Questions about Gluteoplasty/Buttock implants:

When do I return to work, and when will I feel normal?

The recuperation period used to be three to four weeks; however, with the latest advancements in gluteoplasty, the recuperation period has been greatly improved. Dr. Mendieta uses a combination of ice packs for the first 48 hours, recommends special stretching exercises, and provides instructions regarding certain medicines that are given during and after surgery. Although it will take one month before you feel completely normal again, you might return to work in just two weeks.

Do I need to wear any special garments after my surgery?

You will receive prescriptions for pain, antibiotics, and for muscle spasms. After the surgery, you will be asked to put ice packs or frozen peas on the buttock area for the next 48 hours, as well as start on your stretching exercises. Dr. Mendieta will place an abdominal binder around your buttock for pressure control and you will use this for about one week. Dr. Mendieta combines liposuction with many of his gluteal augmentations, which is what really accentuates the nice buttock contour; and if you do have HYPERLINK "http://www.liposuction-tummy-tucks.com/liposuction-miami.asp" \o "Liposuction Miami" liposuction, then you will also be asked to wear a body garment for about three to four weeks.

When can I go back to the gym?

Returning to your routine exercise program will depend on how well you recuperate. On the average, most patients are back at the gym in one month. There have been patients, however, that are able to return after only three weeks. You will need to start off slowly and gradually increase your activities; your body will let you know your limitations. Expect to be sore the next morning and always remember your stretching exercises that Dr. Mendieta provides you.

How do the stretching exercises help? Won't this create more pain and discomfort?

One of the biggest improvements in the recuperation period has been the addition of the stretching exercises. You will be able to understand this concept through an example below:

You are someone who enjoys working out, but you have not been able to exercise in a long time. When you finally return to the gym, the following day you find yourself to be sore and in pain. Well, what happens if the following day you decide not to return because you feel too much discomfort? Exactly. You will feel even more discomfort and the soreness will persist and get worse as the week progresses. However, what happens if you decided that even though you are sore you have made the commitment to return to the gym no matter what? Well, when you first start your exercise you are very sore, but as the work out progresses the muscle loosens up and the discomfort improves and almost goes away. It is the same principal with the gluteal augmentation, the quicker you stretch, the quicker the muscle will relax and not go into spasm, tremendously improving your recuperation period. All of our patients are encouraged to stretch immediately after surgery performing the exercise five times a day with a repetition of five times.

When can I sit?

The patient can sit down starting the first day after surgery for any of the bodily necessities; however, we suggest waiting about one week for prolonged periods of sitting time (i.e., watching television, doing computer work). This takes the stress off of the suture line and allows for better wound healing. We recommend our patients to lie on their stomachs during leisure time and to sleep on their stomachs for one week. You will be wearing a garment for at least two to three weeks.

Will I be sitting on the implants?

This is also a very common question and the answer is - No. Please perform the following test with me: You are currently sitting, so please take your hand and place it on the bottom part of you buttock, the part that you are sitting on. You will notice that this area is bony and it is called the ischial tuberosity. Well, keep your hand on this area and stand up. When you stand, you will notice that your hand is way down there and nowhere near your actual buttock. The implant is placed under the muscle and is way above this area so you are never sitting on the implant.

Won't the implant rupture when I sit?

This is a very common question. Unlike the silicone breast implants, which are made of a silicone gel, in which the implant can leak, rupture, and ooze into the tissues, the buttock implant is made out of solid silicone – it cannot rupture or leak. This is the beauty of this implant, even though it is solid, the feel of the implant is soft.

When someone touches your newly enhanced buttocks, it will have a natural feel to it. It will feel firm, like you have worked out vigorously for many years.

Are there any health issues associated with silicone?

There have been many studies made on the safety of silicone, but to this date, there is no evidence linking silicone to any autoimmune diseases or causing any medical problems. Most of the studies have been done on breast implants, the liquid silicone type. The solid silicone form has been used for years without any problems. For further review of silicone studies, please click here.

What are the complications of the procedure? What do I do if a complication develops?

Like any surgical procedures, complications are rare, but still exist. They are as such:

1. Hematoma (a collection of blood surrounding the implants) – If bleeding does occur, this will require exploration of the wound along with drainage of the hematoma and control of any bleeding if it is still present.

2. Infection – If the implant becomes infected, it will need to be removed, and you will have to take antibiotics that are specific to your particular infection. The implant can then be reinserted in about three months as long as the infection is cleared.

3. Capsular contracture (hardening of the implant from excessive scarring) – This is extremely rare with buttock augmentation; this problem is seen more often with breast augmentation. In the buttocks area, because the implant is placed under the muscle and it is an area that is in constant motion, the capsule usually remains soft. However, if this were to occur, then one may try certain medicines like papaverine, Vitamin E, and indomethacin along with ultrasound therapy to try and soften the capsule. Sometimes this form of therapy does not work and it may mean re-operating and even perhaps having to remove the implants.

4. Nerve damage or sensation changes in the leg - The specific nerve that we would be concerned about is the sciatic nerve. If nerve damage or sensation changes in the leg developed, then you may feel some pain, discomfort or electrical type of shock that radiates down the leg. This is extremely rare since the implant is placed higher than where the nerve is located. If this occurs, then we would try conservative therapy first to let the swelling and wound healing process take place. We could also add ultrasound therapy along with medical therapy, such as neurontin, Vitamin B6, and B12. However, if the problem persists, then the implant may need to be removed. As we stated, this is a very rare problem; however, what is more common is that one may experience some temporary skin sensation changes, either numbness or sweating of the buttock area along with temperature changes in the buttock area – the sensation of feeling cool or warm. This typically resolves over a one to three-month period, and it is usually from swelling. We could also add ultrasound therapy along with medical therapy, such as neurontin, Vitamin B6, and B12 as treatment. These will sometimes help, but be sure to consult with Dr. Mendieta first.

5. Displacement of the implant - In this scenario, the implant moves too far down the buttock area or to far to the side. The reason why is because the implant dissects down the tissues and creates a bigger implant pocket. The correction would require either internal suturing or making a new capsule that Dr. Mendieta could use for the implant, which may be placed back after three months.

6. Wound healing problems or wound dehiscence - The wound may open up, requiring dressing changes until it heals. The area in which the incision is placed, which is right down the center of the sacrum, has tension and is in an area that is difficult to keep clean. Therefore, in some patients, minor wound problems develop, like the wound opens or has persistent drainage. This problem usually resolves on its own and it just a matter of letting time heal the wound.

7. Prolonged fluid drainage from the incision site - This is usually localized fluid that surrounds the incision site, not the implant. Many times it may require that the wound needs to be explored to determine that it is not a more severe infection. Often, it is a suture that has become infected and needs to be removed. The solution may be to either remove the suture or require that the wound be left open and allow it to heal on its own over time with the aid of dressing changes.

8. Fluid collection around the implant - This is most likely a seroma, which is a clear sterile fluid that the body produces as a reaction to a foreign object – the implant. This can easily be drained with a needle. It is a benign problem that usually resolves on its own and may not require drainage. Very rarely will it require more aggressive therapy like drainage, re-operation, or sclerosis. However, it is important to distinguish this fluid from an infection. An infection is very different and will require the removal of the implant.

9. Bad scarring - This is hardly ever a problem because of the location of the
scar. It is in the middle of the sacrum and is very inconspicuous, so it is hard to see. Even if you do get a bad scar, it will be hard for anyone to notice. The scar, however, can itch.

10. Asymmetry (one side of the buttock looks different than the other side) - This really is not even a complication because it is part of our normal anatomy to have one side of the body different than the other. However, when we perform the augmentation, you may become more aware of the differences. If you look at your photos before surgery, you will see that the differences already existed before.