Frequently Asked Questions about Plastic Surgery Procedures

Procedure Name:   Buttock contouring (Liposculpture)

What is it?

Buttock contouring is a procedure designed to sculpt or enhance the shape of the buttock with the use liposuction, fat grafting or placement of implants. Liposuction can be used to sculpt the buttock into an ideal shape. If the buttock size is small and augmentation is needed fat grafting can be used to add volume to the buttock. The advantage of fat grafting over other tissue fillers is that the fat belongs to your own body. In this way you do not have the risk of having a reaction to a foreign substance. In some individuals it is not possible to use fat for augmentation. In such cases a solid silicone implant is used for this purpose. A combination of procedures is sometimes needed to get an ideal result.

What does it accomplish?

Buttock contouring refers to a set of procedures used for shaping or augmenting the buttock. Virtually any area of the body can be sculpted into the desired shape with the combination of liposuction and fat grafting. For example, if you want fuller lips, fat can be placed in the lip to achieve that shape. One of the most common locations that we use fat grafting is the buttock. If the buttock size is deficient, it can be easily filled and given a better shape with fat grafting.   In those patients who do not have enough fat to donate for grafting we have used buttock implants. Implants have the advantage of being very easily placed. However they do not have the same feel as your own natural tissue. You can ask your plastic surgeon for more details concerning these procedures.

What happens during the first consultation?

In the first consultation you will get a chance to discuss your concerns with our patient care coordinators and Dr. Marefat. We will tell you what you need to know about your procedure and will help you determine what is best for you.   You will receive information booklets and pricing on the procedures.

How is it done?

The liposuction is done through a small puncture hole that is hidden in a natural fold of the body. The incision itself can be as small as an eighth of an inch. The area to be suctioned is then infiltrated with a solution containing medicines that cut back on bleeding and postoperative pain. The fat is removed from strategic areas of the buttock to bring out the ideal shape in much the same way a sculptor would remove stone in order to bring forth the ideal shape hidden in the stone. If fat is being placed in the buttock, first we remove the appropriate amount of fat from your own body. This is usually taken from the abdomen or the thighs. This fat is then processed for injection. With minute incisions the fat is placed in the desired area. Amounts of injection vary according to area and the amount of augmentation needed. With the new techniques of fat grafting most of the fat survives and gives long lasting results. Sometimes however, it may be necessary to re-inject an area with more fat. If this is necessary it can be done 2-3 months after the first procedure.

Procedure: Buttock contouring continued

What can I expect after surgery?

After surgery you will have a moderate amount of drainage from the liposuction incisions. You will need to rest for the first two or three days, but most people are up and about shortly after surgery. The buttock may swell for 1-2 weeks after surgery. The amount of swelling varies according the area injected and your own body's reaction to the fat graft. We generally recommend our patients to take off 10-14 days from work. Heavy lifting and exercising should be avoided in the first two weeks. You body will tell you when you are ready to get back into your regular exercise routine.

When are the sutures removed?

There are very few sutures in Buttock contouring procedures unless you are having an implant placed. Sutures usually come out in one or two weeks. Sometimes you may have absorbable sutures that do not need to come out.

How many visits do I have after surgery?

We like to see our patients frequently after surgery. You are seen by the Doctor or nurse within 2-3 days of surgery. Then the normal postoperative routine is: 1 week, 1month, 3 months, 6months, and 12 months. Of course if there is a need you may be seen more. We encourage our patients to come for routine follow-up visits every 3-5 years.

When can I wear make-up?

You should be able to wear makeup if you have had liposuction. We do not recommend your putting makeup on your incisions however, because this may result in tattooing of the skin by the pigments of the makeup.

Am I a good candidate?

You are a good candidate for Buttock contouring if you have areas that are amenable to liposuction and shaping of the buttock. Those who have donor sites that fat can be collected for grafting are good candidates for buttock augmentation with fat grafting. You are good candidate for buttock implant placement if you are thin and do not have donor sites for getting fat. Those who have good skin tone, good general health, and realistic expectations are good candidates for most cosmetic procedures. This does not mean that you cannot perform Buttock contouring if you do not meet these criteria.

Procedure: Buttock contouring continued

What does the surgery cost?

The cost of surgery varies but here are some guidelines that will help you determine roughly what you could expect. Remember that these are only rough estimates . These estimations include the cost of the operating room and the anesthesia. The fee may be subject to change without notice. The best way for you get an accurate cost analysis is to see a doctor.

Buttock Contouring:     $5,500

How do I pay for surgery?

You can pay for surgery by certified check, Credit card, or cash. Payments for cosmetic surgery are expected prior to the procedure. If you are scheduling several weeks in advance of surgery you can pay by personal check.

Are there scars?

Yes. However these scars are very small (about 1/8 th of an inch) and are usually hidden in areas of the body that you would not normally see them (belly button, pubic hair area). Each area of liposuction will generally have one or two small scars. If you are having an implant placed the incisions are hidden in the natural folds of the buttocks. These incisions usually heal very well. After several months these scars fade and are hardly visible.

Does it hurt?

The pain involved in buttock contouring procedures is very tolerable. We have heard our patients describe it as 'muscle aches and pain' or just 'soreness'. Many patients do not finish the pain medications prescribed to them for pain relief. But having said that remember that pain is very subjective, and it is not easy to predict what degree of pain you will have.

Will I be awake during surgery?

If you are having just a small area liposuctioned and this can be done in the office then you will be awake. However if you are having a large area liposuctioned, or having multiple areas suctioned you will most likely be done in an outpatient facility under general anesthesia. If a large amount of fat is being grafted we would like you to be asleep. Buttock implants are also done under general anesthesia.

Where is the surgery performed? (i.e. office suite or hospital)

The surgery can be done either in the office or the outpatient facility depending on the size and number of areas suctioned. For example if you have a small localized area of fat in your hip, it is quite feasible to do this in the office under local anesthesia. On the other hand, if you want to have you entire buttock liposuctioned, then you are much more likely to be done in the outpatient facility. We rarely see the need to perform liposuction in the hospital setting anymore. Major fat grafting or implant augmentations are done in an outpatient facility. Only in rare situations in which the patient may have risk factors does Dr.Marefat suggest the hospital environment for surgery.

Are medical photographs taken?

Yes. In all cosmetic and reconstructive cases medical photos are taken. Photographs are mandatory because this is the only way for us to compare you before and after results. Photographs in plastic surgery serve much the same role that x-rays serve for orthopedic surgery.

Date Revised: 1/21/07

To see Before and After pictures Buttock Contouring and Augmentation in Virginia and Washingon DC Click Here

To read more about this operation Click Here

To see patient Prices and Costs for Buttock Implants, Contouring, or Augmentation Click Here

To see patient Testimonials for Buttock Augmentation Surgery Click Here

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