Buttock lift

Date Updated: 04/07/2026

Overview

A buttock lift is a type of cosmetic surgery to improve the way the buttocks look. You may have it done alone or at the same time as a tummy tuck. Or you may have it done as part of a lower body lift to shape the buttocks, groin, thighs and belly.

In a buttock lift, a surgeon removes extra skin and fat from the buttocks. Then the surgeon repositions the remaining skin for a more toned look.

A buttock lift alone won't add volume to the buttocks. But sometimes you may have a buttock lift combined with an augmentation. An augmentation changes the shape or size of the buttocks with implants or fat taken from other parts of the body.

Why it's done

With age, the skin changes and becomes looser. Sun damage, weight changes and genetic factors also can make it harder for skin to spring back into place after being stretched. These factors can cause the buttocks and other parts of the body to sag.

A buttock lift often is combined with other body shaping procedures. You might choose to get a buttock lift if you:

Have lost a large amount of weight and your skin is loose and sagging. Usually, your weight needs to be stable for at least three months before surgery.
Have a healthy weight but want to improve the look of your lower body.
Have a healthy weight, but you've had fat removed through liposuction and you have loose skin.

Keep in mind that a buttock lift won't change your skin quality but will reduce extra skin and fat.

A buttock lift isn't for everyone. A healthcare professional might advise against a buttock lift if you:

Have a serious condition, such as heart disease or diabetes.
Plan to lose a lot of weight.
Have a body mass index that's greater than 32.
Are a smoker.
Have an unstable mental health condition.

Risks

A buttock lift poses some risks, including:

Fluid buildup under the skin, also called seroma. Drainage tubes left in place after surgery can help lower the risk of seroma. Surgeons also may remove fluid after surgery using a needle and syringe.
Poor wound healing. The surgeon makes cuts in the skin called incisions. These incisions may heal poorly. If this happens, you may need extra wound care for a few weeks after surgery.
Scarring. Incision scars from a buttock lift don't go away. But the surgeon tends to place them in places that aren't easy to see.
Changes in feeling on the skin. In a buttock lift, tissues are moved in ways that may change how the skin feels. You may have less feeling in the area when the skin is touched, or the skin may feel numb. Numbness often goes away in the months after the procedure.

Like any other type of major surgery, a buttock lift has risks. There is a risk of bleeding and infection. Some people may have a bad reaction to the medicine that numbs an area of your body or puts you to sleep, called anesthetic.

If you're having a buttock augmentation at the same time as a buttock lift, discuss the side effects with your surgeon. Using your own fat can have potentially serious side effects, such as infection and even death.

How you prepare

Talk to a plastic surgeon about a buttock lift. During your first visit, the plastic surgeon likely:

Reviews your medical history. Be ready to answer questions about current and past medical conditions. Talk about any medicines you are taking or have taken recently. Let your surgeon know about any surgeries you've had.

If your wish for a buttock lift is related to weight loss, the surgeon likely will ask detailed questions about your weight gain and loss. Be ready to talk about your diet too.
Does a physical exam. To assess your treatment options, the surgeon looks at your buttocks, skin and lower body. The surgeon also might take pictures of your buttocks for your medical record.
Talks about your expectations. Explain why you want a buttock lift and how you hope to look after the procedure. Make sure you're clear about the benefits and risks, including scarring.

Before a buttock lift you also might need to:

Stop smoking. Smoking lessens blood flow in the skin and can slow the healing process. Smoking also raises the risk of complications. If you smoke, stop smoking before surgery and during recovery.
Avoid certain medicines. You likely need to avoid the use of blood thinners, aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements. They can raise the risk of bleeding.
Maintain a stable weight. Ideally, you'll keep a stable weight for at least 6 to 12 months before having a buttock lift. Major weight loss after the procedure can affect your results.
Arrange for help during recovery. Make plans for someone to drive you home after surgery and stay with you as you begin to recover.

What you can expect

Before the procedure

A buttock lift can be done in a hospital or as an outpatient procedure. Medicine is used to numb the body and prevent pain. Sometimes surgeons do the procedure with medicine that numbs an area of your body, called local anesthetic. Or they may use medicine that puts you to sleep, called general anesthesia, during the procedure.

Your healthcare team places a tube into the bladder to collect urine. The team places your legs in devices called sequential compression boots. These prevent blood from clotting during and after surgery.

During the procedure

The plastic surgeon makes a cut, called an incision, along the lower back. The incision may stretch from hip to hip. The surgeon pulls up the extra skin below the cut to lift the buttocks. The surgeon then removes extra skin and fat.

During the procedure your healthcare team may give you a medicine to lower the risk of bacterial infections, called an antibiotic.

The amount of time the procedure takes can vary. It can take up to seven hours if the surgery is combined with other procedures, such as a body lift.

After the procedure

After a buttock lift, the incision area is covered with surgical dressing. One or more drains may be placed under the wound and close to the incision line to drain any excess blood or fluid.

Your healthcare team helps you walk as early as the first day after a buttock lift to help prevent blood clots.

You may feel some pain and soreness around the incisions. Your healthcare team can guide you on taking pain medicine when you go home.

Drains stay in place for many days after surgery. Your healthcare team shows you how to empty and care for the drains.

You might need to keep taking an antibiotic after a buttock lift. You also might need to take a medicine to prevent blood clots after surgery.

After surgery, you begin wearing a supportive garment. You need to keep wearing it for a few weeks. This helps prevent fluid buildup and provides support while you heal.

To lessen scarring, you may use silicone sheeting, scar cream and massage. While scars don't go away, they tend to soften and fade over time.

For the first months after a buttock lift, you need to take care when moving. It's important to raise your activity level slowly. Try to avoid moving in ways that strain your incision line to prevent the wound from reopening. Your healthcare team can help guide your recovery. Follow-up visits give you a chance to have your incisions checked and ask any questions.

Results

By removing extra skin and fat from the buttocks, a buttock lift can make them look more toned.

Buttock lift results often are long lasting. Keeping your weight stable can help you keep your results.