More and more of us are making the decision to change the way we look.
If you’re not happy, you can change everything from your muscle definition and the shape of your nose to your breast size and even how much fat you’re carrying. Surgeons and cosmetic specialists are continuously coming up with new and innovative solutions to our body issue problems.
One cosmetic procedure that has gained a lot of popularity in recent years is butt augmentation.
Recent research in the USA showed that nearly 16 million cosmetic procedures were carried out in 2015. Since the turn of the century the number of us heading to the surgeon to change our looks has increased by over 100%. Buttock lifts have increased by over 250%. In 2013 over 3,500 women had the procedure done and nearly 300 men.
The popularity of butt lifts is not only down to more procedures becoming available but also the affordability of cosmetic surgery across the board.
What is Butt Augmentation?
Changing the way your rear looks can be achieved in a variety of ways. Certainly the first thing you can try is exercise, particularly if you are carrying extra weight. But some people have specific problems that need to be addressed.
For instance, if you have a small rear and want it to be shapelier, you can undertake a non-surgical procedure that adds size and definition. If you have a naturally full bodied look and want your butt to appear slimmer, then fat transfer and liposuction could be the order of the day.
The concept of butt augmentation is not a new one but has gained popularity in recent years because of our obsession with celebrity bottoms. From Kim Kardashian to Iggy Azalea and Heidi Montag, trips down the red carpet have led many to covet a rear like their favourite star.
It’s not just the girls that are looking for the perfect backside, either. There are a few of men having their butts tightened and sculpted so they look buff on the beach.
Types of Butt Augmentation
The type of issue you have with your butt will generally determine the procedure. As you get older your butt can begin to sag because of gravity which can be a problem for some women. You might have recently lost weight and need to tighten things up or perhaps you want to add some shape and definition to an otherwise small set of buttocks.
Brazilian Butt Lift
Perhaps the most popular choice of cosmetic procedures in recent times, because of the celebrity endorsement, is the Brazilian butt lift. It’s also one of the most expensive, costing in the region of $5,000 to $6,000. This is a surgical procedure and it can be customised depending on the client and what effect they want to see. A mix of surgery and liposuction can be used to define the shape of the backside in traditional butt lifts, either adding or removing volume as needed.
The Brazilian butt lift is popular mainly because it is one of the less invasive surgery choices with smaller incisions made. Fat in the thighs and stomach can be removed and used to ‘plump’ up the butt area, creating a younger, firmer experience. One issue that it doesn’t address is the appearance of sagging skin which can be a problem if you have recently lost a lot of weight, though there are other procedures that can easily deal with this.
As with any invasive surgical procedure, there are risks involved and you must weigh these up before you decide to proceed. The benefits are that a lift tends to give a more natural look than other procedures and there’s less risk of rejection compared to implants.
Buttock Implants
If you lack definition in the buttock area and want a shapelier look, there is the option of having buttock implants. This is like a breast augmentation where silicone implants are inserted to increase volume. The implant is usually placed just below the gluteal muscle and above the area of the pelvic bone.
This will naturally involve a large incision as well as sutures and could cause you a considerable amount of discomfort before it heals. The scar is usually in the crease of the buttock cheeks at the top of the thigh so once healed it shouldn’t be noticeable.
According to research, the number of people choosing butt implants has increased considerably over the last few years. In fact between 2010 and 2011 there was a rise of 43%. This is probably a reflection of the development of new procedures as well as our growing desire to have the perfect bottom.
Body Contouring Injections
One other option, particularly if you only want minor changes to your butt, is to have contouring injections. The most popular product on the market for this is called Macrolane and it uses hyaluronic acid to plump up specific areas. Contouring injections are used for many parts of the body but have more recently been used for the buttocks.
An incision is cut into the butt and the contouring gel injected. Unlike a butt lift or implants, this is not seen as a long-term solution and usually lasts for a period of 12 months before the effect dissipates. If you want to keep the effect going you will need to have top up injections.
Many people are choosing contouring injections because there is very little recovery process involved and the feedback from those who have gone down this route have been good to date.
Choosing the Right Cosmetic Surgeon
As you might expect, butt augmentation procedures require a considerable amount of expertise. Finding a good cosmetic surgeon requires a detailed period of research to make sure that they can deliver on your dreams.
An experienced surgeon will not only be able to carry out the procedure correctly, they’ll also help you deal with the recovery process to make sure you don’t have any problems.
For instance, in some Brazilian butt lifts, fat injected can be reabsorbed, changing the initial contouring. An experienced surgeon and his team will be able to make sure you don’t put pressure on the area for the first couple of weeks and that you wear a compression garment until you have fully recovered.
Butt augmentation is becoming one of the most popular cosmetic procedures available and it’s not just for those over the age of 40. Many younger people, unhappy with their looks, are increasingly prepared to do something about it and achieve the butt of their dreams.
