Buttock lift

A buttock lift is a purely aesthetic surgical procedure and is mainly performed after significant weight loss.

Before and After Photos

A buttock lift is a complex procedure that requires thorough planning.

A buttock lift is not a rare procedure in aesthetic surgery, as the appearance of the buttocks holds great cultural significance in most societies.

For a successful correction of flattened or sagging buttocks, the surgeon must be familiar with the aesthetic norms of the gluteal region. The following three criteria are crucial for buttock aesthetics:

even distribution of buttock volume
well-defined V-zone
beautifully shaped diamond space

If a vertical and a horizontal line are drawn through the center of the buttocks, four quadrants are created that, ideally, are approximately equal in size.

Buttock lift: details of the procedure

The gluteus maximus muscle accounts for about 80% of the buttock area and is the most important shape-defining component. Its origin at the iliac crest and the sacrum-coccyx region follows a long, curved course and forms, together with its counterpart, a large “V” — the so-called “V-zone.” The deeper the indentation it creates and the larger its surface area, the more aesthetically pleasing the buttocks appear.

The inner edge of the gluteus maximus runs downward and then curves outward, forming the gluteal fold. Ideally, the gluteal fold divides at two-thirds of its length, extending at a 45° angle downward toward the thigh and, together with the opposite fold, forms a diamond shape referred to in the literature as the “diamond space.”

The buttock lift is a technically refined procedure with little variation in surgical technique. After palpating the origin of the gluteus maximus, the skin is incised and lifted from the muscle fascia. The lifting distance determined before surgery corresponds to the amount of excess skin to be removed.

For a successful buttock lift, tightening alone is not sufficient — proper volume distribution is also essential for an aesthetically pleasing contour. Therefore, it is often necessary to add volume in the upper buttock area to improve the overall shape. This can be achieved through a dermal flap plasty (where the excess skin is folded inward rather than removed), autologous fat transfer, or silicone implants.

Before and After Photos

Some examples of buttock lifts: all images on this website are of patients who were operated on by me. They have not been retouched or altered in any way.

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Your consultation appointment

Would you like to learn more about buttock lift surgery? We are happy to provide you with comprehensive and personal advice. Simply click on the button below and schedule your consultation at any time of the day or night — whenever it suits you best. If you don’t like using a computer, or if no appointment is available in the near future, you are also welcome to call us: Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., 01/5870000 — I look forward to speaking with you.

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Buttock lift – overview

Below is a summary of the necessary steps and preparations associated with a buttock lift.

Initial Consultation

Have you already purchased the book “Tummy Tuck & Body Lift” for 40 euros in our practice or online? Then the initial consultation is included. An initial consultation usually lasts about 30 minutes. Without purchasing the book, the fee is 250.00 euros; for a longer and more detailed initial consultation (no fixed duration), I charge 300.00 euros.

Even if you have already had a buttock lift performed at another practice, are dissatisfied with the result, and would like to seek a second opinion, I am happy to advise you. However, I ask for your understanding that in this case I will charge 300 euros, which will be credited to you in the event of a corrective surgery.

My personal tip for you: Always and fundamentally obtain a second opinion before undergoing a procedure (this is, of course, not included in the book purchase).

Hospital Stay

Inpatient (with overnight stay)

2,500 to 5,500 euros, depending on the duration of the surgery, number of overnight stays, room category (suite, single room, shared room), and hospital.

Anesthesia

The procedure is performed under general anesthesia; therefore, an anesthesiologist must be present during the surgery. The cost for the anesthesiologist varies depending on the duration of the operation, ranging from 800 to 1,800 euros. On average, costs range between 1,000 and 1,400 euros.

Costs

Depending on the duration of the surgery and any accompanying additional procedures, the surgical fee ranges between 4,500 and 6,500 euros. On average, costs amount to around 5,000 euros.

Surgery Preparation

(Blood test, chest X-ray, surgical clearance by an internist)

If you are socially insured in Austria and the procedure is medically indicated, the blood tests and X-ray will not incur any additional costs. The same applies to the surgical clearance by an internist or general practitioner who has a contract with the Austrian social insurance providers. In our medical center, there is an internist who is a private doctor (“Wahlarzt”). For private doctors, the insurance covers approximately 50% to 75% of the costs.

For 14 days before the operation, blood-thinning medications (Aspirin, Marcoumar, Vitamin E, etc.) should be discontinued, as they can delay blood clotting. Alcohol and sleeping pills should also be avoided as much as possible, as they reduce the blood’s ability to clot and thus increase the risk of postoperative bleeding. Smoking should be stopped if possible — nicotine causes blood vessel constriction, which can lead to wound healing problems. Especially in the case of a tummy tuck, it is particularly important to minimize smoking due to the large wound area.

The surgery is performed under general anesthesia. Therefore, you will need the following examinations before the procedure:

Chest X-ray and ECG
Complete blood count including coagulation, blood group, HIV test, and hepatitis A, B, and C
Surgical clearance by a general practitioner or internist

Please note that the examinations must not be older than 10 days at the time of surgery. Please bring the X-ray and all medical reports with you to the surgery appointment.

To ensure smooth admission procedures, you should arrive at the hospital at least 2½ hours before the operation and refrain from eating for six hours prior to surgery. After completing the admission formalities, you will be taken to your room; if desired, you can receive an infusion to help reduce thirst.

For a buttock lift, a hospital stay of between one and three nights should be expected.

Surgery Checklist

Plan the surgery date
Set the surgery date (take vacation/compensatory time off, arrange childcare if necessary, etc.)
Have the preoperative examinations (blood tests, ultrasound, X-ray, ECG, surgical clearance) done at least 2 weeks before the operation
Preoperative consultation on the day before the surgery. The findings are reviewed, final details discussed, and the consent form signed. You will receive a hospital admission form from the assistant, which must be completed and brought to the hospital. Schedule the first follow-up appointment at the practice.
Arrive at the hospital 2.5 hours before the operation – admission formalities. Upon request, a staff member can accompany you and make the waiting time before surgery more pleasant.
Discharge from the hospital usually takes place one to three days after the procedure. Please do not drive yourself — take a taxi or have someone pick you up.
Plan to rest at home and avoid physically demanding activities. In addition, you should avoid sitting for two weeks to prevent unnecessary tension on the suture area around the buttocks.

Follow-up visit (approx. 5–7 days after surgery): dressing change
Follow-up visit (approx. 10 days after surgery): removal of stitches
Follow-up visit (approx. 20 days after surgery)
Follow-up visit (approx. 30 days after surgery)

additional follow-ups after one, two, and six months
final follow-up after one year

Rounds & Follow-up Appointments

Check-ups and follow-up visits are included in the surgical fee!

Faq

Below are the most frequently asked questions associated with the buttock lift procedure.

Which methods of buttock lifting exist?

There is only one main method. A V-shaped skin incision is made along the upper edge of the buttocks, the skin is lifted down to the muscle fascia, and the excess skin is pulled upward and removed.

In addition to the desired lifting effect, a contour correction of the buttocks can also be performed.

Which methods of contour correction exist?

Most often, it is necessary to add volume to the upper buttock area. This can be achieved through dermal flap plasty, autologous fat transplantation, or silicone implants.

Where is the scar located in a buttock lift?

The scar runs in a V-shape, approximately at the level of the iliac crest, extending from the outer sides toward the buttock crease and symmetrically to the opposite side.

How long does the surgical result last?

If there are no major weight fluctuations, the result lasts quite a long time. However, gravity can cause the buttocks to sag again over time, so the procedure may need to be repeated after several years.

Is the procedure covered by health insurance?

A buttock lift is a purely aesthetic procedure and is therefore never covered by health insurance.

Is a buttock lift performed under general anesthesia?

Yes. A procedure of this extent must definitely be performed under general anesthesia.

How many nights of hospital stay should be expected?

In general, a hospital stay of two to three nights should be expected.

What complications can occur?

The most common medical complications, due to the large wound area, are postoperative bleeding, infections, and wound-healing problems. Result-related complications may include asymmetric scars or tearing of the internal anchoring sutures. With careful surgical technique, medical complications are very rare; the likelihood of aesthetic complications depends more on the surgeon’s experience.

How soon can one resume normal activities after a buttock lift?

After about 10 days. At home, during the recovery period, the sitting position should be strictly avoided for at least 14 days to prevent additional tension on the scar. You should lie on your stomach or side.