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How to Make the Right Clothing Choices after Your Butt Lift Surgery

Butt lifts are on the rise and don’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. Celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Beyonce have ushered in the age of round, voluminous rears. From red carpet gowns showing off their serious curves to the trend of what some call the “belfie” (or butt selfie), these women have begun a movement towards embracing the hourglass figure and a gorgeous, full body contour.

However, many women hoping to get the butt of their dreams have trouble using exercise alone to achieve their goals. Even endless side lunges, squats, and hours on the stair climber may fail to provide the round, well-shaped posterior they’d like to have.

A butt lift can provide life-long results in a few hours, and you will love your new curves. According to 2018 American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) plastic surgery statistics, America has seen a 256% increase in butt lifts performed annually since 2000—and numbers continue to rise.

The innovative butt lift procedure, or gluteal augmentation surgery, uses your own fat cells to enhance the shape and size of the buttocks. Women who are hoping for significant results but want to avoid artificial implants (and their associated risks) need look no further than this groundbreaking treatment.

First, Dr. Sajjadian will perform liposuction to remove fat from other areas of the body—often the stomach, thighs, and hips—and then transfer those fat cells to the buttocks. An added benefit of this combined procedure is that it will provide you with a slimmer waistline, for instance, that will only enhance your boosted butt.

Dr. Sajjadian often performs additional liposuction to offer extra lift and contour. This will leave you with youthful, perky buttocks and a sensual body profile.

A butt lift offers an exciting new opportunity to revamp your style and show off your new curves. Once you get your new butt, you’ll have a brand new body to shop for and style. The change of pant sizes can seem daunting to some patients who have grown used to how clothes have fit them in the past, but with time and a little guidance, you’ll have no trouble.

We’re here to help and guide you to remain comfortable and fashionable from the moment you leave surgery to some time down the road, when you are back to the gym, fully healed. Read on to learn about how to shop with confidence and safety.

If you have any other questions or would like personal advice from Dr. Sajjadian or the other expert members of our team, please feel free to call our Newport Beach, CA, office at (949)-515-0550 today.

What to Wear After a Butt Lift

Right After Surgery

After your butt lift, as with other surgical procedures, you will experience some swelling and soreness.

Dr. Sajjadian will send you home wearing a specialized compression garment to support your body as it heals and relieve your swelling. The garment will cover part of your legs and the entire buttocks and works to help your butt maintain a beautiful shape and retain the transferred fat. The garment is certainly not the most fashionable pair of underwear you’ll have seen, but it is critical to wear it all day every day during this initial, short period of time.

As for what to wear on top of your garment while you heal, choose comfy, roomy clothes. As you may be experiencing some soreness during the first few days, wear clothing that makes you feel good. Along with avoiding unnecessary pressure on your buttocks, this is key to keeping your spirits up and maximizing comfort. Sweatpants are favorite among our butt lift patients, as are loose, soft cotton pajama pants or flowing skirts.

You’ll also be advised to avoid sitting directly on your buttocks for at least eight weeks post-op, one of the most important recovery tips to ensure you remain comfortable and heal properly. If you need to sit for any reason, you’ll need to use a donut or inflatable pillow that will allow you to avoid placing pressure on the fat graft (which can affect circulation in the area). Without proper blood flow, some of the transferred fat cells could be destroyed.

Patients are generally advised to sleep on their stomachs or sides. There are some great body pillows available online to make sleep more manageable. When you go to bed, wear whatever makes you most comfortable. A large cotton t-shirt or loose gown work perfectly.

Dr. Sajjadian will instruct you on how long your compression garment is necessary. After the first portion of recovery, you won’t need it for comfort or swelling relief any longer, and you can return to your usual underwear.

Once You Remove the Compression Garment

So you’ve made it through the initial healing period, you have a fuller profile and a major confidence boost. What next? Time to show off your new butt and embrace your body’s new shape with a wardrobe you love. Most patients experience an increase in jeans size (even if the waist stays the same or shrinks) or need to find dresses and skirts that run a bit longer.

Some stores are particularly useful and offer a variety of sizes and styles to fit your body type, Daisy Lane and VICI are two great local options. If you want to do some online shopping, Fashion Nova (especially if you are looking for jeans) and Zulily offer a variety of options for women with full booties.

FAQs

How do You Wear a Compression Garment?

Dr. Sajjadian generally recommends you wear your garment between three and six weeks. During the first few weeks (between two and three), you should wear your garment 24 hours a day. It should only be taken off when you take a shower or for washing. After this period, you will need to continue wearing your compression garment for 12 hours each day, either during the daytime or at night.

To be most effective, your garment should fit snugly but not so tight as to cause a lot of pressure to the buttocks. If you feel any discomfort, inspect your skin and let Dr. Sajjadian know. The garment should feel like a bandage wrap, but should not be so uncomfortable that it prevents you from sleeping.

When Can I Wear Jeans?

Many of our patients wonder when is the best time to start wearing jeans again. Even though at six weeks post butt lift, you should be able to return to most of your regular activity, we recommend waiting a bit longer to return to denim.

As mentioned above, tight-fitting clothing can restrict blood circulation and lead to the loss of some of the fat cells transferred into your butt. So squeezing into your favorite (or brand new) pair of skinny jeans is not recommended.

Ideally, you should wait for about eight weeks before wearing jeans or other skin-hugging clothes. Staying away from skintight clothes increases the survivability of your graft. However, the thing to avoid is tight-fitting pants, not necessarily denim itself. So, if you have a nice and loose-fitting pair of jeans you want to wear after your initial healing process, go for it.

In general, the rule of thumb is you should avoid wearing anything tighter than your compression garment. If you want to make absolutely sure a particular wardrobe piece is okay to wear, don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Sajjadian for personal guidance.

When Will I See the Final Results?

You will see noticeable results immediately after your procedure. You will note a significant increase in size at this time. During the recovery period, your buttocks may change shape and size. This is normal and to be expected, as the variance is a natural part of the healing process.

No matter how diligent you are during recovery, not all of the transferred fat cells will survive. After six weeks, the results will be very close (if not the same) as your end result.

Should I Wait Until After the Recovery Process to Shop for a New Wardrobe?

As we’ve mentioned, you won’t see your final, enduring results until the recovery period is over. Once some of the fat cells reabsorb into the body and a new blood supply forms to support the healthiest transferred fat cells, results are mostly permanent.

As you can expect your body to change during healing and should avoid wearing tight clothing for the first six to eight weeks, we recommend waiting until the entire process is completed before replacing your wardrobe. That being said, the initial recovery period is a great chance to find some new, flowing, comfortable clothing. You can wear these well after the healing process is complete, and with so many styles of maxi-dresses and flowing pants out there—have fun experimenting. Dark, solid colors look amazing with a big booty. Show off your hourglass figure by finding clothing that highlights your waist.

Once you have seen the change to your new shape and size, we strongly encourage shopping for clothing that shows off the butt of your dreams and offers you an even more considerable confidence boost. Pencil skirts, angular shirts, edge-sleeved tops, and heels are all tried and true fashion secrets of big booty celebs like Kim K.

How Should I Sit After Surgery?

Depending on the technique Dr. Sajjadian uses, patients may have different requirements and timelines for sitting after surgery. We will discuss all your personal needs for comfort and ideal healing during your consultation. Once your blood begins to circulate to the healthy fat cells, around six weeks post-op, it’s safe to sit without a cushion. As much as possible, avoid sitting to help your new fat cells get used to their placement. However, sitting is almost inevitable. We understand life happens, and you should be prepared if you find yourself in a situation where you must sit during the recovery process. So, what are the best sitting practices?
  • Minimize your sitting time
  • If you must sit in the critical two to six week post-op period, always use a donut cushion
  • Try sitting for no longer than five minutes at a time (especially during the first two weeks of recovery)
  • Alternate any sitting with standing up and lightly stretching to stimulate blood flow
  • Try out these techniques:
    • The Elevated Butt Sit—sit on the back of your thighs (leaving your buttocks off the ground) by using the butt lift pillow or a cushion placed under your thighs for the elevation.
    • The Backwards Chair Sit—instead of your usual chair sitting position, turn the chair around and place your legs on the sides of the chair back. Leave your buttocks out of the chair seat and rest your arms on the back of the chair to relieve any pressure on the butt.

Any Other Questions? Ask Dr. Sajjadian

Surgically enhancing your body’s contour is a big life change. While your fuller, rounder butt will increase your confidence and have you loving your new curves, learning how to shop and dress your new shape can take time.

We are here to help. Dr. Sajjadian is a triple board-certified plastic surgeon with expertise in every stage of the butt lift procedure and healing process. We have heard it all when it comes to butt lifts—questions about what to wear, how to wear it, and when to try new styles. Whether you are worried about how tight your jeans fit or if it’s time to take the leap, we’ll work with you one-on-one to ensure your comfort and happiness.

If you have any concerns or questions about your particular case or think a butt lift may be right for you, please don’t hesitate to contact our Newport Beach, CA, office here or give us a call at (949)-515-0550.