A new ‘internal Spanx’ buttock procedure is promising patients long lasting results to redefine their derrieres.
Lifting the Buttocks from the Inside Out with Mesh
This new procedure has been pioneered by Dr. Ricardo Ribeiro, the man behind the Brazilian Butt Lift procedure. Ribeiro lives in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, and designed this new ‘internal Spanx’ procedure to combine plastic surgery and internal shapewear.
The Brazilian Butt Lift uses a patient’s own fat to lift and reshape their buttocks. The patient’s fat is collected through liposuction and then reintroduced into the patient’s backside. The procedure involves minimal incisions and is often done under local anesthesia.
This new buttock surgery involves the insertion of a specialized elastic mesh into the buttocks. This specialized mesh is intended to reshape, lift and smooth the backside from the inside out.
Benefits of the Mesh Buttocks Lift
The mesh, made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), does not breakdown in the body and is purported to yield results that last for the rest of the patient’s natural life. PTFE mesh is often used in surgical procedures, like hernia corrections and bladder sling surgeries, because of its durability and its ability to resist bacterial infections. PTFEs have many other kinds of applications, with the most well-known PTFE being Teflon, a nonstick coating used for cookware, ammunition and bulletproof vests.
During the procedure, the PTFE mesh is woven across the buttocks, under the skin, to create a web-like pattern. This web lifts the bottom and prevents it from future sagging. The mesh is then secured to a bone in the lower back.
Once placed, the mesh is permanent and will last forever without maintenance.
PTFE mesh has also been used for breast augmentation procedures to give the breasts a permanent lift.
The mesh buttocks procedure has only been performed in Brazil and Portugal, and has been performed on about 100 patients. Ribeiro expects the mesh buttock procedure to gain in popularity and go global over time.
Buttock Lifts Proving Popular
Plastic surgery procedures for the buttocks are popular around the world and in the United States. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports that buttock procedures, were up a combined 33 percent in 2016 over 2015.
Popular buttock procedures include the Brazilian Butt Lift and buttock implant surgery.
“Women often choose to have buttock enhancement or augmentation surgery after a major event, like significant weight loss or after having children,” Dr. Jack Peterson, M.D., said.
Peterson is a Topeka, Kansas, plastic surgeon who performs the Brazilian Butt Lift procedure.
“Weight loss can cause drooping of the buttocks, which can make many women feel self-conscious about their appearance,” Peterson said.
Pop culture can also contribute to feelings of self-consciousness, as many celebrities have become renowned for their large or perky backsides.
The buttocks can change because of aging, too. Many women experience physiological changes to their physique because of the hormonal changes brought on by menopause.
“Menopause can cause thickening in the buttocks and thighs, which changes the shape and appearance of the buttocks,” Peterson said.
Fat Transfer Buttock Lifts, Other Procedures Gaining in Popularity
While buttock procedures have gained popularity, many patients are shying away from surgical options in favor of minimally invasive interventions, like fat transfer, that provide maximum results.
“Patients are choosing procedures like the Brazilian Butt Lift because they get the look they want, but without the downtime of surgery,” Peterson said.
Another benefit of the Brazilian Butt Lift is that because it uses the patient’s own fat, there is no risk of adverse reaction or infection.
“Allergic or adverse reactions can compromise results, and infection can pose a serious health risk,” Peterson said.
With mesh procedures, the body can reject the mesh, causing complications and negatively impacting results. Fat transfer procedures are gaining in popularity because of their quick recovery times, reduced risk of complications and minimal scarring. The procedures are up in the United States 13 percent overall since 2015.
Sources:
Daily Mail. The ‘Spanx’ you wear under the skin: Plastic surgeons offer new procedure which sculpts your bottom. Daily Mail. 10 October 2016.
American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Plastic Surgery Statistics 2016.
