Buttock augmentation (gluteal implants)

Buttock augmentation, also known as implant gluteoplasty, improves the shape, fullness and projection of the buttocks. It may be considered where there is flattening or inadequate projection from natural body shape, ageing, weight loss, developmental differences or loss of volume over time. Gluteal implants are also an option for patients who do not have enough donor fat for fat transfer, or who prefer the more predictable volume an implant provides. They cannot reliably correct significant loose skin, cellulite, stretch marks or marked drooping — substantial skin laxity may need a buttock lift or another body-contouring procedure.

Anaesthetic: General
Hospital stay: Overnight
Time off work: About 2 weeks
Final result: Settles over several months

A general guide only — your own timeline is confirmed at consultation.

What it involves

Performed under general anaesthetic. An incision is made within the natural cleft between the buttocks, and a pocket is carefully created within each gluteus maximus muscle — intramuscular placement. A preformed gluteal implant is inserted into each muscular pocket, so the muscle covers the implant and helps produce a smoother, more natural contour. Implant size and shape are selected according to buttock dimensions, muscle size and thickness, existing tissue coverage, body proportions, the projection wanted, and safe anatomical limits. Because important nerves and blood vessels lie within and around the gluteal region, careful planning and precise placement are essential. The incisions are closed with sutures, and dressings and a compression garment applied. The largest implant is not the best or safest choice — the size must suit your muscle, your tissues and your proportions.

Who it may suit

A suitable patient generally:

Is in good overall health, with a stable body weight
Has inadequate buttock projection or flattening
Has sufficient muscle and tissue to cover an implant
Has realistic expectations
Understands the scars and the recovery requirements
Accepts that further implant surgery may be needed in future
Does not smoke, vape or use nicotine
Is willing to follow the sitting, hygiene, activity and wound-care instructions

Recovery

An overnight stay is usually required for monitoring, pain control and help with moving. Swelling, bruising, tightness and discomfort are expected, and walking, sleeping and changing position may be uncomfortable at first. For the first 14 days you must not sit directly on the buttocks — sitting is permitted only when using the bathroom — and you should sleep on your front or side. Light daily activity is usually possible after about two weeks, and exercise after about two months once cleared. Swelling can take several months to settle and the implants take time to reach their final position:

No sitting except when using the bathroom, for 14 days
Walk gently and regularly to support circulation
Keep the incision and buttock cleft clean and dry
Wear the compression garment for one month
Avoid strenuous activity and heavy lifting
Avoid smoking, vaping and nicotine
Take prescribed medication as directed and attend all follow-up appointments

This page is a general guide. Every procedure is planned individually — the details, risks and recovery relevant to you are discussed at consultation.

Patient information leaflet Download the full buttock augmentation (gluteal implants) leaflet (PDF)

Common questions

Implants or a BBL — which is right for me?

They are different operations. Implants do not need a large amount of donor fat, give a more predictable volume, and stay as permanent medical devices that may need revision, replacement or removal in future. A Brazilian butt lift uses your own fat, which means it needs enough donor fat to harvest and some of it is always reabsorbed, but it also contours the donor areas and avoids an implant. Which suits you depends on your anatomy, available donor fat, skin quality, the result you want, and your tolerance for the different risks and recovery requirements.

Why is the implant placed inside the muscle when a BBL must stay above it?

They are solving different problems. In fat grafting the danger is liquid fat entering an injured blood vessel and travelling to the lungs or heart, and the vessels that allow that lie within and beneath the gluteal muscle — which is why transferred fat must stay in the fatty layer above it. A gluteal implant is a solid device placed into a pocket created under direct vision within the muscle, where the muscle gives it coverage and a smoother contour. The same anatomy therefore leads to opposite rules for the two operations.

Why can I not sit for two weeks?

Direct sitting puts pressure on the operated muscle, the incisions and the implant pockets during the period when they are healing. Sitting is allowed only when using the bathroom, you should sleep on your front or side, and you should change position carefully. Walking gently and regularly is still encouraged throughout, both for circulation and to reduce the risk of blood clots. Help with daily activities is often needed in that first fortnight.

What is the Betadine preparation for?

The cleft between the buttocks naturally carries bacteria, and the incision sits in it. As part of our pre-operative protocol you will be asked to clean the buttock cleft with Betadine twice daily for the seven days before surgery, to reduce the risk of infection. Use it only as the practice instructs, and tell us beforehand if you have had irritation or an allergic reaction to povidone-iodine, have a relevant thyroid condition, or have been advised not to use iodine-containing products.

What happens if the implant becomes infected?

Infection after gluteal implant surgery is uncommon but important. The implant pocket can become infected despite careful technique, antibiotics and wound care. Some infections settle with antibiotics; if the infection involves the pocket or does not settle, the implant may need to be removed. A replacement can be considered only once the infection has been fully controlled and the tissues have healed. Increasing redness, warmth or swelling, worsening pain, fever or chills, pus or unusual fluid, or the wound opening should all be reported promptly.

Are gluteal implants permanent?

They are medical devices and are not guaranteed to last for life. They may move, rotate, become visible or be felt, the two sides may heal differently, and mild asymmetry may remain or develop — perfect symmetry cannot be guaranteed. Weight change and ageing continue to alter the surrounding tissue, and implants do not prevent future sagging. Revision, replacement or removal may become necessary.