Gluteoplasty – often called a “butt lift” – includes several types of surgeries designed to enhance the shape and appearance of the buttocks. Two of the most common are the Miami Thong Lift and the Butterfly Lift (also known as the Seagull Lift).
Both procedures are designed for people who are bothered by a sagging, flat, or deflated-looking buttock. This is often seen in individuals who have lost a significant amount of weight or have had large-volume silicone removal. When that happens, the buttocks can lose volume and shape, leading to loose, drooping skin. In more severe cases, the lower part of the buttock may hang over the upper thigh – something known as a double butt deformity, or medically, buttock ptosis.
While both the Miami Thong Lift and the Butterfly Lift aim to lift and contour the buttocks, they differ in how they do it and how much reshaping they can achieve. The Miami Thong Lift focuses on removing loose skin and lifting the buttocks into a more youthful, rounded shape. When more extensive reshaping or volume redistribution is needed, the procedure may be extended into a Butterfly Lift for a more dramatic improvement.
The Miami Thong Lift is a specialized procedure that places scars discreetly between the buttocks, where a thong naturally rests. This vertical lift focuses on the middle and lower portions of the buttocks, improving shape and reducing sagging while keeping scars well hidden. Although no volume is added, the technique creates the illusion of added fullness. This is done by using auto-flaps—rotating a patient’s own skin and fat into the upper and central areas of the buttocks—resulting in a fuller, lifted appearance without implants or fat grafting.
The Butterfly Lift offers additional contouring and is divided into two subtypes for more targeted shaping: the Upper Butterfly Lift (also called the Miami Bikini Lift) and the Lower Butterfly Lift. These procedures can be performed alone or in combination, depending on a patient’s anatomy and goals.
The Miami Bikini Lift extends the Miami Thong Lift upward, placing the scar just above the buttocks where a thong waistband typically rests. This allows for a more dramatic lift and is ideal for patients who need significant reshaping. The scar follows the natural curve of the upper buttocks, often described as mimicking the top of a heart.
For patients who have had (or are planning) a tummy tuck or lower body lift, the Miami Bikini Lift scar can be designed to connect seamlessly with those incisions. To support long-lasting results, internal sutures (“threads”) or ADM (acellular dermal matrix) – a biologic mesh that helps suspend and support the tissue over time – can also be used.
The Lower Butterfly Lift focuses on reshaping the lower buttocks and upper thigh area. The scar is placed in the natural crease where the lower buttock meets the top of the leg – called the infragluteal fold. In younger individuals, this fold has a gentle, upward curve toward the center of the buttocks (commonly referred to as the “butt crack”).
However, with age, weight loss, or complications from previous silicone injections, this area can lose definition and become flat or squared off. This is sometimes referred to as the “dirty diaper” appearance.
The Lower Butterfly Lift restores shape by lifting and contouring this lower area. In some cases, it can be done instead of a Miami Thong Lift to improve the lower buttock contour. In others, it’s added to the Miami Thong or Upper Butterfly Lift for more comprehensive reshaping.
For examples of Before & After photos as well as anatomic schematics, please check out our Blog.
A Miami Thong Lift or Butterfly Lift may be performed independently as the sole buttock enhancement procedure. However, it is often combined with other procedures to achieve a high-definition butt lift. By adopting a high-definition buttock lift approach, Dr. Desrosiers gains better control over final buttock height, projection, and width.
Why is a high-definition buttock lift commonly indicated? The Miami Thong Lift and Butterfly Lift inherently reduce buttock size by excising a portion of each buttock to elevate it to a higher position. While these surgical procedures can bring about proportionate features for some patients, other patients may find that their buttocks remain either too wide, too narrow, or too flat.
To address this, Dr. Desrosiers offers custom tailored solutions. For patients with wider buttocks and hips, he employs liposuction to narrow the buttock width and hip circumference, enhancing proportions and contour. Conversely, for those with narrow buttocks, Dr. Desrosiers performs liposuction and strategically injects fat to increase buttock width and/or projection.
In addition, most patients undergoing a buttock lift benefit from 360-degree liposuction to the lower back, love handles, and lower abdomen. By carefully contouring these areas, Dr. Desrosiers enhances the buttock’s visual appeal and creates a more defined silhouette.
For certain patients that prefer to avoid additional liposuction and fat grafting surgeries, our practice offers the latest cutting-edge technology—specifically, alloClae®, Renuva®, or Leneva® fat matrix injections. These products are long-lasting adipose matrix fillers approved by the FDA for sale in the US. These injections are performed in the office without a scalpel or general anesthesia.
This comprehensive approach allows for precise customization, helping each patient to achieve harmonious buttock proportions.
To help ensure the best scar outcome, Dr. Desrosiers employs a meticulous approach. First, understanding each patient’s unique response to sutures is important. During the consultation, Dr. Desrosiers and his staff will seek to understand your medical history, including any prior procedures and experiences with stitch abscesses or rejection, to tailor the surgical approach accordingly. Second, Dr. Desrosiers uses preoperative photos and marks the patient while standing, leaning, and lying down. He refers to these photos intraop and then uses a custom tailor tacking approach aimed at delivering precision. Third, Dr. Desrosiers may utilize slowly dissolving or permanent sutures beneath the skin to prevent scar widening until wound remodeling has transformed weak Type 3 collagen into more robust Type 1 collagen. Fourth, Dr. Desrosiers almost always requires the use of compression garments, not only to alleviate swelling but also to provide support to the tissues, minimizing tension on the scar line. Lastly, our practice offers cutting-edge treatments such as activated collagen gel, advanced silicone scar gel, and laser scar therapy, which have shown remarkable efficacy in promoting seamless scar formation for many patients.
Dr. Desrosiers understands that each patient is unique and requires individualized care. With his expertise and dedication to achieving exceptional results, Dr. Desrosiers is committed to guiding you through your gluteoplasty journey with confidence and support.
To learn more about gluteoplasty or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Desrosiers, please contact us at 305-403-2922 or concierge@ArthurMD.com. Let Dr. Desrosiers help you achieve the body of your dreams with advanced body contouring techniques and personalized care..
