Surgical Procedures - Body Sculpting

Buttocks Implants (gluteal augmentation)

Hurlingham Clinic Buttock Implants (Gluteal Augmentation)

The buttocks are a part of the body not always easily enlarged or shaped by diet or training. People who wish to give more definition to the buttocks can choose to undergo buttock implantation using very soft silicone implants.

PLANNING YOUR SURGERY

During your initial consultation, your surgeon will evaluate your health and explain which surgical techniques will be used for implantation. Be sure to discuss your expectations frankly with our staff. Your surgeon will be equally frank with you, describing your alternatives and the risks and limitations of each. And, be sure to tell your surgeon if you smoke and if you're taking any medications, vitamins or other drugs. He will also explain the type of anaesthesia to be used, where the surgery will be performed and the costs involved. He will also discuss a suitable size and shape of implant for you.

Preparing for your surgery
Our staff will give you detailed instructions to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding certain medications. While making preparations, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after your surgery from the clinic and to help you out for a few days.

THE SURGERY

The buttock implant is usually placed through an incision overlying the tailbone and between the buttocks. This heals with an inconspicuous scar. Through this incision, the implant may be placed in a pocket either on top of, or underneath, the buttock muscle (gluteus maximus). The choice of pocket depends on each patient's individual shape and anatomy.

The surgery usually takes about one-and-a-half hours to complete. Dissolving stitches are used to close the incisions, which will also be taped for greater support. A light dressing is then applied. Surgical drains are inserted, which you will go home with. They will be removed when you return to the clinic in 2-3 days.

TIVA: ANAESTHESIA OPTIONS

The Hurlingham Clinic and Spa offers a modern, patient-friendly approach to anaesthesia TIVA - Total Intravenous Anaesthesia. TIVA, is a newer anaesthetic technique which has risen in profile within the last 5-8 years. It has been made possible with the advent of a new generation of intravenous medications with unique properties. TIVA patients sleep soundly during the entire operation, feeling no pain and experiencing no anxiousness. They wake up quickly and comfortably with no memory of their procedure. Many patients prefer this type of anaesthetic to traditional general anaesthetics since they feel comfortable, wake quickly, have less nausea, experience none of the 'hang-over' effect of a full general anaesthetic, and therefore can be discharged earlier. TIVA is safe, effective, extremely well tolerated and is the anaesthetic of choice of Hurlingham Clinic surgeons and most of their patients. Alternatively, for some patients, they and their surgeons may decide that a full general anaesthetic is still the best choice. Discuss your options for anaesthesia during your consultation with your cosmetic surgeon

AFTER YOUR SURGERY

As the buttock area is an area of the body that is required for walking, sitting and so many other movements, patients may experience slightly greater discomfort than with other cosmetic surgery procedures. The recovery period also involves greater inconvenience. In the first few days it is best to avoid sitting. Instead, lie on your front or recline on your side. Most of your discomfort can be controlled by medication that we will prescribe. Within a few days, the drains and dressings are removed. You will be able to shower 24 hours after the drains are removed. You can expect to be fully mobile again in about 7-10 days.

SOME RISK

Buttock enhancement is relatively straightforward. But all surgery carries risks and specific possible complications. The most common problem, capsular contracture, occurs if the scar or capsule around the implant begins to tighten. This can cause the buttock to feel hard. Treatments include the removal or 'scoring' of the scar tissue, or perhaps removal or replacement of the implant. As with any surgical procedure, excessive bleeding following the operation may cause some swelling and pain. If this bleeding continues, a further procedure may be necessary to control it and remove the accumulated blood. Rarely an infection may develop around an implant which, if it is going to happen, usually occurs within a week of surgery. This may mean the implant has to be removed for several months until the infection clears and a new implant can be inserted. In some cases small patches of numbness around your incisions may occur which usually improve over time, but may be permanent in some patients. Occasionally buttock implants break or leak as a result of injury or even from normal compression. If a break occurs in a gel-filled implant, however, one of two things may occur. If the shell breaks but the surrounding scar capsule does not, you may not detect any change. If the scar also breaks or tears, especially following a lot of pressure, silicone gel may enter surrounding tissue. The gel may then collect in the buttock where a new scar will form around it, or it may migrate to another area of the body. This may cause a change in the shape or firmness of the buttock. Both types of break will normally require a second operation to replace the leaking implant. In some cases it may not be possible to remove all of the silicone gel in the buttock tissue after a rupture. While the majority of women do not experience any complications, you should discuss each of them with your physician to make sure you understand the risks and consequences involved in breast augmentation.

RECOVERY

You should be able to return to work within ten days, depending on the level of activity required for your job. You will be given advice on when to begin exercises and normal activities; usually about four weeks post procedure. Your scars will be firm and pink for at least six weeks. Then they may remain the same size for several months, or even appear to widen. After several months, your scars will begin to fade, although they will never disappear completely. The results will be seen immediately but it may take about six months until the results feel as if they are part of your body when the buttocks look more natural and soften.

CHANGING YOUR MIND

If you have a complication from your buttock implants and decide that you simply want them out (or if you want them out for any reason), removal is relatively simple. It can be performed through the same incision, and recovery is faster than recovery from the original surgery.

Contact us for your body sculpting surgery consultation.

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