Buttock enhancement surgeries are highly individualized procedures. You should do it for yourself, not to fulfill someone else’s desires or to try to fit any sort of ideal image.

Who is a good candidate for buttock augmentation?

You may be a good candidate for buttock augmentation if:

• You are physically healthy
• You have realistic expectations
• You are bothered by the feeling that your butt is too small
• You are unhappy with the roundness or general shape of your butt
• Your butt is asymmetrical

In general, buttock lift candidates include:

• Individuals with significant soft tissue looseness in the gluteal area
• Healthy individuals without medical conditions that impair healing or increase risk of surgery
• Individuals with a positive outlook and realistic goals for what gluteal lift surgery can accomplish
• Nonsmokers
• Individuals committed to leading a healthy lifestyle with proper nutrition and fitness

The average cost of buttock augmentation with fat grafting (Brazilian butt lift) is $6,083, the average cost of butt implants is $7,074 and the average cost of a buttock lift is $6,372, according to the latest statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. This average cost is only part of the total price – it does not include anesthesia, operating room facilities or other related expenses. Please consult with your plastic surgeon’s office to determine your final fee.

A surgeon’s fee for buttock enhancement will be based on his or her experience, the type of procedure used and the geographic office location.

Most health insurance plans do not cover buttock enhancement or its complications, but many plastic surgeons offer patient financing plans, so be sure to ask.

Buttock enhancement costs may include:

• Surgeon’s fee
• Hospital or surgical facility costs
• Anesthesia fees
• Prescriptions for medication
• Post-surgery garments
• Any special pillows that may be required for your recovery
• Medical tests

When choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon in your area for buttock enhancement, remember that the surgeon’s experience and your comfort with him or her are just as important as the final cost of the surgery.

During your buttock augmentation and/or buttock lift consultation be prepared to discuss:

• Your surgical goals
• Medical conditions, drug allergies and previous medical treatments
• Current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco and drug use
• Previous surgeries

Your plastic surgeon will also:

• Evaluate your general health status and any pre-existing health conditions or risk factors
• Examine and measure your body, this may include detailed body measurements
• Take photographs for your medical records
• Discuss your body lift options
• Recommend a course of treatment
• Discuss likely outcomes of gluteal lift surgery and any risks or potential complications

The success and safety of your buttock enhancement procedure depends on your complete candidness during your consultation. You will be asked a number of questions about your health, desires and lifestyle.

The consultation is also the time to ask your plastic surgeon questions. To help, we have prepared a checklist of questions to ask your buttock enhancement surgeon that you can take with you to your consultation.

It’s very important to understand all aspects of your gluteal lift procedure. It’s natural to feel some anxiety, whether it’s excitement for your anticipated new look or a bit of preoperative stress. Don’t be shy about discussing these feelings with your plastic surgeon.

Use this checklist as a guide during your buttock enhancement consultation:

• Are you certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery?
• Were you specifically trained in the field of plastic surgery?
• How many years of plastic surgery training have you had?
• Do you have hospital privileges to perform this procedure? If so, at which hospitals?
• Is the office-based surgical facility accredited by a nationally- or state-recognized accrediting agency, or is it state-licensed or Medicare-certified?
• Am I a good candidate for this procedure?
• What will be expected of me to get the best results?
• Where and how will you perform my procedure?
• What surgical technique is recommended for me?
• How long of a recovery period can I expect, and what kind of help will I need during my recovery?
• What are the risks and complications associated with my procedure?
• How are complications handled?
• How can I expect my butt to look over time?
• What are my options if I am dissatisfied with the cosmetic outcome of my buttock augmentation and/or lift?
• Do you have before-and-after photos I can look at for this procedure and what results are reasonable for me?

The decision to have a buttock enhancement procedure is extremely personal. You will have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks and potential complications of buttock augmentation or buttock lift surgery are acceptable.

Your plastic surgeon and/or staff will explain in detail the risks associated with surgery. You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure you will undergo and any risks or potential complications.

Buttock enhancement risks include:

• Anesthesia risks
• Asymmetries
• Bleeding (hematoma)
• Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications
• Fatty tissue under the skin might die (fat necrosis)
• Fluid accumulation (seroma)
• Infection
• Numbness or other changes in skin sensation
• Pain, which may persist
• Poor wound healing
• Possible need for revisionary surgery
• Recurrent looseness of skin
• Skin discoloration and/or prolonged swelling
• Skin loss
• Sutures may spontaneously surface through the skin, become visible or produce irritation and require removal
• Unfavorable scarring

These risks and others will be fully discussed prior to your consent. It is important that you address all your questions directly with your plastic surgeon.