Download Our Surgical Team’s free Liposuction eBook
Buttock implant risks are several and become a concern to prospective patients who do not possess adequate fat for a Brazilian buttock lift but who desired increasing buttock size. Buttock enhancement surgery risks have been well documented and include:
- Implant extrusion. Implant extrusion is probably the most concerning buttock implant risk with nationally reported rates nearing 20%. This buttock implant risk has likely lessened in the last few years as implant placement position has been transferred from above the gluteus major muscle to inside the muscle. Performing safe buttock implant augmentation requires intimate knowledge of the gluteus major muscle size and shape. The secret to avoiding this buttock implant risk is to select a buttocks implant that fits comfortably within this muscle. The difficulty with this decision making is that patients will often desire a larger implant than is too large for their muscle. Unfortunately, using an implant larger than the gluteus major width will result in implant extruding first out of the muscle; this will immediately create a contour deformity as the edge of the muscle will be visible through the lateral buttocks skin. More concerning is the fact that once the implant tears out of the muscle, the implant will inevitably force its way out of the skin incision line resulting in implant extrusion.
- Implant infection. Implant infection as one of buttock implant risk can occur as can in any surgery where foreign material is implanted in the body. Implant infection is intuitively more of a concern since the incision line is in proximity to your anus. As such several intraoperative precautions are taken to ensure that contamination is avoided. First, a double prepping protocol is used to ensure that the area of planned incision is not cross-contaminated. In addition, the planned implant pocket and the implant itself are irrigated in antibiotic solution prior to placement. Finally, a minimal touch technique is used to handle the implant meaning that only the surgeon is allowed to handle the implant. Postoperative precautions are also used to minimize the risk of infection including postoperative antibiotics as well as teaching patients appropriate wiping techniques to keep the incision lines sterile.
Avoiding Buttock Implant Risks
With the proper surgical design, implant selection, and operative precautions Buttock Enhancement Surgery risks can be avoided.
This 36-year-old female demonstrates high definition liposuction of the lateral thighs, flanks, and lower back, with fat grafting to the lateral buttocks and hip as well as buttocks implants to the central buttocks.
