Do my buttock implants have to be removed during a lower body lift revision?

Thank you for your question regarding whether your buttock implants have to be removed during a revision lower body lift period. The answer is "it depends". Buttock implants can be placed in three positions. One, above the gluteus maximus muscle. Two, in the gluteus maximus muscle. Or three, in the gluteus maximus muscle. Each implant location has its benefits. Placing the buttock implant above the muscle is a relatively easier surgery. However, implants placed above the muscle have a high incidence of rejection and can flip. Alternatively, buttock implants can be placed underneath the muscle. This is a little bit more difficult of surgery than placing the buttock implants on top of the muscle but yields excellent results. The problem with placing the buttock implants underneath the muscle is that it can press and impinge on the sciatic nerve, giving you constant buttock and leg pain. The most common and perhaps safest position of the buttock implants is within the gluteus maximus muscle. That leads to minimal excrusion and rejection, minimal flipping of the implant, and minimal pressure on the sciatic nerve. Given that information, that determines what needs to be done when you have your revision lower body lift period. I would guess if the implants were in the muscle or below the muscle, you do not have to have the implants taken out or rearranged during your revision lower body lift. However, if the implants are above the muscle, you will probably have to have the implants removed and replaced, either during or after the revision lower body lift. Therefore, it is imperative that you check with your prior buttock implant surgeon as to the position of the implants. If this is impossible or difficult to obtain, you may need to get an MRI to determine the buttock implant position before your revision body lift.

I specialize in reconstructive plastic surgery after weight loss. If you have any more questions regarding the lower body lift, 360 circumferential lower body lift, belt lipectomy, belt abdominoplasty, or belt dermolipectomy please contact my office. Since the body lift is a big procedure, please seek an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon with significant experience performing the lower body lift. Do your research. Make sure they have performed at least 100 circumferential lower body lift surgeries and have the before and after pictures to prove it. Carefully examine their before and after pictures and check their reviews on RealSelf. If you cannot find an experienced, lower body lift surgeon in your neighborhood, consider traveling out of state if you must. Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. (“Verified” Plastic Surgeon, President of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, and International College of Surgery and ​member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)

Thank you for the question. The body lift revision should not affect your buttock implants as they are in separate anatomic location. Of course, an in-person examination is needed to confirm this. I wish you the best of luck. Vasileios Vasilakis, MD. Fellowship-trained plastic surgeon.

Dear RSMember1230,
it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. You will probably be able to leave the implants in. If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery