Buttock Implants versus Fat Grafting

Buttock augmentation has very quickly become one of the most popular cosmetic surgical procedures performed worldwide, and one of my favorite to perform. Its rising popularity is possibly due to celebrity trends and to evolving societal ideals of beauty. There is something of a question though as to how to best achieve augmentation of the buttocks: the most common approach is the classic “Brazilian Butt Lift”, where fat is removed from the abdomen, flanks, back, or thighs via liposuction and then grafted into each buttocks. It is really two surgeries combined into one; whereas the extracted fat from liposuction would normally be discarded, it is reused in the Brazilian Butt Lift. But, while one of the less popular implants on the market, buttock implants do also exist, and are made by reputable implants companies.

Illustrative image of syringes used for removal of fat via liposuction, fat grafting to the buttocks, and other plastic surgery procedures.

In my professional opinion though, the choice between the two options is relatively simple.  Grafting your own native, natural fat is by far the safest and most reliable choice, and produces a beautiful, natural, and long-lasting result.

Different shapes and sizes of gluteal, buttock, implants used in buttock augmentation.

Implants in the buttock area are fraught with complications:  infection, moving or shifting of the implants, and breakdown of the surgical incisions are all commonplace. Fat grafting, on the other hand, risks nearly none of this.  Through tiny (2-3mm) incisions, fat is removed via liposuction from the stomach, waist, and lower back, then transferred to the buttocks and hips. In addition, I believe that the result from buttock implants often looks less natural than that from fat grafting.

Truly sculpture of the body, the Brazilian Butt Lift leaves the patient with an hourglass waistline and beautifully full buttocks and hips – all with tissue that is her own.