With fat for body sculpting becoming a new trend in cosmetic surgery, it is not surprising that butt augmentation through fat grafting is on the rise. A report released by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) in 2016 showed an increase of butt augmentation using fat grafting, with over 18,489 procedures performed in that year alone.
The shift from implants to fat grafting has given rise to the steady popularity of the Brazilian Butt Lift in Houston, an alternative procedure that uses body fat to enhance the shape and size of the buttocks.
But even with its success, some patients continue to search for non-invasive or minimally invasive procedures to enhance their buttocks. This has led many to a common practice known as the off-label use of medical devices such as dermal fillers.
Our top butt lift surgeons can help you assess if you have enough amount of fat to harvest from a part of your body to transfer to your buttocks.
Learn more about
Brazilian Butt Lift in Houston
The Risks of Dermal Fillers in Butt Lift
Dermal fillers are FDA-approved injectable medical devices used to address facial aging issues. It functions as a filler and volumizer, lifting areas in the face that have lost volume. At present, dermal filler usage is limited only to the face, but its off-label use has come to include the Brazilian Butt Lift.
The use of dermal fillers for Brazilian Butt Lift is not prohibited. However, it is not an advertised option for the procedure. Patients opt for its off-label use for several
reasons, including:
- Insufficient body fat
- Uneasiness in undergoing surgery
- Improvement of previous butt augmentation without additional surgery
Although the exact effects of its use for Brazilian Butt Lift are yet to be known, there are risks associated with the use of dermal fillers alone, which include:
- An infection that is is relatively high if large volumes are used
- Lumping and formation of hard nodules
- Migration of the filler from the area of injection
There have also been isolated cases of death associated with the use of dermal fillers for butt augmentation. The most common cause is an embolism, which happens when the filler is accidentally injected into the bloodstream, causing a blockage that impedes good blood circulation to major organs.
Disadvantages of Dermal Fillers in Butt Lift Surgery
The results of using dermal fillers for Brazilian Butt Lift may not be as dramatic and permanent as when fat is utilized. Expectations can be met, but it can also depend on the plastic surgeon’s skill and technique in administering the procedure.
Since dermal fillers are given in small amounts, initial treatment may use several vials to meet the needed volume to enhance the buttocks. Downtime is minimal. However, it would take two to three sessions to achieve the butt shape and size that the patient desires.
Dermal fillers do not come cheap either, especially filler injections made from high-grade materials. This is a major prohibitive factor for its use in a Brazilian Butt Lift. The high cost can lead patients to turn to the black market where fake and low-grade dermal fillers and butt augmentation services are offered at a much lower price.
This is significantly disadvantageous as it will leave them disfigured and dissatisfied with the outcome and highly exposed to fraud injectors, under-trained plastic surgeons, risks, and complications, which can eventually lead to death in the worst cases.
Recommended Article:
A Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) Task Force was created due to the prevalent malpractice of the procedure. Read Dr. Hsu’s opinion on this issue on the ABC13 report.
Avoiding the Worst
While there will always be patients seeking cheaper and less-invasive alternatives to a Brazilian Butt Lift, there is not enough data at this time that can adequately support butt enhancements through the use of dermal fillers.
To indeed avoid the worst, it is best to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in the Brazilian Butt Lift and treatments such as dermal fillers. The level of understanding from having spent years performing both can go a long way in determining what’s best for you.
Under the guidance of the right plastic surgeon and intensive care, enhancements from tried and tested plastic surgery procedures such as the Brazilian Butt Lift can leave you with satisfying and life-changing results.
