When it comes to searching for treatments that can reshape the flat buttocks, patients always encounter two popular treatments that thousands of people swear by – Brazilian butt lifts and butt implants. Although many patients confuse them with each other, these treatments are not the same thing.
So what’s the difference between butt lifts and butt augmentation? While they are similar in goal, these treatments utilize different methods to add volume to the buttocks. Butt lift uses fat transfer to give the buttocks a natural lift while butt augmentation utilizes sterile FDA-approved implants.
What Makes Butt Lift and Butt Augmentation Different
Whatever the patient’s reason for a butt enhancement procedure, doctors may present them with two possible treatments: Brazilian butt lifts and butt implants. With further evaluation and consultation, patients will eventually find out which treatment works better for their lifestyle.
If you want natural-looking plumper buttocks and an overall voluptuous figure, Brazilian butt lift is the better procedure. This 2-in-1 plastic surgery involves fat transfer from different areas in the body such as thighs, abdomen, and hips to the gluteal area. This results in an increase in the buttocks’ volume that will last for years.
However, not all patients are qualified for a Brazilian butt lift that involves fat grafting. For patients that don’t have enough fat donor areas, butt implants might be the better solution. This treatment, also known as gluteoplasty, works similarly to a breast augmentation procedure. Solid silicone implants will be placed in the buttocks through an incision.
Butt Lift and Butt Augmentation Difference: A Closer Look
Although it is part of the surgeon’s job to thoroughly explain both procedures to the patient, it can also help to research the treatments. That way, patients can have a better understanding of what to expect before, during, and after the procedure. It will also help them make an informed decision about what to do with their bodies.
To highlight the main differences between Brazilian butt lift and buttock implants, here are some points to consider:
How it Works
Butt lift procedures are a two-part treatment that begins with liposuction – a procedure that suctions excess fat from areas such as hips, thighs, and abdomen using a cannula. The fat is purified before it is injected into the gluteal area. Most doctors derive fat up to three times than what is actually used.
For butt implants, the procedure is similar to breast implants: plastic surgeons create incisions around the area where silicone implants will be placed. Depending on the size of the implants to be installed, the surgeon can make smaller or larger incisions. Patients who don’t have enough body fat choose this plastic surgery.
Synthetic vs. Natural
Another important thing to consider when selecting butt enhancement treatment is the nature of the substance – would you rather have your own purified fat injected or are synthetic implants preferable?
Patients who opt for silicone implants can rest easy because despite being synthetic, the FDA deemed the implants safe for surgery. On the other hand, a butt lift surgery using the derived excess fat from the patient has better chances to be accepted by the body.
Costs
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost of a Brazilian butt lift with fat grafting is at $4277 while buttock implants cost $5004. These estimates are only a part of the total price which can still increase depending on the price of anesthesia, facilities, and other expenses. The rates will also depend on the surgeon’s experience and the clinic’s location.
Since both treatment options are cosmetic procedures, they will not be covered by health insurance plans; patients must pay everything out of their pocket. However, be wary of too-good-to-be-true deals, as they might bring more harm than good. Always ensure that the surgeon who will perform the plastic surgery is board-certified with lots of experience in the field.
Results
Brazilian butt lift patients usually notice plumper buttocks after the procedure, but the “final look” of the butt will only show after several months. This is because some of the transferred fat is absorbed by the body. On average, only 60-80% of the derived fat stays permanently in the buttocks. By maintaining a stable weight, patients can enjoy the butt lift for years.
Patients who selected butt implants instead can enjoy a high success rate and permanent results. It might take up to six months to see the implant’s full results. To maintain the outcome, patients are advised to undergo follow-up surgery every several years especially in case of implant shift or break.
Risks and Side Effects
Since both procedures are surgical, they might still carry specific risks such as infection, scarring, bleeding, and pain.
One major side effect of Brazilian butt lift is the risk of embolism during fat transfer. If the treatment is incorrectly performed by the surgeon, the fat might travel to the vessel and block the blood flow. Currently, the mortality rate from this plastic surgery is 1 in 3000 patients.
In some cases, the patient’s silicone implants might move out of place, causing the buttocks to appear asymmetrical. This can be fixed by additional surgery.
Selecting the Right Treatment for a Flat Butt
| Pros | Cons | |
| Brazilian Butt Lift | Patients can enjoy plumper buttocks and curvy bodies with this two-part procedure that involves fat transfer. | The surgery must be performed by a board-certified and experienced surgeon to minimize the risk of fat embolism. |
| Butt Augmentation / Butt Implants | This treatment can provide dramatic results which can last for years even for patients that don’t have enough excess fat. | Additional surgery might be necessary in cases of asymmetrical buttocks after the initial procedure. |
Although they are often confused with each other, butt lifts and butt implants work in different ways. Depending on the patient’s health and lifestyle, the surgeon might deem one procedure to be better than the other.
In selecting a butt enhancement procedure, it’s also important to evaluate your expectations and goals. A butt lift can bring natural-looking results using fat transfer, but you are free to pick the size of the implants with butt augmentation.
Butt Enhancement Services at Ethos Spa
Want to explore more options to reshape your buttocks? Start consulting with our experts now.
Here at Ethos Spa, we also discuss to our patients the possibility of choosing a safe but effective alternative like Sculptra Brazilian butt lift. This one-step treatment naturally stimulates the body’s collagen production for a natural butt lift without the risks that come with traditional Brazilian butt lift or butt implants
Learn more: Brazilian Butt Lift Versus Butt Implants
