What Are The Advantages And Disadvantages to Buttock Augmentation By Fat Grafting?

Q: Dr. Eppley, what are the pros and cons of buttock augmentation by fat grafting? I can’t decide between getting an implant or having fat injections done. Fat injections seem better but I read about some bad experiences with them.

A: The pros and cons of buttock augmentation by fat injection grafting are well known and are relatively classic between the effects of one’s own tissues vs. a synthetic implant. The pluses of fat injections in the buttocks are the body contouring benefits of the liposuction harvest, a much easier recovery, few if any complications such as infection or seromas, and a natural augmentation effect. Its negatives are the incredible variability and unpredictability of fat graft retention (may have partial or complete resorption of the fat), a small to moderate buttock augmentation result for most patients, and the potential need for more than one fat grafting session for the best result.