Picture Your Results in 3D
At Crantford Costa Plastic Surgery, we offer the state-of-the-art VECTRA® XT 3D imaging system to capture face, breast, and body images to help simulate your surgical outcomes during your consultation.
Crantford Costa Plastic Surgery
247 Calhoun St.
Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: (843) 722-5904
Monday-Thursday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Skin Clinic hours:
Monday-Thursday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
We have probably all been in an uncomfortable situation where we were uncomfortable with some aspect of our bodies. For many people, that discomfort is routine during hot months where pool parties and beach days are abundant. You can go years feeling inadequate in a bikini or lackluster in form-fitting clothing, but at some point, you may want to take some action to improve your confidence and the appearance of your rear end. It might be time to consider a body contouring surgery called a Brazilian Butt Lift in Charleston, SC, at Crantford Costa Plastic Surgery, where you will be given top-tier results that will change the way you feel about your body.
A Brazilian Butt Lift is a cosmetic surgical procedure that is used to increase the size and improve the shape of your buttocks. It is different from other buttock enhancement methods like implants because it uses fat harvested through liposuction to create those improvements.
By using your body’s own material, there is no chance that it will reject what is being used for the buttock augmentation, which can occur in some cases where implants are used. It also has the additional benefit of sculpting a different area of your body, like the legs or abdomen, through liposuction.
When the fat settles into your derriere, the result is a very natural appearance that avoids the overly done appearance some people are concerned about. According to a report from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, more than 28,076 Brazilian Butt Lift procedures were performed throughout 2019. This is likely because of the quality of results it can provide.
Our society puts a big focus on having an appealing backside. References to attractive butts and the desire to look good in a bathing suit are abundant, and many people often find themselves wishing they could improve their gluteal appearance.
Some of those people can see improvements through exercises that target the buttocks specifically, but those are rare cases. It is much more likely that someone will need a Brazilian Butt Lift to achieve the look they are going for.
Even if you once had the perfect backside, it is still possible for the aging process and weight fluctuations to have an impact on your rear contours. Skin begins to sag, and volume in the area can increase or decrease in problematic areas.
We need Brazilian Butt Lifts because we want to feel confident in our own skin in any social situation and because, frankly, there really are no other reliable options that provide the kind of improvement that this procedure does.
Trust your beauty to the very best Charleston has to offer. Our board-certified plastic surgeons have the skill and experience to elevate your look from head to toe.
Dr. Crantford Dr. Costa Dr. UlmA Brazilian Butt Lift can help if you want to improve:
At Crantford Costa Plastic Surgery, we offer the state-of-the-art VECTRA® XT 3D imaging system to capture face, breast, and body images to help simulate your surgical outcomes during your consultation.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the cost of a Brazilian Butt Lift for the average patient is around $4,277. While this is an excellent general estimate, your specific price will be determined by your unique conditions, the extent of the correction needed, and any combination procedure you are having performed.
The most straightforward prerequisite for being a Brazilian Butt Lift candidate at Crantford | Costa Plastic Surgery is to want to improve the size or shape of your butt. If you fit that category, you are likely going to be a candidate for this procedure.
In general, though, the best candidates are those who:
If you are concerned you are not a candidate for this procedure, the best step to take is to schedule an initial consultation with our office. During that meeting, one of our board-certified surgeons can review your case and conditions to determine if you are a good candidate.
Because we want to create your ideal surgical results, the consultation is a critical part of the process. Your surgeon will walk you through your options and help you make choices that align with your anatomy and goals. This time will also be used to conduct a thorough medical history and address all your concerns and questions.
You will have another preoperative appointment closer to the date of your surgery. At this time, you will sign the consent forms, have photos and measurements taken, and receive detailed instructions for before and after surgery. Please adhere to these instructions closely as they are instrumental in ensuring your safety and comfort.
While every surgery has some form of risk, a Brazilian Butt Lift is performed differently than most procedures, which means there are certain risks posed that are unique only to it. But that does not mean you should rule out a Brazilian Butt Lift as a possibility.
A study published by the Aesthetic Surgery Journal has shown a rapid improvement in the safety of this procedure from 2017 to 2019 when a new technique was recommended to surgeons who were performing Brazilian Butt Lifts. This new technique is now the industry norm, and Brazilian Butt Lifts no longer have the level of risks they once did.
But it is always better to err on the side of caution, and according to the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, there are steps you can take to ensure that your Brazilian Butt Lift is safe, including finding surgeons like Drs. Crantford and Costa who are board-certified and have exhaustive amounts of experience in Brazilian Butt Lift surgery.
Our office will be happy to provide you with before and after photos of successful surgeries that will give you a good idea of what to expect. Experience is key, and we want to share ours with you so that you feel as comfortable as possible.
The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery also highly recommends against seeking out budget procedures. The cost of your surgery is a direct reflection of your surgeon’s skill and experience. While you shouldn’t gamble on any budget surgery, Brazilian Butt Lifts can be particularly dangerous because of the additional risks they include.
Before your procedure, you will be scheduled for an initial consultation with our office. During this consultation, one of our expert surgeons will listen to your aesthetic goals and concerns, review your medical history and conduct a thorough physical examination.
You should keep a list of questions and concerns you have about Brazilian Butt Lift surgery so that you can ask them during this consultation. By addressing all of your problems, you will feel confident as you move forward in your decision-making and give your surgeon a clear idea of what your worries are.
This information allows them to achieve two goals: determine whether a Brazilian Butt Lift will work for your purposes and help them develop a perfectly tailored treatment plan just for you. Since no two bodies are the same, we believe no two surgeries should be either.
Once the consultation has been completed, you will be given a set of preoperative instructions to follow as you get closer to the day of your procedure. By following these instructions as closely as possible, you give yourself the best chance to have a safe and successful procedure.
We always recommend that our patients set up a recovery station before their procedure day. If you are going to be resting in bed, you should keep everything you might need within arm’s reach. Chargers, remotes, tablets, snacks, drinks, medications — anything that will keep you resting.
You should also plan to have a trusted friend or family member accompany you on the day of your surgery since you will not be able to drive yourself home. Having them available for the first day or two after your procedure is also a plus since those will be the most intensive recovery days.
Here are some general tips that most patients are required to follow:
There are four steps to a Brazilian Butt Lift procedure: anesthesia, liposuction, injections and wound closure.
The first step in a Brazilian Butt Lift (or any cosmetic surgery) is the administration of general anesthesia or IV sedation. Both options are available to you, but which one you will use will be determined by you and your surgeon well in advance.
Anesthesia allows you to be comfortable throughout the entire surgery and prevents any sudden movements or motions to cause a problem during the surgical process. Once the anesthesia has taken effect, your surgeon will begin the liposuction process.
Liposuction is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that uses suction and heat to melt away fat in a targeted area. Normally, this procedure is performed by itself to slim the contours and remove stubborn pockets of fat in places like the legs, abdomen and arms.
However, during a Brazilian Butt Lift, the fat that is removed from these areas is harvested and put through a centrifuge, which separates and purifies the fat cells. The fat cells are then loaded into syringes with long cannulas and prepped for injection into the buttocks.
Using a grid pattern, your surgeon will slowly layer the purified fat into your buttocks to create your preferred shape and size. This is where a surgeon’s skill is most easily recognized; cosmetic surgery is often considered part science and art since it requires an artistic eye to imagine and sculpt your desired derriere.
Once a safe and effective amount of fat has been injected into the buttocks, your surgeon will then prepare to close the wounds made for the liposuction and injections. In most cases, these incisions are small enough to heal with simple bandages and no stitches, but this does depend on your body’s unique reaction.
You may also have small drains inserted into the incision locations to help prevent excess fluid build-up (swelling). Once all the incisions are closed and fully dressed, your surgeon will then complete the process and send you off to a different room to begin your first steps of recovery.
It can take a few hours for you to be released from the surgical location since surgeons typically want to keep a close on you immediately after your procedure. You will likely be wrapped in a compression garment to reduce swelling and aid recovery.
Many patients experience minor pain and discomfort, but most of the side effects should be mitigated by prescription medication and residual effects from anesthesia. It is normal to feel pressure in the areas where improvement was made.
Throughout your entire recovery, you will be directed to avoid sitting or lying directly on your butt since it can dislodge the fat cells. Your body will naturally discard many of the inserted cells already, so doing what you can to preserve as many as possible will improve your results.
Taking short walks to get your blood circulating and aids in the recovery process. WebMD considers being sedentary one of the biggest post-surgical mistakes you can make since it can extend your recovery time and pose additional risks like blood clots, pulmonary embolisms and muscle weakening.
During this week, it is important that you keep the compression garments on to reduce fluid retention and avoid putting any pressure on your backside. The first week is a critical time for your recovery, so take any steps you can to ensure it is a successful week.
You will likely still be experiencing mild pain and discomfort during this time. It is OK to take advantage of any pain medication provided as long as it is used according to the instructions you were given.
Throughout these weeks, much of the pain, discomfort and swelling should be subsiding. The new fat cells in your butt have had a chance to settle, so it might be appropriate for you to begin tasks like driving short distances, keeping in mind that the better you are about protecting those new fat cells, the better your results will be.
Continue to avoid strenuous activities and heavy lifting, and make it a point to take short walks to keep your blood flowing to the parts of your body that are recovering.
After meeting with your surgeon, you will likely be cleared for light exercise and longer walks. You should still avoid strenuous activities, but more and more of your regular routines will start to be added in through these weeks.
It is normal to experience some lingering discomfort, but at this point, the vast majority of surgical pain should be gone.
At week six, you will be able to get a good idea of what your final results will be. It is estimated that only 40% of the injected fat will remain, but keep in mind that your surgeon will be aware of this fact and compensate for it during your procedure.
You can expect to experience a long-lasting improvement to the size and shape of your buttocks. As long as you maintain your results by living a healthy lifestyle, you should retain your results for a long period.
Unfortunately, weight fluctuation can impact your results, and it is possible that any fat loss or gain can create additional issues for your appearance. The aging process will also naturally degrade the tissues in all of your skin, including your buttocks, so you may eventually experience some volume loss or sagging skin.
There are many different procedures that Brazilian Butt Lift can be combined with, including breast augmentation, breast lift, breast reduction and a tummy tuck. We often suggest that patients interested in having multiple procedures performed, do so at the same time for a personalized mommy makeover.
There are many benefits, but one of the most impactful is that you will minimize the recovery and downtime you have to endure. It also decreases the overall cost of the surgeries since you will only have to pay for anesthesia and facility fees once.
Drs. Crantford and Costa are highly experienced and educated surgeons who are board-certified by The American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, respectively.
Dr. Costa obtained his D.M.D. degree in 1979 as the First Honor Graduate and a recipient of the Dean’s Award and the prestigious “Golden Hands Award.” Dr. Crantford was the recipient of the Nicholas Georgiade Award for the best resident research project from the North Carolina Society of Plastic Surgery and was recognized as a fellow by the prestigious Hunstad/Kortesis/Bharti Center for Plastic Surgery.
In their hands, you can rest assured that your procedure is being performed by a leader in the field of plastic surgery and someone with extensive experience with Brazilian Butt Lift procedures.
If you are excited to learn more about how a Brazilian Butt Lift in Charleston, SC, can give you beautiful contours, request a consultation using our online form or call (843) 722-5904 for an appointment. We are looking forward to hearing from you..