BUTTOCK AESTHETICS

How are buttocks evaluated? The buttocks consist of muscle, fat, and skin, supported by bone tissue at the base. Shape and contour largely depend on the person’s bone and muscle structure. However, volume and size are primarily determined by fat ratio, and the distribution of this fat plays a key role in achieving an attractive appearance. Skin quality is another important factor. For the best evaluation, the buttocks can be divided into three main areas: upper, middle, and lower.

Upper Buttocks;
In this area, not only the amount of fat but also its distribution is important. In an aesthetically pleasing buttock, fat should be concentrated in the rear, giving fullness and roundness. If fat is collected at the top, it creates a shoulder-like appearance, making the buttocks look square. Therefore, excess fat in this area is removed with liposuction, while volume and roundness are added to the back with fat injection or silicone implants.

Middle Buttocks;
Some patients have dimples or hollows in this area, called notching, where the middle part appears slightly curved inward. This can be corrected with a small amount of fat injection, giving the area a rounder and fuller shape.

Lower Buttocks;
This region typically causes the buttocks to look saggy and square due to excess fat and loose skin. If only excess fat is the issue, liposuction is performed. If the problem involves loose skin, then some skin excision is required. Most patients have excess fat. Immediately after surgery, the area may appear swollen, but once the swelling subsides, the contour becomes more defined.

What is buttock aesthetics? Also called gluteoplasty, buttock aesthetics is a plastic surgery procedure designed to give the buttocks a fuller, firmer, and lifted appearance. The techniques vary depending on the patient. Essentially, buttock aesthetics can be divided into three categories:
Augmentation, volumizing, and contouring
Lifting
Reduction

- How is augmentation and volumizing performed?

Fat injection; After evaluating the patient’s buttocks, the most suitable method is decided together. For augmentation and volumizing, the best approach is to harvest excess fat from other areas via liposuction and inject it into the deficient or hollow regions. Known as the micro fat grafting technique, this method involves gently extracting fat cells with fine cannulas at low pressure to avoid damage, processing them, and reinjecting them into the target areas. Since the patient’s own fat is used, it is healthy and natural. The disadvantage is that some of the injected fat may be reabsorbed by the body, reducing the fullness over time.

Silicone implants; For patients lacking sufficient fat tissue, silicone implants are placed. An incision hidden between the buttock cheeks is made, and the implant is inserted between or above the gluteal muscles. The decision depends on the plastic surgeon’s evaluation and preference. Since the implant is positioned away from the sitting area, it does not cause discomfort. The size of the implant varies depending on the patient. Unlike fat injections, silicone implants do not decrease in volume over time.

- Lifting
Due to aging, tissue loss and laxity may cause sagging and drooping buttocks. In young patients, this may occur structurally. Several techniques are combined to lift the buttocks depending on the skin quality and anatomy. If there is significant skin laxity and sagging, excision of excess skin is performed first, followed by implant placement if necessary. In patients with good or moderate skin quality, fat injection or implants alone may be sufficient.

- Reduction
Buttocks that are excessively large due to weight gain or structural factors are reduced and reshaped using liposuction. Removing fat from the hips and upper buttocks not only reduces size but also reshapes square buttocks into round and fuller ones. Silicone implants, when performed by skilled surgeons, are safe and low-risk. The surgery usually takes 45–90 minutes, depending on the procedure. Hospitalization is generally not required. After surgery, a special corset should be worn for 3–6 weeks. Recovery varies between 2–10 days, depending on the procedure. Swelling subsides and the final shape of the buttocks is achieved within 3–6 months. Patients can usually resume sports in 30–45 days.

THIGH AND BUTTOCK LIFT SURGERIES

In this procedure, sagging and loose skin and fat in the thigh and buttock areas are removed in an elliptical fashion, similar to abdominoplasty. These areas are tightened and reshaped. Thigh and buttock lift surgeries can be performed separately or together, and may also be combined with liposuction. The scar is a line-shaped mark. In thigh lifts, the scar is hidden in the groin area, while in buttock lifts, the scar is placed just above the buttock bone, on the side of the body, and concealed under a bikini line.