Reviewed by clinicaobesidadenvejecimiento.com · Last review:
A buttock lift is a surgical procedure to lift and shape the buttocks. At the clinic it is done with the patient’s own fat, obtained by laser-assisted liposuction and grafted only under the skin. It takes 2 to 3 hours, and its safety depends mainly on respecting that plane.
- Your own fat
- 2 to 3 hours
- Only under the skin
- Plastic surgeons
What is a buttock lift?
It is a procedure that lifts and reshapes the buttocks when they have lost position or projection.
At Clínica Obesidad y Envejecimiento it is done without implants: fat from the abdomen, flanks or other areas is prepared and placed in the buttock to add volume and shape.
Who is a candidate for a buttock lift?
A good candidate usually has sagging or lack of projection, enough fat in donor areas and good general health.
- Stable weight in recent months
- No uncontrolled medical conditions
- Realistic expectations
If modeling substances were injected in the area, that problem is assessed first; COFEPRIS considers them high risk and the clinic offers laser biopolymer removal.
How is it done step by step?
It is done in four stages within a single 2 to 3 hour surgery.
- Marking: donor areas and desired shape are defined.
- Laser liposuction: fat is obtained, as in laser lipolysis.
- Preparation: the fat is cleaned so only useful tissue is grafted.
- Grafting under the skin: it is placed in the subcutaneous plane, never into the muscle.
Why is injecting only under the skin so important?
Because injecting into deep muscle is the main cause of fat embolism, the most serious complication.
After analyzing 198,857 cases, the ASERF task force (2017) recommended avoiding deep muscle. With that measure, reported mortality dropped from 1 in 3,448 to 1 in 14,952 cases (Aesthet Surg J 2020).
What results can be expected?
The result is gradual: part of the fat is reabsorbed and the final shape shows over the following months, according to ASPS.
Besides the buttock, the donor area becomes more defined thanks to liposuction.
Myth and fact
Myth: “A buttock lift uses implants.”
Fact: At the clinic your own fat is used, without implants.
Myth: “The deeper, the better the result.”
Fact: The safe approach is injecting only under the skin (ASERF 2017).
Myth: “The full result shows right after surgery.”
Fact: Part of the fat is reabsorbed; the result settles over months (ASPS).
Want to know if you are a candidate?
In the assessment we review the degree of sagging, the fat available and the right technique.
Book an assessmentFrequently asked questions
How long does surgery take?
About 2 to 3 hours.
Do I need a lot of fat?
You need enough fat in donor areas; the assessment estimates whether it is enough.
Does it leave scars?
Small incisions are used for liposuction and grafting.
Is it the same as a BBL?
It is a related technique: both graft your own fat; the safety key is the plane under the skin (Aesthet Surg J 2020).
Keep reading
Downloadable quick guide. What it is, who it is for and the 4 steps of a buttock lift in one image.
Download infographic (PNG)
Sources
- Mofid MM, et al. Report on mortality from gluteal fat grafting. Aesthet Surg J. 2017;37(7):796-806. PubMed
- Rios L, Gupta V. Improvement in Brazilian Butt Lift safety. Aesthet Surg J. 2020;40(8):864-870. PubMed
- Elsaftawy A, et al. Gluteal augmentation with fat grafting: systematic review and meta-analysis. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2026. PubMed
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Buttock augmentation. ASPS
- COFEPRIS. High-risk modeling substances. gob.mx