Safe Fat Injections for Butt Augmentation?

In the last few years, the buttock fat transfer has become the predominant technique in buttock augmentation. With this technique, the fat is obtained through liposuction of various areas, most typically the abdomen, flanks, and back. The fat is prepared and injected into the buttocks through small incisions. The buttocks can be augmented and re-shaped with this technique. Serious complications are rare. These include but are not limited to bleeding, infection, fat necrosis (dead fat tissue), and asymetry.

By using buttock implants, the surgeon can only increase the posterior projection of the buttocks. The hips can only be augmented with fat. Complications from implants include infection, seroma (fluid accumulation around the implant), implant exposure, and opening of the incision. These complications can be quite common if the surgeon is inexperienced or if the patient is non-compliant with the post-surgery instructions. Many surgeons who used to perform a high number of implant augmentations have transitioned to using fat. However, in experienced hands both techniques are quite safe.

One should use caution and avoid a third technique, which is polymer or silicone injections. These are illegal in the United States but commonly done in South America. In the United States, these injections are done illicitly. Since this type of practice is not controlled, the patient does not know what is being injected. Many times, the product is not even sterile (cleaned in a special way to be used in surgery) and infections can be common. To further the issue, if the product gets infected, it is difficult to remove and these surgeries can be deforming. The product can also migrate and can deform the buttocks over several years. Therefore, this technique should be avoided.

It works. The preferred method for performing buttock augmentation is fat transfer, the use of the patient's own body fat to reshape the butt. Fat injection achieves a more natural result, has a lower risk of infection, and also contours the areas around the buttocks to enhance the overall effect.

However, implants may be recommended for patients who have very little body fat to harvest, such as body-builders and naturally thin patients. An additional benefit of the Brazilian butt lift is that you don’t only get a shapelier buttock, but the area to liposuction is now much leaner, giving your profile a more sensuous look. Cost is always a consideration in elective surgery. Procedure prices can vary widely, due to the fact that every patient is different.

When performed by an experienced surgeon using the proper techniques, buttock augmentation is a highly satisfying and permanent procedure that enhances the profile of the buttocks and surrounding areas for a younger, firmer, curvier look.