In the age of social media and beauty standards, butts play a huge role in shaping a person’s confidence. With people like the Kardashians becoming role models for beauty, more people want plump and Instagram-worthy buttocks. As a result, augmentation procedures like butt injections and butt implants are growing in popularity, too.
Sadly, many people know of butt injections and other butt lifter procedures but they don’t really know what they are. What’s better: butt implants or injections? Will your buttocks look better if you invest in butt injections?
If you want your own version of Kim Kardashian or Nicki Minaj butt implants, refrain from jumping aboard the butt augmentation train without knowing the facts. So, here’s everything you need to know about butt injections and butt implants.
The Basics of Butt Injections
When it comes to butt injections vs. butt implants, many patients confuse the two treatments. Some patients think that injections are the same as silicone butt implants. In reality, butt injections are different since they use the process of fat transfer.
How Do Butt Injections Work?
Butt injections are a medical procedure where the doctor injects a substance into the butt to make it larger. The only FDA-approved method for butt injections is the Brazilian Butt Lift and other variations of the BBL. This procedure involves the removal of fat from a donor area of the body via liposuction. The fat, once it has been purified, is then transferred to the hips and butt to create a curvy silhouette. Another version of the BBL, known as the SCOOP Lift, uses a centrifuge to remove broken fat cells before they are transferred to your buttocks.
Since the filler used for this butt injection is your fat, the results of BBL can last for several years. In some cases, they can last for decades depending on how well you treat your buttocks.
The recovery time for the Brazilian Butt Lift depends on the amount of fat removed and transferred. Most patients experience discomfort for seven to 10 days. After two to three weeks, you should feel better.
In terms of cost, it depends on the provider performing the surgery. Typically, the cost of a Brazilian Butt Lift can range anywhere from $3,000 to $30,000. If the gap between the prices seems too wide, it’s because some patients prefer quicker and more affordable butt injections from “chop shops,” aka providers that perform these surgeries at lower prices but with less expertise.
To ensure the best results, always work with a cosmetic surgeon with board certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. This certification proves that the surgeon you’re working with has undergone extensive training in reconstructive and plastic surgery.
Beware of Silicone Butt Injections
Some people want to have the coveted Kardashian butt but don’t have $3,000 to spare. As a result, they turn to providers who use volumizing substances for butt injections. Silicone is an infamous ingredient of these affordable yet dangerous “alternatives.” These injections are often injected into the butt and are intended to be cheaper compared to the BBL and other procedures.
Silicone butt injections come at lower fees but they have a higher cost. Not only are they unsafe, they are also illegal in the United States. The fillers used for these injections can travel to other areas of your body, which could lead to fatal side effects. In the worst cases, these illegal injections have caused many deaths.
So, why are silicone and hydrogel butt injections not safe? As mentioned above, these ingredients can travel to other parts of your body, which can cause complications like scarring, disfigurement and infections. In some cases, a patient can suffer from a stroke.
Unlicensed providers also often operate in unsterile environments, which increases the patient’s risk for infections and death.
What happens if you’ve already had the injections? Can you still remove these substances? Sadly, removing them might be more harmful since they can cause scars and the spreading of these ingredients. Instead of increasing your risk for side effects, see your doctor determine the best path moving forward.
The Basics of Butt Implants
On the other side of the butt augmentation conversation, we have butt implants. These are artificial implants (often made of silicone) that are surgically placed in the butt area to create more volume. Silicone butt implants are the best options for people who don’t have enough fat tissue for BBL and still want more definition in their butt.
How Do Butt Implants Work?
With butt implants, the procedure starts with a dose of anesthesia so you won’t feel anything. Once you’ve been given anesthesia, the doctor will make an incision to put in the implants. They can place it between the cheeks, at the bottom or on top of your upper buttocks. The surgeon will place the implant below or into the muscle in both sides of the butt.
Once your doctor is satisfied with the way your implants look, they’ll use surgical tape or sutures to close the cuts. The results will be immediate but expect some swelling in the area.
Like butt injections, recovery can take some time. Most patients experience pain right after getting butt implants. You can manage the pain with some over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication. Your doctor might also recommend surgical drains that you need to empty several times a day.
After the surgery, your doctor will recommend you to wear compression garments. They will also provide you with a detailed aftercare procedure that you must follow until your next post-surgery appointment.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost of butt implants is $5,278. The surgeon’s fee will depend on their experience, the type of procedure and the location of their office. Other costs may include:
- Hospital costs
- Anesthesia fees
- Medical tests
- Post-surgery garments
- Medical tests
- Special pillows needed for recovery
What are the Risks of Butt Implants?
Like with any other plastic surgery, butt implants can come with certain complications such as implant displacement, rupture and migration. You might also be a risk for excessive bleeding, capsular contracture, scarring and infections (although infections after an augmentation procedure can be rare).
Risks can be minimized by working with an experienced plastic surgeon. Choose doctors with certifications.
Which is Better Butt Implants or Injections?
It depends on what you want or need. To determine which procedure is best for you, get in touch with your doctor. They will run you through the pros and cons of each procedure (in terms of risks, results and budget). During the consultation, be honest with your surgeon so you can come up with the most comprehensive and safe butt augmentation plan.
A Kim Kardashian butt is easy to achieve, as long as you work with a trusted doctor. So, here’s to having plumper butts in the future!
