Can I expect discomfort when sitting years after butt implants?

Understandably so, anybody that has a negative experience from any surgery is more apt to post about their experience. That being said the reality is, when properly performed and in my 20 year experience of nearly 2000 patients, that only one out of about 200 patients has to have their implants removed for chronic pain or discomfort issues. Bottom line is, very few Board certified plastic surgeon’s specialize in buttock implants so you may have to travel far and away to seek consultation with this particular skilled surgeon. Glad to be of help.

The size and placement of the implant has a lot to do with possible complications. The key to this surgery is to select an implant that is not so large that the muscle cannot cover it reliably. You want a nice result, but you want to avoid the complications (need for removal, infection, extrusion, fluid collection, implant migration, implant visibility, and capsular contracture among others). Studies have demonstrated that sizes above 350 cc have a greater rate of complications, but most women choose an implant volume in the 350cc to 400cc range. The intramuscular placement also reduces the risk for capsular contracture and sciatic nerve damage.

often patients compare the sensation to that of sitting on your wallet in your pants pocket. However, this sensation should not last for more than 6 months. The implant should start to feel l like part of you after a few months. Its important to choose a board certified plastic surgeon who specializes in this procedure and is well known respected in the medical community for their work

I would certainly be concerned about that and many of the other problems patients have reported after this procedure. if you simply take a solid silicone rubber implant and put it on the firm chair and sit on it for 20 minutes I think you’ll get the idea.

The list of problems and things that can go wrong with this procedure is pretty lengthy.

There are a few things patients can do to minimize the chance or severity of these problems.

Number one is sticking to your plastic surgeons who have the most experience and a proven track record with this procedure.

This is not a procedure for those just starting off in practice or one to do every couple of years because someone asks for it.

Other than surgeon selection the second most important variable is not choosing an implant that’s bigger than what your gluteus muscle can tolerate. The implant should be placed intramuscularly.

Unlike breast implants were patients can more or less simply dial-in the size implant they want with some exceptions gluteal implants have to fit in the anatomy for them to not cause problems. This is were working with an experienced surgeon makes all the difference.

And experienced plastic surgeon will though the limit and help patients go through this with the least amount of problems or the lowest chance of implant failure.

This procedure has been reported as having complication rates ranging around 30% most often causing complete implant failure with removal of the implants. When working with an experienced talented board-certified plastic surgeon and choosing appropriate sized implants I’m quite certain the complication rate is far far lower than that.

Still, there is a reason the great majority of plastic surgeons in the United States do not offer this procedure.

If you’re thinking about implants don’t have in person consultations with those plastic surgeons who seem to specialize exclusively in this procedure.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom MD