Although many people think that Buttock Augmentation and Brazilian Butt Lift are the same thing, Buttock Augmentation is actually a general term for the various options we can use to alter the buttocks. At Eterna Cosmetic Surgery, we offer four different options:
- Buttock Augmentation (Gluteoplasty)
- Brazilian Butt Lift
- Bellafill
- Renuva Adipose Matrix
Each of these procedures works differently, so results and costs are different, too. Cost can seem high for Buttock Augmentation if you don’t fully understand what is involved and the results you can achieve and how long they will last. So, let’s see how the options compare.
1. Buttock Augmentation (Gluteoplasty)
This surgery is designed to literally lift and re-contour your existing buttocks, by removing excess skin and repositioning tissues. The result will be rounder and more youthful-looking. It might appear larger because of its improved positioning and shape, but nothing has been added to achieve that. This procedure is typically intended for patients whose buttocks are sagging due to aging or significant weight loss. Results are permanent, as long as you maintain a healthy weight.
2. Brazilian Butt Lift
This procedure is designed to enlarge as well as reshape the buttocks, by adding fat transferred from one or more other parts of your body. You might think you’re getting “double” the results of Gluteoplasty since your buttocks will be both bigger and shapelier. In reality, the type of improvement is simply different. A Brazilian Butt Lift adds fat to increase the size and modify the shape of what already exists. The buttocks appear lifted because of the added volume. But it does not remove any loose skin.
That said, a popular side-benefit of this procedure is potentially trimmer, more nicely contoured areas where liposuction is performed to remove fat for insertion in the buttocks. Some patients choose to view this as getting more for their money. This procedure also produces permanent results, once initial healing is complete (about 60% of the fat cells will remain in their new location).
If you have cellulite, Dr. Hernandez can address that during the same session as Gluteoplasty or Brazilian Butt Lift, with various options including subcision, Cellfina or Hyperdilute Radiesse injections.
3. Bellafill
This is a injectable alternative for re-contouring and smoothing skin. Bellafill contains specialized particles that become incorporated into the tissues as they stimulate the body’s own collagen production and provide support for the new collagen. Results can last 5 years or longer, so they are considered semi-permanent.
4. Renuva Adipose Matrix
This injectable is also a great option, especially for patients who don’t have enough fat to transfer or are reluctant to undergo liposuction. It adds volume in the buttocks by stimulating the patient’s own fat cells to expand, and provides long-lasting results.
What Does “Permanent” Really Mean?
It is important to remember that your body, including your buttocks, continues to change as part of the natural aging process. Our body stops making collagen at some point in our late 20’s. After that, we lose about 2% of collagen every year. As these changes occur, we have to replace volume lost from aging to help maintain a youthful look.
What about Cost?
Both Gluteoplasty and Brazilian Butt Lift are both serious procedures that require surgical skill and experience as well as aesthetic abilities. Gluteoplasty is more expensive because it is a surgical procedure that must be done at a hospital, under general anesthesia. It involves a large incision across the lower back (from hip to hip), requires drains, and carries more potential risks over all. A Brazilian Butt Lift costs less because it is minimally invasive, is performed with tumescent anesthesia, and can be done as a day surgery procedure. It also carries fewer potential risks.
Buttock Augmentation with fillers such as Renuva or Bellafill, is typically more costly than Buttock Augmentation with a Brazilian Butt Lift or Gluteoplasty because it requires a lot of product, which comes in syringes, to achieve the equivalent results.
