If you plan to become pregnant or lose weight in the future, you should discuss this with your plastic surgeon. Scarring from previous back surgery may limit the results of your buttock lift.

Your Personal Consultation
During the consultation, you will be asked about the results you would like to achieve from butt lift plastic surgery. This will help your surgeon to understand your expectations and determine whether they realistically can be achieved.

How will my plastic surgeon evaluate me for butt lift plastic surgery?

Your plastic surgeon may examine your back and buttock areas while you are standing as well as lying down. Your skin tone and the degree of loose skin in these regions will be assessed. Your surgeon also will evaluate the amount of excess fat in your lower back and upper buttock areas and the condition of your back muscles.

You should come to the butt lift plastic surgery consultation prepared to discuss your medical history. This will include information about any medical conditions, drug allergies, medical treatments you have received, pregnancies, previous surgeries and medications that you currently take. It is important for you to provide complete information.

Will my insurance help cover the cost of surgery?
Butt lift plastic surgery, as an aesthetic (cosmetic) procedure, generally is not covered by insurance. Insurance reimbursement may be available for that portion of the procedure that is not cosmetic. Many factors determine your eligibility for coverage, including the specific terms of your insurance policy. A letter of predetermination may be required by your insurance company prior to surgery. Your plastic surgeon or a staff member in your surgeon's office will discuss these matters with you.

How Butt Lifting Is Performed
Individual factors and personal preferences will determine the specific technique selected to smooth and flatten your back and elevate your buttock.

Generally, a horizontal incision is placed just within your bikini line.

To tighten and lift the buttocks, the surgeon brings loose underlying tissue and muscle together with sutures.

Lower back skin is pulled downward, and the excess is removed. The buttock is lifted to a more youthful and higher position.

Where are the butt lifting incisions placed?
Generally, a horizontal incision is placed just within the bikini line. The length of the incision, which extends laterally toward the pelvic bones, depends largely on the amount of skin to be removed. The contour of this incision will vary somewhat according to the structure of your back and the style of bathing suit or undergarments that you prefer. Your plastic surgeon will try to keep the incision within your bathing suit lines, but this may not always be possible.

Skin of the lower back that contains stretch marks may be removed as well. Any remaining stretch marks may be somewhat flattened and improved, but you should not expect a dramatic change in their appearance.

The procedure may include tightening of the underlying back muscles using sutures.

What are some variations to the common butt lifting technique?
There are many variations both to the design of the incisions and the technique itself. When the amount of loose skin is minimal and the excess fat deposits are located below the navel, a short horizontal incision is all that is necessary. This procedure is called a partial, or "mini," excisional back lipectomy.

Sometimes liposuction may be used alone, or in conjunction with butt lifting, to remove lower back and buttock fat.

Your plastic surgeon will discuss with you the particular method that he or she recommends for achieving the best result in your particular case.

Results of Your Buttock Surgery
Buttock surgery will enhance your body contour by making your back firmer and flatter and your buttocks lifted and more youthful in contour. You may find that you feel more comfortable in your clothing and are more confident about your appearance.

The incisions from the procedure will heal and fade over time. It is important to realize, however, that the incision lines will be permanently visible. In some instances, they will eventually be only faint lines. Certain individuals may have incision lines that are more noticeable. Fortunately, the incisions for your buttock surgery are usually in locations concealed by most bathing suits and undergarments.

How long will the results last?
Unless you gain or lose a significant amount of weight or become pregnant, your lower back and upper buttock should remain firmer and flatter for many years. However, gravity and the effects of aging will eventually take their toll. If, after a period of years, you again become dissatisfied with the appearance of your back and buttocks, you may choose to undergo a second procedure to restore a more youthful body contour.