Butt implants in Europe? Cohesive gel implants. Or, save money to go to the US?

Question

I am a 20 y/o girl from Western Europe. There is a surgeon in my neighbor country who have recently learned butt implants technique and have only operated 25 patients. He use cohesive gel butt implants. One patient wrote a review on RealSelf, and the results were really beautiful. But should I rather save for butt implant surgery in the US? Will cohesive gel implants eventually lead to complications? And do you have to have 100s of butt implant patients as experience to give a good result?

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Cohesive silicone gel implants are not used in the US as they are not FDA approved.
Solid implants do not carry the same risk of rupture and other 
implant related complications.  The semisolid implants placed in the US 
are difficult to rupture in the conventional sense.  The main factors in
 longevity of implants is the plane in which the implants are placed, 
how the pocket is dissected and closed, and the judgment utilized by the
 surgeon.
Implants placed within the muscle will appear more natural and feel 
more natural without the risk for sciatic nerve compression found in 
under the muscle implants.  Realize that the studies done show that 
anything over 350 cc is likely to have more complications.The key to 
this surgery is to select an implant that is not so large that the 
muscle cannot cover it reliably and a board certified plastic surgeon who is an expert in butt implant surgery.The PS who performs the surgery should be in close proximity to your geographical location as follow-ups are very important and can alleviate some of your concerns as you become accustomed to the implants.

Ryan A. Stanton, MD · Answer

Although your neighborhood surgeon could do a fine job after only performing 25 buttock implant procedures, you are very smart for considering to travel a long distance to someone that has performed 100 or even 1000+ buttock implants. In general, i recommend going to a reputable board certified plastic surgeon that performs at least two of these per week and has been doing it for at least five years.Regarding cohesive silicone gel implants:Unlike breast implants, silicone gel buttock implants are not FDA approved and thus not legal for buttock implantation in the USA. I actually see about one patient a week that had gel implants done in another country and, although they looked and felt great at first, they are now seeking revision because the implants are either visible on top of the muscle and/or grossly deformed by flipping over, rotating, scar contracture and/or the implant has ruptured several years after placement leaving behind hardened scar tissue and migration of silicone liquid. The soft semi-solid silicone rubber implants used in the USA are much more form-stable and thus much less likely to have these problems if placed correctly within the gluteus muscle AND are considered permanent implants because they cannot rupture and leak like silicone gel. In 2015 I created and recently patented a new "Stanton Anatomic" shaped implant that avoids the unnatural effects of round implants, whether silicone gel or rubber . The benefit of this is the fact that ~95% of patients have much more of an oval shaped buttock cheek not round, thus a true oval implant (i.e. Stanton Anatomic implant) creates a much more natural and harmonious buttock contour. This is especially true when the patients bends over, does squats, or pokes their butt out while striking a pose or dancing. Many avid weightlifters, fitness competitors, and athletes from various sports have had these implants without problem of movement, visibility, or drooping.  Glad to be of help.

Athanasios Christopoulos, MD · Answer

It is not a question of where the plastic surgeon is located but of how good he is in this type of surgery. If you have enough fat to give, I would advise you the "fat transfer" option as the better one. If not, gluteal implants inserted into or under the muscle will give you a good result, if you have no laxity. If laxity is present you must consider buttock lift with implants as well. Any operation can lead to complications. There is no surgeon in the word that had no complications. Whatever happens is repairable. Try to find the  Plastic Surgeon that inspires you regardless of the place where he practices. Knowledge in Plastic Surgery is international.

Alexander Aslani, MD · Answer

Buttock surgery is a complex procedure with beautiful success if done right. Most crucial is the experience of the surgeon and to NOT OVERSIZE.Solid rubber block implants are problematic because they are hard, palpable and "stress" the tissues.US surgeons are simply using those because they have to access to cohesive gel ones. It is a bit of sour grapes to some , regardless of what some of them may say hereThink the other wat round: European surgeons are having acess to both and nobody would even consider to use these. Pretty much common sense.The deciding thing though is less the make of the implants but not to put implants that are too big. If you want solid implants for whatever reason ask your neighbour surgeon in Europe he can get them-I wouldn't recommend that though.

Luis A. Mejia, MD · Answer

Hello, thank you for your question.Be sure to choose a board certified plastic surgeon who specializes in this procedure and has high success rate with this procedure. If you choose your surgeon wisely, you'll get a wonderful result. Here in Dominican Republic there are tons of great Board Certified Plastic Surgeons, make a consultation and get the best option for you and your health. Take care and best of lucks.Dr. Luis Mejia

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear xxjuliaxx,
You should know that butt implants have a high rate of complications and fat transfer might be a better option. Finding the right Dr. is extremely challenging especially with the number of online platforms and resources available. There a lot of great Dr's available. Definitely check to make sure your choice specializes in the procedure you want and spend the time to read through patient testimonials. 
You can always pick up the phone and call around also, find an office you feel comfortable with and set up a few consultations. 
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Adolfo Sesto, MD · Answer

Hello XXjulia. I do not recommend nor  perform any more buttock implant placement. This procedure is prone to a lot of complications and the patient in long or short term always decides to take them out.Complications such as : pain when sitting "always", not being able to have a submuscular injection in the buttocks, migration and displacement of the implants.It is always better to go for a Brazilian Butt Lift, in which fat deposits are removed by lipo and transfer to buttocks.28 year experience
  
American Society of Plastic Surgeons
  
International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
  
International Society of Plastic Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery
  
Dominican Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
  
Board Certified

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Traveling for gluteal implants.
My suggestion is traveling long-distance is for this procedure is not The smartest move.
My follow-up question is what are you going to do if you have a complication or or unhappy with the results?  If you develop an infection or your incisions come open three weeks after your surgery or you going to get on the plane with draining butt wounds and fly across the world?
If you don't think that this happens then think again.
I recognize there may be a significant shortage of providers in your area and when that's the case traveling does make sense.
For this procedure you need to stick around for a long time after the procedure because complications do happen and they are pretty severe and need surgical intervention immediately when they do happen.
I would think three weeks is a reasonable amount of time to be out of the woods.
Gluteal implants has one of the highest complication rates of all cosmetic surgery.
This procedure definitely takes a bit of finesse and I would say experience is pretty important.
There is a reason that the majority of plastic surgeons don't offer gluteal implants.
Plan on giving yourself plenty of time to be well healed up before you head home and you should still be ready to pay for airplane flights for follow up, possible complications and if you're unhappy with the results. 
It's unfair to show up at your local plastic surgeons office with a fluid collection, open wound or infected implant when someone else did the surgery.
Best, 
Mats Hagstrom MD

Butt implants in Europe? Cohesive gel implants. Or, save money to go to the US?

Answers (8)

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