Gluteal Augmentation with Fat Transfer. Butt is it Brazilian?
In recent years there has been emerging fascination with gluteal augmentation often achieved by silicone implants; fat transfers; or a combination of both.
I frequently hear these procedures referred to as a “Brazilian Butt Lift” which is not quite accurate.
The creation of an enormous, exaggerated, and disproportionate bottom, often not in harmony with the rest of the client’s physique, is an example of iatrogenic dysmorphism. In fact, I’m often left to ponder where one shops for clothing to drape some of the enormous and obviously manufactured derrieres on display nowadays. Of course, it cannot be denied that beauty is often in the eye of the beholder and the deliberate creation of exaggerated curves and volume is considered both attractive and desirable by many clients.
The term Brazilian Butt Lift refers to a sculpted and elevated bottom which many women achieve simply by wearing high heeled shoes. High heels force the wearer to tilt the pelvis forward thus elevating the posterior and achieving an attractive lift. The high derrier is not new and was often a celebrated feature in Victorian fashion. It is no coincidence that the female derrier has attracted the attention of fashion designers over the centuries as has come to symbolize fertility which in turn is associated with health and youth.
At the Reddy Aesthetic Institute, we focus on creating an attractive gluteum, or bottom, that is in harmony with the client’s physique. One important ratio we attempt to optimize is the waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), which is ideally 0.70 based on studies of beauty pageant contestants. In addition, with careful study, it becomes apparent that many women are harboring an attractive gluteum but simply need some help to properly reveal it. This can be achieved with gluteal sculpting which focuses on selective removal of fat in the intra-gluteal areas; the superior gluteum; the gluteal fold; and the upper outer buttock. The zones of an attractive gluteum and upper thigh have been carefully studied and described by Dr. Constantino Mendietta and I subscribe to his approach in my own practice.
Treating the gluteum and upper thighs with lipo-sculpting results in an attractive and elevated bottom. As a final touch a selected amount of volume in the form of processed fat may be carefully grafted in the gluteus muscle to achieve improved projection, augmentation, and added lift. I rarely transfer more than 400 cc per side during a Brazilian augmentation.
As one can see, the Brazilian Butt is the result of sculpting as much as strategic augmentation with fat.
I hope this blog illustrates the difference between simply augmenting the bottom as opposed to properly sculpting the gluteal area. It is only the latter that must be considered a Brazilian augmentation or Brazilian Butt lift. I hope readers find this opinion useful when considering surgical augmentation of the bottom.
P. Pravin Reddy, MD
The Reddy Aesthetic Institute
Dr. Reddy is a Board Certified Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon with an interest in a variety of body contouring procedures including surgery to restore an attractive physique after Massive Weight Loss (MWL).