Most women want a perfect body, an hourglass figure with a small waist, large breasts, and a perfect butt. Beautiful buttocks are round and lifted with no stretch marks. For someone who has a slightly flat butt, buttock augmentation is a popular procedure to increase the volume of the gluteal.
Buttock augmentation is a surgical procedure designed to increase the volume or enhance the shape of the buttock. The plastic surgeon will enhance the buttocks with a choice of three popular procedures. Buttock augmentation can be performed using silicone implants or fat from another part of the patient’s body, known as fat transfer or fat grafting. These procedures are known to be safe and effective if carried out correctly.
Safety Considerations
A well-proportioned figure is often associated with a defined waist and naturally curved contours. For individuals who feel their buttocks are flat, lack volume, or have lost shape due to aging or weight changes, buttock augmentation can help restore a more youthful and enhanced appearance.
Be aware that if a surgeon suggests that silicone or other non-approved substances are injected into the buttock, it is unsafe and illegal. This technique is dangerous for people who are injected with non-sterile appliances or products. The injected substances can move to other areas in your body, and compound to become hard granulomas or cause skin necrosis. This can be a life-threatening complication, as in worse-case scenarios, the materials injected into the blood vessels, like the embolus, will move to the heart and lungs, which can cause death.
The most popular types of Buttock Surgery include
- Buttock Implants
- Buttock Lifts
- Buttock Augmentation
1. Buttock Implants
Implants are the most effective procedure to enhance the shape of the buttocks. Buttock implants have been recommended as safe and effective for buttock enhancement. This procedure is most suitable for someone who does not have sufficient body fat for fat transfer.
During the procedure, specially designed silicone implants are placed through a discreet incision hidden within the natural crease between the buttocks. The implants provide enhanced projection, improved symmetry, and long-lasting results.
2. Fat Transfer (Brazilian Butt Lift / BBL)
Fat is removed by liposuction from areas such as the abdomen, flanks, lower back or thighs. It is then purified and injected into the buttocks. A BBL reshapes two areas at once: the donor areas become slimmer while the buttocks gain volume. It can also be combined with implants for a more natural contour.
At Kamol Hospital, fat is placed only in the layer beneath the skin, not into the gluteal muscle, which is the most important safety measure in modern BBL.
Benefits of BBL
- Natural look and feel
- Improve body contour through liposuction
- No implant required
- Dual benefit of body sculpting and buttock enhancement
In some cases, fat transfer may be combined with implants to achieve the desired volume and shape.
3. Buttock Lift (with or without Implants or Fat)
A buttock lift is designed to improve sagging or excess skin around the buttocks, resulting in a firmer and more youthful appearance, lower body lift.
This procedure may involve removing excess skin and tightening surrounding tissue. Depending on the patient’s needs, a buttock lift can be combined with an implant or fat transfer to enhance both shape and volume.
Incisions are typically placed in discreet locations, such as along the upper buttock area, where they can often be concealed beneath swimwear or underwear.
Benefit of Buttock lift
- Improves sagging skin
- Creates a firmer, lifted appearance
- Enhances buttock contour and definition
- Can be combined with other body contouring procedures.
A Good Candidate
- Anyone who has lost buttock volume or shape through weight loss or aging
- Those with flat or sagging buttocks who want more projection
- Anyone wanting fuller, more balanced proportions
- Patients with enough donor fat, if fat transfer is the preferred approach
- Non-smokers in good general health, with realistic expectations
The procedure suits both women and men. Motivations differ — many men are looking for shape and definition rather than volume — and your surgeon will plan accordingly.
Preparation
- Consult your plastic surgeon to choose the technique and implant size that suit your body.
- Have a physical examination and blood test, plus a chest X-ray and EKG if you’re over 40.
- Take or adjust any regular medication as your doctor advises.
- Stop smoking at least two weeks before surgery.
- Stop aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, herbal supplements and vitamins that affect blood clotting.
The Procedure
- Surgery is performed under general anesthesia, with you lying face down.
- Implants: A 4–5 cm incision is made in the buttock crease. A pocket is created for each implant, the implants are placed and shaped, and the incision is closed.
- Fat transfer: Fat is harvested by liposuction, purified, and injected into the layer beneath the skin of the buttocks.
- The operation takes around 2–3 hours.
Post-operative Care
- Wear the compression garment for about one month to support the implants or fat and reduce swelling.
- Lie on your stomach for at least 7 days to protect the incision. After that, alternate between your stomach and sides for a further 2–3 weeks.
- Keep the incision in the buttock crease clean and dry, as this area is prone to infection.
- Take the pain medication provided for at least the first five days.
- Walk gently from the first days to support circulation.
- Eat soft food for the first week to reduce the need to sit on the toilet for long. When you do sit, shift your weight onto one side.
- Avoid sitting normally for at least two weeks.
- Stitches are removed 7 days after surgery.
- Attend every follow-up appointment.
Recovery
This is a recovery that demands patience, because the treated area is the one you’d normally sit on. Expect significant discomfort in the first week, along with bruising and swelling.
Most patients return to work after about two weeks, provided their job doesn’t require prolonged sitting. Sitting restrictions ease gradually from two weeks under your surgeon’s guidance. Strenuous exercise should wait around six weeks.
With fat transfer, some volume is reabsorbed over the first three months — the remaining fat then establishes a blood supply and is permanent. Your final shape is usually clear at around six months.
Risks and Complications
General risks
- Bleeding and bruising
- Pain, which can be significant during recovery
- Infection, especially because the incision is close to the anal area
- Poor wound healing or wound separation
- Scarring or skin discoloration
- Allergic reactions or anesthesia-related risks
Implant-specific risks
- Implant shifting or asymmetry, which may need revision surgery
- Capsular contracture (scar tissue tightening around the implant), which may need revision surgery
Fat transfer (BBL)-specific risks
- Temporary numbness of the buttocks
- Loss of some or all of the transferred fat, leading to asymmetry or lumps
- Fat embolism: a rare but potentially fatal complication in which fat enters the large veins of the gluteal muscle and travels to the lungs. The risk is greatest when fat is injected into or below the muscle, which is why fat is placed only in the layer beneath the skin.
Why Choose Kamol Hospital in Bangkok for Buttock Augmentation
- All three techniques in one hospital: Implants, fat transfer and buttock lifts are all offered, so your surgeon recommends what suits your body rather than the only option available.
- A safety-first approach to BBL: Fat is placed in the layer beneath the skin, never into the gluteal muscle, following current international safety guidance.
- Planning for the whole lower body: Buttock augmentation can be planned together with liposuction, a tummy tuck or a body lift for balanced proportions.
- Hospital-level care: Surgery under general anesthesia with a dedicated anesthesia team, in a hospital accredited by Joint Commission International (JCI).
- Close aftercare: Guidance on positioning, sitting and compression garments, plus follow-up until your wound has fully healed.
- Support for international patients: Multilingual coordinators and Kamol Trip help you plan your stay and recovery in Bangkok.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Brazilian Butt Lift?
Brazilian Butt Lift is a cosmetic surgery procedure that enhances the size and shape of the buttocks. The procedure typically involves the removal of fat from the abdomen, hips, or lower back using liposuction and then injecting the fat into the buttocks area to increase its volume and shape. The BBL aims to create a more youthful and shapely appearance for the buttocks. It is an invasive procedure that requires general anesthesia and should be performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon.
What are the benefits of having a Brazilian Butt Lift?
BBL can provide several benefits, including:
- Improving the shape and contour of the buttocks: The procedure can help to enhance the shape and size of the buttocks, giving them a more youthful and rounded appearance.
- Increasing self-confidence: Many people report feeling more confident and self-assured after the procedure.
- Removing unwanted fat: Liposuction, often used with a BBL, can help remove unwanted fat from areas such as the abdomen, hips, and lower back.
- Minimally invasive: The procedure is typically performed using liposuction, a minimally invasive technique requiring small incisions.
- Long-lasting results: With a proper diet and exercise, results can last several years, but the longevity of the results may vary.
It’s important to note that, like any surgical procedure, BBLs also carry risks, and it’s important to have realistic expectations and discuss the procedure thoroughly with a board-certified plastic surgeon.
What are the side effects of having a Brazilian Butt Lift?
Possible side effects of BBL include:
- Bruising, swelling, and pain in the areas where the fat was removed and injected
- Numbness in the buttocks, which is usually temporary
- Infection, bleeding, and blood clots, which are rare but serious complications
- Loss of some or all of the injected fat, which can occur if the fat is not injected correctly or if the body reabsorbs it
- Asymmetry or irregular shape of the buttocks
- Fat embolism is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication that occurs when fat enters the bloodstream and blocks blood vessels in the lungs.
It’s important to note that the side effects of BBL may vary depending on the individual, surgeon’s skill and experience, and other factors. It’s always best to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon about the risks and benefits of the procedure and to have realistic expectations about the outcome.
Why Brazilian Butt Lift is a dangerous procedure?
The Brazilian Butt Lift is a dangerous procedure because it involves the injection of fat into the buttocks. This fat is injected into the deep layers of the skin, which can lead to severe and even life-threatening complications. The procedure requires a high degree of skill and precision to ensure that the fat is injected into the right areas and that there is no leakage or infection. If these conditions are not met, the fat may become infected, and the patient may suffer from septic shock or other life-threatening complications. The fat injected may also not survive, leading to lumps, asymmetry, or other deformities.
Our surgeons inject fat only into the layer beneath the skin and never into the muscle. The volume transferred in one session is also limited to what is safe for your body. Choosing an experienced plastic surgeon working in an accredited hospital is the most important safety decision you can make.
Should I choose implants or a BBL?
It mainly depends on how much body fat you have and the result you want. If you have enough fat in areas such as the abdomen or thighs, a BBL lets you slim those areas while adding natural volume to the buttocks. If you’re slim, or want a larger and more predictable increase, implants are usually the better choice. If your main concern is loose or sagging skin, a buttock lift may be needed. Your surgeon may also recommend combining techniques.
When can I sit normally again?
Most patients can sit normally after about two weeks, avoiding long periods of sitting for a little longer. After a BBL, pressure on the buttocks can reduce fat survival, so your surgeon may ask you to use a special cushion that keeps weight off the buttocks when sitting, including during travel.
Is it legal to get silicone or PMMA buttock injections in Thailand?
No. Injecting silicone, PMMA, or other free substances directly into the buttocks is unsafe and illegal in Thailand, as it is in most countries. Legitimate buttock augmentation in Bangkok uses only an approved implant or your own purified fat — never injected free substances.
Why do patients travel to Bangkok for buttock augmentation or BBL?
Bangkok has become a major destination for body contouring, and Kamol Hospital performs buttock augmentation in an accredited hospital with full anesthetic monitoring — a setting that matters more for this procedure than almost any other. Patients choose Thailand specifically for surgeons experienced in both implant and fat transfer approaches, rather than providers who only offer one technique.
How long should I stay in Bangkok after buttock augmentation?
Plan to stay in Bangkok for about 10–14 days. This covers stitch removal at around day 7 and a wound check before you travel, since sitting on a long flight early in recovery can be uncomfortable. Thailand is one of Asia’s leading destinations for body contouring surgery, and Kamol Trip can arrange accommodation close to the hospital.
