Lipofilling can be used to permanently and “naturally” remodel the buttocks, without the need for synthetic implants, which often cause severe complications such as depressed scars or other dangerous side-effects due to implant leakage. The cosmetic outcomes of buttock lipofilling are aesthetically pleasing, and the consistency of the remodelled buttock is natural and indistinguishable from that of the surrounding tissue.

The operation

Buttock lipofilling is indicated for both cosmetic remodelling and the correction of post-traumatic, post-surgical and/or pathological depressed scars. During the operation, a small cannula attached to a syringe is used to aspirate the fat from the donor site, usually the abdomen, flanks (the so-called “love handles” or thighs, where the adipose tissue is more compact. Once extracted, the fatty tissue is treated via centrifugation (spinning) or decantation (gravity separation), and then injected into the buttocks using a very fine needle. The procedure can be repeated until the desired effect is achieved, and is generally performed in conjunction with liposculpture. In this way the operation has a dual benefit – the removal of excess fat from “fuller” areas and, at the same time, an augmentation of the buttocks. Hence, in the majority of cases, to achieve the desired augmentation of the buttocks, a large volume of adipose tissue needs to be removed from the donor sites – roughly 200–500 cc is required for each buttock. This means that patients wishing to undergo the procedure must have sufficient quantities of fat at the donor sites to undergo the necessary liposuction.

To accurately determine the amount of fat required and the appropriate donor and recipient sites for the individual patient, the surgeon will conduct a thorough pre-operative examination, and take photos of the patient’s body. Buttock lipofilling is usually performed in day hospital, unless it is scheduled for the late afternoon, or upon specific request by the patient. Due to its low invasiveness the operation is considered safe, and will leave no scars at the lipofilling sites, because the micro-cannulas used are too small to leave a mark. At the liposuction sites, however, there will be slight scarring (about 3 mm) where the aspiration needle was inserted.

FAQs:

What kind of anaesthesia is used?

Spinal anaesthesia + sedation, or general anaesthesia

How long does the operation take?

2 – 4 hours

How long will I have to stay in hospital?

Day surgery or overnight stay

When can I resume my normal social activities?

After 1 week