Having a shapelier buttock is a physical attribute desired by women and men alike. In recent years, a growing number of males in the U.S. have sought out augmentation surgery to improve their backside. One widely available option is gluteal implants. This is ideal for men who seek an athletic look that adds central projection while maintaining outer concavity. Gluteal implants provide the perfect way to maintain these new masculine contours. The end result is a firm, sculpted backside that mimics what one wasn’t able to achieve at the gym. In Chicago, the Male Plastic Surgery group specializes in gluteal implants, as well as other surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures for men.
Gluteal implant surgery is a safe and effective aesthetic procedure that improves the size and appearance of a man’s glutes with the placement of an implant. Buttock implants are made of soft, solid silicone which is different than soft, fluid-filled implants. This is so they can’t rupture or leak once placed inside the body. Silicone gluteal implants can be inserted under, in between, or above the gluteal muscle to create a shapelier, more prominent backside. This is determined by the patient’s body type and aesthetic goal. The two types of gluteal implants are directional and non-directional. The first is shaped similarly to a teardrop in order to increase fullness along the mid-section of the buttocks only. The latter offers a more uniform projection in both the top and mid-section of the glutes.
Gluteal implants, when compared to other buttock augmentation procedures, present a few advantages. First, gluteal implants are recommended to bodybuilder types who do not have enough excess donor fat available for a fat transfer alone. Butt implants, in contrast to fat injections, also have zero risks of fat re-absorption. They can also help to give the buttocks a smoother, more flawless appearance overall. This procedure can benefit men with underdeveloped glutes that are disproportionate to their upper body.
Before gluteal implant surgery, you should thoroughly discuss your aesthetic goals with your surgeon. This will help to choose an implant shape and size that best suits your body and expectations. Gluteal implant surgery is an outpatient procedure that takes one to two hours to complete.
On the day of surgery, patients will be placed face down and given general anesthesia. Next, a vertical incision will be made down the center of the sacrum, the hidden crease between the buttocks. Another incision will be made on both sides of the sacrum until the muscle has been reached. The surgeon will then create a pocket for the implant to comfortably sit within the muscle. Once placed, the surgeon confirms that each cheek is symmetrical and has a natural look. The pockets are then shut so that the muscle is over the implant. Incisions are closed with layered sutures in the buttocks tissue and with sutures to close the skin. The method for inserting and positioning gluteal implants will depend on the patient’s body type, the desired outcome, and the surgeon’s recommendations.
Gluteal implants are a great option for men who have failed to develop the desired volume, proportionality, and definition of their glutes despite traditional methods of weightlifting, diet, and exercise. Men who have leaner, more muscular physiques that don’t qualify for fat transfer, also known as BodyBanking®, may also be interested in this procedure. A good candidate for gluteal implants in Chicago:
- Desire a defined, prominent buttocks
- Are unhappy with current proportions of their body
- Want to achieve a more youthful appearance
- Have failed to build up their buttocks with diet and exercise
- Have little to no excess fat
After gluteal implant surgery, patients should expect to lay on their stomach or side for about three weeks post-procedure. As well as avoid sitting on their backside. At the time of surgery, patients will be outfitted with a compression garment to reduce swelling and accelerate healing. Mild swelling, bruising and discomfort are normal and most prominent in the first few days after surgery. These can be alleviated with medication and bandaging. Patients can return to work two to three weeks after receiving their gluteal implants. Physical activity and exercise can be resumed after one month, with swelling expected to cease after six weeks.