Cohesive vs. solid butt implants, any thoughts? (Photos)

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.Most women are better suited to oval implants, but an exam to determine your dimensions as well as possible volumes will be necessary.  I prefer round implants to improve projection, improve roundness and fullness laterally, and prevent rotational deformities associated with oval implants.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. Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

Allow me to answer your question as best i can without any good photos of you.  Also, please keep in mind that an in-person consultation with physical exam is first necessary before any legitimate evaluation or final surgical recommendations are made.In short, 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 month that had gel implants done in another country and, although they looked a 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 scar contracture or a ruptured implant. The soft semi-solid silicone rubber implants used in the USA are 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 silicone gel.  Breast implants can rupture and leak thus replacement every ten years is the general recommendation. Similar to breast implants, as long as the appropriate implant size/shape is selected and the implant is placed in the correct anatomic plane (i.e. either under or within the gluteus maximus muscle but not on top of or "subfascial"), the end result should  look and feel natural - like an athletically fit buttock. Glad to be of help .

The cohesive gel often can make a butt look saggy. They are not made to mimic buttock muscle so if a patient is fit, the cohesive gel can make their buttock look less tones and more "flabby". Please be sure to choose a board certified plastic surgeon who specializes in buttock augmentation and has extensive experience in performing this procedure.