Am I A Good Candidate For A Brazilian Butt Lift?

Every person’s body is just a little different. This makes some people unsure as to whether they are a good candidate for certain cosmetic procedures. At Atlantic Coast Aesthetics, we get a lot of questions concerning whether this procedure or that is the right choice for them. Our Question of the Week comes from our Facebook audience and asks, “I’m 130lbs and 5’2” or 5’3”. Am I a good candidate for a Brazilian butt lift?” The viewer sent pictures, making it much easier for our founder and Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Thomas A. Pane, to assess this particular case.

Dr. Pane says that in this particular case, based on the pictures accompanying the question, he believes that yes, this patient would be a good candidate. The biggest concern is the amount of donor fat available for the fat transfer and how large the patient wants the buttocks to be. Some clinics would rule out a patient based entirely upon the height or weight. However, Dr. Pane observes that he’s seen all shapes and sizes of bodies, leading him to believe that height and weight are at best imperfect benchmarks for determining whether a given procedure is appropriate. Instead, he prefers to see patients in person and evaluate them in a clinical setting before predetermining anything, because each person’s body and build has its own unique points.

The primary issue in this case is that the patient does not want fat harvested from the abdomen for the procedure. Dr. Pane points out that this is problematic largely because the abdominal area tends to be the place with the highest concentration of available donor fat. However, in cases where this is not desirable for whatever reason, it is possible in some cases to harvest adipose tissue from the waist, thighs or upper back instead. This is the point where differing body types and fat distribution makes a major difference. The other factor to consider is how large the patient wants the buttocks to be. If visibly larger buttocks are desired, this will necessarily influence how much fat needs to be available for transfer.

Unfortunately, the only way to really determine whether a given cosmetic procedure is going to achieve the desired results for a specific patient is to evaluate them in person. This allows the surgeon to examine the patient’s overall build, fat distribution throughout the body and drill down into what the patient’s goals and objectives are, as well as developing a treatment plan that takes any special circumstances into account. This may include family and personal medical history, environmental or occupational factors and other considerations that may affect how successful the procedure will be and ameliorate the risk of postoperative complications.

Cosmetic surgery is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor. While some surgeons have preferred criteria for addressing certain modifications or procedures, this approach frequently overlooks patients who would otherwise be excellent candidates. However, the patient should also take the initiative to become as educated and well-informed about the procedures of interest as possible, so that the risks and benefits are clearly understood at least in a general fashion. At ACA, we believe that a properly informed patient is the best possible ally and advocate in pre- and postoperative treatment and care.

Equally important is the skill and knowledge of the surgeon performing the procedures in question. Think of a mechanic who only works on GM and Ford models. This person may be an excellent mechanic, but would be lost if a Ferrari was pulled into the shop. Dr. Thomas Pane is a double board certified surgeon with experience in both cosmetic and general emergency medicine. This combination of demonstrated theoretical and practical knowledge means he has the skill to perform procedures that many cosmetic surgeons would find challenging at best. Seeking out a physician with the highest level of credentials is a crucial step in obtaining the optimal level of care for the patient’s needs.

If you would like to ask Dr. Pane or the ACA staff a question about cosmetic surgery, we welcome the opportunity to discuss your concerns and interests. You may call us at (561) 422-4116, follow us on Facebook or email us at https://acplasticsurg.com. Your question could be the next ACA Question of the Week, answered live by Dr. Pane himself in an upcoming Google Hangout. It’s a great way to learn more about cosmetic surgery options and help others at the same time. Remember, the only bad question is the one you don’t ask!