Buttock Implants in Delafield
Lasting projection where fat alone falls short.
Buttock implants are solid silicone prostheses surgically placed within or on top of the gluteus maximus muscle to enhance buttock shape, size, and projection. This procedure is often considered for patients who lack sufficient body fat for autologous fat grafting (Brazilian butt lift) and desire permanent gluteal augmentation with predictable, long-lasting results.
At a Glance
- A systematic review found the overall complication rate for silicone buttock implants is approximately 21.6%, compared to 9.9% for autologous fat grafting[4]
- Gluteal implants are made of solid silicone elastomer, which differs from gel-filled breast implants and is designed to withstand compressive forces[1]
- Wound dehiscence is the most commonly reported complication following gluteal implant surgery, occurring in approximately 9.6% of cases[3]
Overview
Buttock implants are solid, semi-soft silicone elastomer devices made specifically for the gluteal region. Unlike gel- or saline-filled breast implants, their solid construction is more resistant to rupture and better suited to the compressive forces of sitting and movement.
Implants are typically recommended when there is too little donor fat for gluteal fat grafting. Placement may be intramuscular, within the gluteus maximus; subfascial, beneath the fascia and above the muscle; or submuscular, beneath the muscle. Intramuscular placement is the most commonly used technique.
Choosing between an implant and fat grafting is a question of candidacy rather than preference. With enough donor fat, a graft is generally the better fit because it uses the patient's own tissue and contours the donor area during the same operation. Implants were developed for patients without enough fat. At Consona, these are separate procedures with separate plans.
Buttock implants are considered permanent, although replacement or revision may become necessary over time. Full recovery and tissue integration typically take approximately 3 to 6 months as the gluteal tissues relax and the implants settle into their final position.
What to expect
- Preoperative consultation including physical examination, body measurements, and discussion of your options for implant size, shape, and placement
- Medical clearance and preoperative laboratory testing
- General anesthesia is administered
- An incision of approximately 5 to 8 centimeters is made in the intergluteal crease (between the buttocks)
- A pocket is carefully dissected within or around the gluteus maximus muscle on each side
- The appropriately sized solid silicone implant is inserted into each pocket
- Symmetry and positioning are assessed and adjusted
- The incision is closed in layers with sutures
- Compression garments are applied to reduce swelling and support healing
- You are positioned prone or on the side during initial recovery
How a buttock implants works
- Implant size and shape are selected according to the patient's anatomy and desired outcome. Available sizes and shapes accommodate different body types.
- Through an incision typically placed in the intergluteal crease to minimize visible scarring, a pocket is created within or around the gluteus maximus muscle. Intramuscular, subfascial, or submuscular placement is chosen according to tissue coverage and aesthetic goals.
- The solid silicone implant is inserted into the prepared pocket and positioned symmetrically. The muscle and overlying tissues cover the device and help maintain a natural contour.
- Over the following months, the body forms a capsule of scar tissue around the implant. This capsule helps stabilize its position. Tissue integration and final settling typically take 3 to 6 months.
- Donor fat is assessed before an implant is selected because its availability determines whether an implant or graft is appropriate. Both gluteal fat grafting and implant augmentation are available at Consona, so the examination may lead to either operation there.
When it's recommended
- Patients with insufficient body fat for autologous fat grafting
- Congenital or acquired gluteal asymmetry
- Desire for permanent buttock augmentation with predictable volume
- Patients who have previously undergone fat grafting with inadequate results
- Correction of contour deformities following weight loss or trauma
Is a buttock implants right for you?
Reach out to learn more from Dr. Lucas Boehm.
Recovery & aftercare
- Initial recovery requires 2 to 3 weeks away from work and normal activities
- Sitting is restricted or modified with a special cushion for approximately 2 to 3 weeks following surgery
- You typically wear compression garments for 4 to 6 weeks
- Strenuous exercise and heavy lifting are avoided for 6 to 8 weeks
- Full tissue healing and implant settling may take 3 to 6 months
- Follow-up appointments are scheduled to monitor healing and implant position
Alternatives
- Brazilian butt lift (autologous fat grafting to the buttocks)
- Composite buttock augmentation (implants combined with fat grafting)
- Sculptra injections for modest volume enhancement
- Exercise and strength training for natural gluteal development
Related treatments
Frequently Asked Questions
- Buttock implants are solid silicone prostheses placed within or around the gluteus maximus muscle to increase buttock shape and size. They are designed specifically for the gluteal region and, unlike breast implants, have a solid construction.
- The operation is performed under general anesthesia, so patients do not feel pain during the procedure. Prescribed pain medication is used for postoperative discomfort. Most patients report a significant improvement in comfort within 2 to 3 weeks.
- Buttock implants have an established safety profile when the procedure is performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon, but they carry surgical and implant-related risks. A systematic review found an overall complication rate of approximately 21.6% for silicone buttock implants, compared with 9.9% for autologous fat grafting. Wound dehiscence is the most commonly reported complication, occurring in approximately 9.6% of cases. Careful patient selection and surgical technique can help minimize complications.
- Buttock implants are considered permanent and may last 10 years or more. Some patients require revision or replacement over time because of implant displacement, capsular contracture, or changes in body shape.
- Buttock implants use solid silicone prostheses. A Brazilian butt lift uses the patient's own fat, harvested through liposuction and grafted to the buttocks. Implants are typically preferred when there is not enough donor fat for grafting. The two approaches have different risk profiles and recovery timelines.
- Patients with active infections, bleeding disorders, conditions that affect wound healing, or unrealistic expectations may not be suitable candidates. A thorough consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon can determine candidacy.
- Start with the amount of available donor fat. When there is enough, fat grafting is usually the better fit because it uses your own tissue, moves naturally, and slims and contours the donor area during the same operation. When there is not enough donor fat, which is common among slimmer patients asking about augmentation, an implant can provide projection that fat removal and transfer cannot. Both procedures are available at Consona, and the recommendation follows your anatomy. An implant is a permanent device, not a permanent result, and replacement or revision may be needed over the years. Planning and pricing remain separate for the two operations, keeping the decision tied to candidacy rather than scheduling.
Buttock Implants risks & candidacy
Who should avoid this
- Active infection in the gluteal or sacral region
- Uncontrolled bleeding disorders or anticoagulation therapy
- Body mass index outside the range considered safe for general anesthesia
- Unrealistic expectations regarding surgical outcomes
- History of poor wound healing or keloid formation in the gluteal area
- Pregnancy or planned pregnancy in the near term
- Immunocompromised state or conditions affecting wound healing
Possible risks
- Wound dehiscence (separation of the surgical incision)
- Seroma (fluid accumulation around the implant)
- Infection requiring antibiotic treatment or implant removal
- Capsular contracture (hardening of scar tissue around the implant)
- Implant malposition or displacement
- Asymmetry between the two sides
- Sciatic nerve irritation or transient paresthesias
- Chronic pain or discomfort, particularly when sitting
- Need for revision surgery or implant replacement
- Deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism (general surgical risk)
Your surgeon
Care that respects what makes you, you.
Dr. Lucas Boehm is a Wisconsin native, board-certified, fellowship-trained plastic surgeon and the founder of Consona Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics. His practice is dedicated exclusively to aesthetic surgery of the face, nose, breast, and body, with particular expertise in deep plane facelifts, rhinoplasty, and aesthetic breast surgery. He completed his undergraduate education at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin, and completed his plastic surgery residency there as well. He then pursued an Aesthetic Society-endorsed fellowship in aesthetic surgery under the mentorship of Dr. Bradley Calobrace in Louisville, Kentucky. Known for meticulous attention to detail, he approaches each case with precision and intention. His philosophy emphasizes harmony and balance – enhancing what is already beautiful while ensuring every change feels natural, thoughtful, and uniquely you.
- Board-certified
- Am. Board of Plastic Surgery
- Fellowship-trained
- Aesthetic surgery
- 12+ years
- In practice
Sources & references
This article draws on 5 sources, including peer-reviewed research.
Government & research
- Determining the Safety and Efficacy of Gluteal Augmentation: A Systematic Review of Outcomes and Complications
- Differences in Complication Rates of Gluteoplasty Procedures That Utilize Autologous Fat Grafting, Implants, or Local Flaps
- Complications Following Primary Implant-Based Gluteal Augmentation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Medically reviewed by Dr. Lucas Boehm, MD · Last reviewed: 2026-09-12