Massive weight loss, aging, and genetics can all lead to sagging tissue in the buttock area. Even with strong muscles and a healthy lifestyle, the skin and soft tissues over the buttocks may descend, creating a flat, deflated, or drooping appearance. Clothing can ride up or fall awkwardly, and the lower body may not reflect the effort being put into diet and exercise.
Buttock lift surgery is designed to address this problem directly. Rather than adding volume, a buttock lift removes and tightens excess skin and reshapes the underlying tissue to elevate the buttocks and refine the upper thigh and hip area. The goal is a smoother, more youthful contour that looks better in clothing and aligns more closely with how you feel on the inside.
For the right candidate, a buttock lift can be an important step in completing a post–weight loss or lower body transformation, especially when paired with other body contouring procedures.
Meet Anthony D. Bruno, II, M.D.
Buttock lift surgery often involves large areas of skin and soft tissue, careful planning of incisions, and a detailed understanding of the lower body’s structure. Training and judgment are essential.
Dr. Bruno is double board certified in general surgery and plastic surgery. His path included six years of general surgery residency, successful completion of the general surgery board examination, and three additional years of plastic surgery training at Duke, one of the top plastic surgery programs in the country. Duke accepts only surgeons who have already completed a full general surgery residency.
This combination of general surgery and plastic surgery training is distinctive. Many plastic surgeons do not complete full general surgery board certification before entering plastic surgery. Dr. Bruno brings advanced experience in complex anatomy, wound healing, and body contouring to every buttock lift.
Patients from Northeast PA and beyond often sum up their trust in his care with a simple hashtag #Only Dr. Bruno.
What Is Buttock Lift Surgery?
A buttock lift is a body contouring procedure that:
- Removes excess, sagging skin and soft tissue from the buttock and upper thigh region
- Lifts and tightens the remaining tissue to raise and reshape the buttocks
- Smooths the transition between the lower back, buttocks, and upper thighs
It is different from a Brazilian Butt Lift. A Brazilian Butt Lift focuses on adding volume and shaping the buttocks using fat transfer. A buttock lift focuses on tightening and lifting sagging tissue, often after major weight loss or aging changes. In select cases, the two procedures can be combined, but they address different problems.
Buttock lift surgery can be performed as an isolated procedure or as part of a lower body lift, especially in patients who have lost a significant amount of weight and have loose skin all around the torso and hips.
Who Is a Candidate for Buttock Lift Surgery?
You may be a candidate for a buttock lift if:
- You have loose, sagging skin over the buttocks and upper thighs
- The buttocks appear flat, elongated, or deflated even at a healthy weight
- Clothing tends to gather, roll, or sag in the lower back and buttock area
- You have completed major weight loss and maintained a stable weight for a period of time
- You are in good overall health, do not smoke or are willing to stop, and can safely undergo anesthesia
Ideal candidates for buttock lift surgery view the procedure as the next step in a long-term health and body transformation, not as a shortcut. They understand that scars are a necessary trade-off for removing excess tissue and that recovery requires a real commitment of time and energy.
During consultation, Dr. Bruno evaluates skin quality, fat distribution, overall lower body contour, and medical history to confirm whether a buttock lift is appropriate, or whether a different contouring strategy would better match your goals.
Benefits of Buttock Lift Surgery
Patients who choose a buttock lift often describe benefits such as:
- A higher, firmer buttock contour
- Smoother transitions between the lower back, buttocks, and upper thighs
- Improved fit in pants, skirts, and dresses
- Less folding or chafing of skin in the buttock crease and upper thigh area
- A sense of completion after significant weight loss or lifestyle change
While no surgeon can guarantee a specific emotional result, many individuals feel that elevating and tightening the lower body helps their outer appearance catch up with the work they have done on their health.
More about Buttock Lift Surgery
Before the Procedure: Consultation and Preparation
Comprehensive evaluation
Your buttock lift journey begins with a detailed consultation with Dr. Bruno. This visit is designed to be thorough and unhurried. It typically includes:
- A conversation about what bothers you most in the mirror and in clothing
- Examination of the buttocks, lower back, flanks, and upper thighs
- Assessment of skin laxity, stretch marks, and overall tissue quality
- Review of your weight history, weight-loss journey, and any previous operations
- Review of your medical conditions, medications, and lifestyle factors such as smoking and activity level
Measurements and photographs may be taken to aid planning and document changes over time.
Designing a personalized buttock lift plan
After evaluation, Dr. Bruno designs a surgical plan tailored to your anatomy and goals. This plan may address:
- Whether a buttock lift alone or a more extensive lower body lift is appropriate
- The exact incision pattern and how it will sit under clothing or swimwear
- Whether liposuction will be combined to refine the hips, flanks, or outer thighs
- How much tissue can be safely removed while maintaining balanced contours
- Whether staging will be needed if other areas (such as the abdomen) are also being addressed surgically
The aim is to create a natural, proportional lower body contour that complements the rest of your figure.
Preparing for buttock lift surgery
In the weeks before surgery, preparation helps support safety and recovery. You may be asked to:
- Adjust certain medications or supplements after coordination with your prescribing provider
- Avoid nicotine for a period before and after surgery, as smoking can significantly impair healing
- Maintain stable, healthy eating habits and good hydration
- Arrange time off work and help with household tasks, shopping, and childcare
- Set up a recovery area at home with comfortable seating, extra pillows, and clothing that is easy to get on and off
Preoperative labs, medical clearance, and prescriptions are typically completed in advance so that surgery day is focused and smooth.
During the Procedure: What Happens on Surgery Day
Buttock lift surgery is performed in a certified surgical facility. Most patients go home the same day in the care of a responsible adult; some extensive cases may involve an overnight stay, depending on the overall plan.
Anesthesia and positioning
Most buttock lifts are performed under general anesthesia. This allows careful control of comfort and muscle relaxation throughout the operation. You are positioned in a way that allows access to the buttocks and lower back while letting Dr. Bruno plan how the skin will drape once tightened.
Incisions and tissue removal
Incisions for a buttock lift are typically placed across the upper buttock area, sometimes extending toward the hips or lower back. The location and length depend on how much tissue needs to be removed and whether the procedure is part of a lower body lift.
Through these incisions, Dr. Bruno:
- Removes excess skin and underlying soft tissue
- Mobilizes the remaining tissue
- Elevates and redrapes the buttocks into a more youthful, lifted position
In some cases, liposuction is used in adjacent areas, such as the flanks or outer thighs, to help sculpt the overall shape and provide smoother transitions.
Shaping and closure
After the tissue has been repositioned, the remaining skin is redraped and carefully trimmed to match the new contour. The buttock shape is fine-tuned to create a natural, not over-tightened, appearance.
Incisions are then closed in layers using meticulous technique. Internal sutures help support the new contour and reduce tension on the skin. Drains may be placed temporarily to prevent fluid from collecting in the surgical area. A compression garment is applied at the end of surgery to support the tissues and help control swelling.
After the Procedure: Recovery and Healing
Immediately after surgery
Following buttock lift surgery, you are taken to a recovery area while the anesthesia wears off. You can expect:
- Soreness and tightness in the buttocks and lower back
- Swelling and some bruising in treated areas
- Fatigue that reflects both the procedure and anesthesia
Pain is managed with prescribed medications and other comfort measures. Before leaving, you receive detailed instructions on:
- Caring for incisions and drains, if present
- Wearing and managing your compression garment
- Safe positions for sitting and lying down
- Early walking and movement to support circulation
A responsible adult must drive you home and stay nearby, particularly during the first night.
The first two weeks
The first days and weeks require patience and careful attention to instructions. During this period:
- Swelling and bruising are most noticeable and then gradually begin to improve
- Sitting, standing, and lying down may be limited initially and then slowly become easier
- Short, frequent walks are encouraged to reduce stiffness and lower the risk of blood clots
- The compression garment is worn as directed to support the healing tissues
Most patients plan to take at least two weeks away from nonstrenuous work, depending on job demands and comfort. Those with physically demanding jobs may need more time.
The following weeks and months
As healing continues:
- Swelling steadily decreases, and the new buttock contour becomes more defined
- Bruising fades, and energy levels typically improve
- Incisions gradually transition from pink and raised to flatter and lighter
- Sitting and activity restrictions are slowly relaxed according to your recovery plan
Strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, and high-impact activities are usually restricted for several weeks. Dr. Bruno provides a detailed timeline tailored to your procedure and lifestyle so you know when it is safe to resume your usual activities.
Scars are a permanent part of any buttock lift. Over time, with proper care and sun protection, they tend to soften and fade. Many patients feel that the trade-off is more than worthwhile for the improvement in contour, comfort, and clothing fit.
Long-Term Results and Expectations
Buttock lift surgery is intended to provide long-lasting improvement in the shape and position of the buttocks. The tissues will continue to age, but starting from a more lifted, refined contour often provides many years of benefit.
For the most stable outcome, it is helpful to:
- Maintain a consistent, healthy weight
- Stay active with regular, appropriate exercise
- Protect incision lines from sun exposure
- Follow guidance for long-term skin and scar care
Significant weight fluctuations can affect the quality and position of the tissues over time. If changes occur in the future, options for further contour refinement can be discussed with safety and realistic expectations as priorities.
Why Patients Choose Buttock Lift Surgery in Scranton, PA With Anthony D. Bruno, II, MD
Patients choose buttock lift surgery with Anthony D. Bruno, II, MD because of:
- Double board certification in general surgery and plastic surgery
- Advanced training at Duke and other respected institutions
- Extensive experience in complex body contouring and post–weight loss surgery
- A thoughtful, safety-focused approach to planning, surgery, and recovery
- A first-class experience from consultation through follow-up, grounded in clear communication and individualized care
The guiding philosophy is always Enhancing Your Natural Beauty, not changing who you are. A buttock lift is planned to help your lower body look more supported, balanced, and aligned with the effort you have already invested in your health and appearance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Buttock Lift Surgery
Is a buttock lift the same as a Brazilian Butt Lift?
No. A buttock lift focuses on lifting and tightening sagging skin and soft tissue, often after weight loss or aging changes. It removes excess tissue and reshapes the buttocks for a more elevated contour. A Brazilian Butt Lift, by contrast, uses fat transfer to add volume and projection to the buttocks. In selected patients, elements of both procedures may be combined, but they address different concerns. During consultation, Anthony D. Bruno, II, MD explains which approach or combination best matches your anatomy and goals.
Who is a good candidate for a buttock lift?
Good candidates are typically those with significant sagging or excess skin over the buttocks and upper thighs, often after major weight loss or with age. They are at or near a stable, healthy weight, in good overall health, and non-smokers or willing to stop smoking for a recommended period. Candidates should understand that scars are required to achieve the lift and be comfortable with the trade-off of improved contour for visible but concealable incisions. Dr. Bruno evaluates your situation and discusses whether a buttock lift is the right procedure or if an alternative would be more appropriate.
What is recovery like after buttock lift surgery?
Recovery involves several weeks of progressive healing. Initially, you can expect soreness, tightness, swelling, and bruising in the buttock and lower back area. Sitting and lying down are modified for comfort and to protect the incisions. A compression garment is worn as directed to reduce swelling and support the tissues. Short walks begin early, while strenuous exercise and heavy lifting are restricted for a longer period. Many patients return to nonstrenuous work in about two weeks, depending on the extent of surgery and job demands. Dr. Bruno provides a personalized recovery plan so you know what to expect at each stage.
Will there be visible scars after a buttock lift?
Yes. A buttock lift requires incisions across the upper buttock area, sometimes extending toward the hips or lower back, depending on the amount of tissue that needs to be removed. These incisions leave scars that are usually positioned to be covered by many undergarments and swimwear styles. Over time, scars typically soften and lighten, especially with proper scar care and sun protection. During consultation, Dr. Bruno explains where your specific incisions would likely be placed and what kind of scar evolution you can reasonably expect.
How long do buttock lift results last?
Results from a buttock lift can be long lasting when supported by stable weight, healthy lifestyle habits, and good skin care. The tissues will continue to age naturally, but elevating and tightening the buttocks provides a new baseline from which those changes occur. Significant weight gain or loss after surgery can alter the contour and may reduce the longevity of the result. Anthony D. Bruno, II, MD discusses how your personal health history, weight trends, and future plans could influence long-term outcomes and what you can do to help maintain your results over time.
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