Buttock Augmentation

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am interested in buttock augmentation. I am a 53 year old athletic woman who had liposuction years ago that left me with misshaped and sagging buttocks. A skin lift four years ago helped just a little, but, as photos show, still a big problem. I am wanting to fill out my buttocks but keep an athletic look, since the rest of my body has good muscle definition. Is there a buttock augmentation procedure that will enable me to continue to do extreme sports?

A:  The residual problem with your buttocks is a volume issue not one of a skin sag. The dilemma you have is that of two treatment options, fat grafting and implants, one of the them (fat grafting) is not a viable option due to your very lean body. Buttock implants, while effective, poses both a recovery and potential physical activity limitation (during the long recovery process) for what your physical standards are. (extreme sports) It would probably take three months for a full recovery. Given these issues, I do not see any method of buttock augmentation that will work for your specific physical needs. While full gluteal muscle function will return, the impact of intramuscular buttock implants is suspect in very highly athletic people.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana