Will A Lower Buttock Lift Work For My Saggy Derriere?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am writing in reference to what I have read in a posting on your site: Case Study: Lower Buttock Lift for the Saggy Derriere from Friday, July 20th, 2012. It seems as if the procedure you perform is one that sutures de-epthelialized dermal flaps to the gluteal fascia, thus redefining the infragluteal  fold. My situation is that I lost about 15 pounds a few years ago, resulting in a saggy buttock. This is also likely age related as I am 45 years old. I am happy enough with my buttock per se, which although small might be redefined by the removal of the offending skin, I’m thinking. If I send you pictures would you be able to tell if this procedure would work for me? Thank you in advance for your time and responses to my question.

A: Pictures of your buttocks will do quite nicely in determining your eligibility for a lower buttock lift. Please send a picture from a full back and side view of your buttocks. You are correct in how a lower buttock lift is performed, de-epithelization of the excess buttock fold skin in a horizontal orientation and then suturing the skin edges down, if possible, to the buttock fascia. All skin sutures are placed in a subcuticular location and are of the barbed dissolveable variety so no suture removal is necessary. The only dressing used is glued on tape. There usually is very little discomfort after this procedure. One just needs to avoid bending over at the waist beyond 90 degrees and strenuous exercise for 3 to 4 weeks after the procedure.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis,Indiana