
During your initial consultation, you will have the opportunity to discuss your cosmetic goals. Dr. Hakan Gundogan will evaluate you as a candidate for a buttock lift and clarify what this procedure can do for you. Once Dr. Hakan Gundogan understands your goals, he or she may suggest additional or related procedures. It is important to be completely honest during the consultation. It's a good idea to be fully prepared to answer these questions:
* Do you have any medical conditions or drug allergies? Are you being treated for any medical conditions?
* Have you had any previous surgeries?
* What are your current medications and vitamin and herbal supplements?
* What is your current use of alcohol, tobacco, and recreational drugs?
* What is your history with any non-invasive cosmetic procedures?
* What outcome do you expect from the surgery? What is your chief motivation in undergoing a buttock lift?
Dr. Hakan Gundogan will also:
* Ask you to look in a mirror and point out exactly what you would like to see improved
* Take photos for your medical record and use computer imaging to demonstrate the improvements you can expect
* Evaluate your health status, including pre-existing health conditions or risk factors
* Evaluate the elasticity of your skin
* Discuss your options and recommend a course of treatment
* Discuss likely outcomes, including risks or potential complications
* Discuss the type of anesthesia that will be used
Based on your goals, physical characteristics, and the surgeon's years of training and experience, Dr. Hakan Gundogan will share recommendations and information with you, including:
* An approach to your surgery, including the type of procedure or combination of procedures
* The outcomes that you can anticipate
* Your financial investment in the procedure
* Associated risks and complications
* Options for anesthesia and surgery location
* What you need to prepare for your surgery
* What you can expect to experience after surgery
* Show before-and-after photos of cases similar to yours and answer any questions
Dr. Hakan Gundogan will provide you with pre-operative instructions, answer any questions you may have, take a detailed medical history, and perform a physical exam to determine your fitness for surgery.
In advance of your procedure, Dr. Hakan Gundogan will ask you to:
* Stop smoking before undergoing surgery to promote better healing. You must be free of tobacco and tobacco products before undergoing surgery.
* Avoid taking aspirin, certain anti-inflammatory drugs, and some herbal medications that can cause increased bleeding.
* Regardless of the type of surgery to be performed, hydration is very important before and after surgery for safe recovery.
Your buttock-lift surgery will be performed in an accredited hospital. Most butt lift procedures take at least three to six hours to complete but may take longer.
You will receive medications to keep you comfortable during the surgical procedure. Local anesthesia combined with sedation may be an option but general anesthesia is more commonly used for this procedure. An anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist will be present to administer sedatives or general anesthesia and assist in monitoring you during surgery. After you are asleep, a breathing tube will be placed in your mouth to ensure that your airway is secure during position changes involved in the butt lift procedure.
For your safety during the surgery, various monitors will be used to check your heart, blood pressure, pulse, and the amount of oxygen circulating in your blood.
Dr. Hakan Gundogan will follow the surgical plan discussed with you before surgery. Once the operation has begun, he or she may decide to combine various techniques or change a technique to ensure the best result. It is important that you feel comfortable and trust your doctor to make these decisions.
When you wake up, you may find the following:
* Surgical drains have been placed to remove fluid that accumulates within the incisions.
* You are wearing a compression garment, which controls swelling, supports the suspended tissues and smoothens and flattens the skin. This garment may be placed at the time of surgery or later.
After surgery, you will be taken into a recovery area, where you will continue to be closely monitored.
You may go home on the day after surgery.
Dr. Hakan Gundogan will discuss how long it will be before you can return to your normal level of activity and work. After surgery, you and your caregiver will receive detailed instructions about your post-surgical care, including information about:
* Drains, if they have been placed
* Normal symptoms you will experience
* Any potential signs of complications
Immediately after your buttock lift
* When the anesthesia wears off, you may have some pain. If the pain is extreme or long lasting, contact your physician. You will also have some redness and swelling after the surgery. In some cases, the swelling will remain for weeks or even months. Contact Dr. Hakan Gundogan to determine if your pain, redness, and swelling are normal or a sign of a problem.
* Make sure you continue to have lots of help at home ? this cannot be stressed enough. You'll be tempted to try to help around the house soon after surgery, but you won't feel like yourself for at least two weeks, and you still should not do anything strenuous, including lifting, for four to six weeks. If you have small children, arrange for someone else to be totally in charge of their care for two weeks.
* Ask Dr. Hakan Gundogan how to sit and sleep, including the use of pillows, to minimize the tension on your incisions, reduce pain, and facilitate a thinner scar.
* Drains, which also control swelling, are placed to remove fluid that accumulates within the incisions. Dr. Hakan Gundogan will ask you to measure the amount of fluid in your drains daily. Once the output falls low enough, your drains will be removed in your doctor's office. Drains typically remain in place two to three days, but may be left longer.
Buttock-lift surgery is quite extensive and will require two to three weeks of recovery before you can resume normal activities. Full healing will take several months. Being in good health, not smoking, and having help after surgery will increase the speed of healing, improve your results, and prevent complications.
Results from buttock lifts are very long lasting. As with most surgery, weight fluctuations, pregnancy, and aging will take a toll on the body and the results of your buttock lift. If you maintain a healthy lifestyle and avoid stretching the skin by weight gain, you can enjoy a youthful contour for a long time.
For safety, as well as the most beautiful and healthy outcome, it's important to return to Dr. Hakan Gundogan 's office for follow-up evaluation at prescribed times and whenever you notice any changes in your buttock lift. Do not hesitate to contact Dr. Hakan Gundogan when you have any questions or concerns.
