Are submuscular butt implants safe?

Question

I just got 275cc submuscular butt implants from a surgeon in Paris a few days ago. He used the new butt implant SMS (Sub-Muscular Safe) technique by Dr.Francois Petit. I read multiple articles about this procedure and it's said to be very safe with low complication rates, but I also don't see many surgeons perfoming butt implants this way, because they say it is too risky for the sciatic nerve. I appreciate to receive opinions of any qualified plastic surgeons on this new technique. Thank you!!!

Paul E. Chasan, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question.  I would echoed the sentiments of Dr. Stanton and completely disagree with the statement that 50% get infected.  I have a whole gallery of patient's extremely happy with their buttock implants.  I do disagree with Dr. Stanton that all patients need oval implants.  I believe that the round implants give a very beautiful aesthetic result, and I particularly like those implants better.  That may be a surgeon independent issue.  You should be able have a great result.  Best wishes to you.

Ryan A. Stanton, MD · Answer

Allow me to answer your question as best i can without any photos. However, please keep in mind that an in-person, or at least a virtual, consultation with physical exam is first necessary before any legitimate evaluation or final surgical recommendations can be made.

Make no mistake, it is indisputable that the best position (aka “placement”) for buttock implants  is in the total intramuscular tissue plane, not half and half within and on top of the muscle (aka “biplanar” or “dual plane”), not completely on top of the muscle and not “sub-fascial" which is exactly the same as on top of the muscle - so please do not be fooled by this terminology. Also, supercharging with adding fat over the implant is also likely to not make any difference other that costing you more and setting you up for more potential complications. The implant life and longevity of aesthetic, tasteful, and realistic results are all best with the “intramuscular” technique, period.

Other than placing buttock implants within the gluteus maximus and medius muscles (aka “intramuscular”) NOT on top of the muscle, “subfascial” or “dual plane”, the most important factors in creating the perfect derriere and/or hourglass figure with implants is indeed selecting the right size AND shape. I have found the best way to assure this is to simply measure the actual dimensions of the patient’s gluteus muscles (not butt cheek fat pad, which may appear “round”) and quantity and quality/density of these muscles. With these anatomical measurements, I can select an implant that not only significantly augments the buttock but also supplies the correct 3-dimensional enhancement to look as real as possible...with positional changes (eg. bending over and squatting down) and even in the most petite patients that have small/lean muscles and minimal overlying fat. The fact is, nearly 100% of the human population has a more oval shaped gluteus muscles not round.  Therefore an oval shaped implant such as the Stanton Anatomic®️ buttock implant conforms best and produces a more realistic contoured outcome better than round implants.  Contrary to what many think, a round implant placed correctly within the muscle actually sits up at the top of the butt cheek, creating an unnatural pointy or “gum-drop effect”, not at the lower part of the butt cheek and thus does not contribute to filling or rounding out of any of the lower buttock pole.

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 creating an unnatural shape from either flipping over, rotating, scar/muscle contracture deformation of the implant, and/or the implant has ruptured several years after placement leaving behind hardened scar tissue my migration of silicone gel. 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 implants. 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 . Again, the benefit of this is the fact that nearly 100% 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.   Final note, because an extremely few number of board certified plastic surgeons specialize in buttock implants, you may have to travel away from your local area to seek consultation with this particular type of surgeon.  Getting it done right the first time around is not only the best chance for success, but also will save you from a lot of headaches and money in the future. Glad to help.

Mathew A. Plant, MD, FRCSC · Answer

Excellent question! Sounds like it’s a little late at this point as you’ve already done surgery but in general I would say that no butt implants are safe. They come with a 50% infection risk right off the bat and long-term risk all sorts of complications. In general I would recommend people only do buttock augmentation using fat or hyaluronic acid as these have been shown to be much safer when done properly. Since you already have them, I would simply monitor for any changes and at the first sign of any problems see a local plastic surgeon for assessment.

Are submuscular butt implants safe?

Answers (3)

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Butt Implants

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Are submuscular butt implants safe?

Answers (3)

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Butt Implants

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.