What is a butt lift?
A butt lift, also called a buttock lift or gluteal lift, is an operation that removes loose skin and some fat from above the buttocks and pulls the remaining skin upwards. It creates a firmer, smoother and higher buttock shape and can reduce dimpling and folds caused by sagging skin.
It is important not to confuse a butt lift with a Brazilian butt lift. A butt lift does not add volume: it tightens and repositions. If you would also like more fullness, your surgeon may suggest combining the lift with fat transfer.
Who is a butt lift suitable for?
Sagging of the buttocks is usually caused by large weight loss, ageing or sun damage, all of which reduce the skin's elasticity. You may be a good candidate if you:
- Have loose skin on the buttocks or upper thighs
- Have a stable weight and do not plan to lose much more
- Have a BMI below about 30
- Are healthy enough for general anaesthesia and have no condition that slows healing
- Do not smoke, or can stop for several weeks around surgery
A butt lift is often performed as part of a lower body lift, or together with a tummy tuck, to treat loose skin around the whole waist.
How the operation is done
Assessment and marking
The day before surgery you have blood tests and an ECG. The surgeon examines you standing, takes photographs and marks the skin to be removed and the line of the scar.
Anaesthesia
The operation is done under general anaesthesia and usually takes 2 to 3 hours.
Removing skin and lifting
An incision is made across the lower back, from one hip to the other. A band of excess skin and fat is removed, and the buttock tissue below is lifted upwards. Liposuction may be used to refine the shape.
Closing
The incision is closed in layers to support the lift. Drains may be placed and you wake up in a compression garment.
Recovery timeline
- Days 1–2
You are helped to walk within hours, which lowers the risk of clots. The area feels tight and sore. You stay in hospital for 4 nights.
- Weeks 1–2
Swelling and bruising gradually reduce. Drains are usually removed in the first few days. Walk a little several times a day but avoid bending forward or stretching.
- Weeks 2–6
Most patients return to desk work after about two weeks. Keep wearing the compression garment and avoid putting strain on the scar.
- Months 2–12
You can return to full exercise from around six weeks. The shape settles and the scar gradually fades.
Aftercare
- Wear the compression garment as instructed, usually for around six weeks
- Avoid bending, stretching and pressure on the buttocks for the first few weeks
- Sit carefully, as your surgeon advises
- Take prescribed medicines and avoid aspirin and ibuprofen unless approved
- Eat a protein-rich diet and drink plenty of water
- Avoid strenuous exercise for six weeks
- Keep the scar out of the sun for the first year
Risks and side effects
Your surgeon explains the risks before you give consent. They include:
- Visible or widened scars
- Poor or delayed wound healing, particularly where the incision is under tension
- Seroma, a collection of fluid under the skin
- Bleeding or haematoma
- Infection
- Numbness or changes in skin sensation
- Asymmetry
- Blood clots and reactions to the anaesthetic
Preparing for surgery
Good preparation makes recovery smoother. In the weeks before you travel:
- Stop smoking and alcohol at least two weeks before surgery
- Stop aspirin, ibuprofen and other blood-thinning medicines for two weeks, after checking with your own doctor
- Pause multivitamins a week before and herbal supplements as advised
- Stop the contraceptive pill about a month beforehand if your surgeon recommends it
- Arrange help at home for the first week after you return
Tell your coordinator about every medicine and supplement you take so the surgeon can confirm what is safe.
Results
You can see a higher, firmer buttock shape soon after surgery, although swelling hides the final result for a few months. Clothes often fit better and the skin looks smoother. Keeping your weight stable helps the result last.
Butt lift in Turkey: your trip
Before you fly
You send photos and your medical and weight history. The surgeon reviews them and you receive a treatment plan. Stop smoking, alcohol and blood-thinning medicines about two weeks before surgery.
In Istanbul
Arrive the day before surgery for tests. VIP transfers, the hospital stay, a translator, medication and meals are included, and a companion can stay with you at no extra cost.
Back home
Your coordinator is available 24/7 on WhatsApp and passes your photos and questions to the surgeon during your recovery.
What the Butt Lift package includes
- VIP transfers from and to Istanbul Airport (IST)
- Fully equipped room in the hospital
- Translation services at the hospital and during follow-up
- Pre-operative testing
- Consultation with your doctors
- Post-operative care and follow-ups for a year
- General anaesthesia
- Special compression garments
- One companion included in the price
- Three meals a day for you and your companion
- Full hospital stay for 4 nights, 5 days
- Aftercare package with a full set of medications to take home
Butt Lift FAQ
What is the difference between a butt lift and a BBL?
A butt lift removes excess skin and tightens the area, so it lifts without adding size. A Brazilian butt lift uses your own fat to add volume and projection. Some patients have both, either together or in stages.
Where is the scar?
The scar runs across the lower back, just above the buttocks, from hip to hip. Surgeons place it so that most underwear and swimwear can cover it.
Can I sit after a butt lift?
Sitting is usually allowed, but with care, because the incision is under tension. Your surgeon will tell you how to sit, often leaning forward or on a cushion, and you should avoid bending deeply for the first few weeks.
Will the result last?
The skin that is removed does not return, so the lift is long-lasting. Weight gain, ageing and pregnancy can still change the shape over time.
Can I combine a butt lift with a tummy tuck?
Yes. Combining them as a lower body lift treats loose skin all the way around the waist. It is a bigger operation with a longer recovery, and your surgeon will discuss whether it suits you.
When can I go back to work?
Most people return to desk work after about two weeks. Avoid physically demanding work and exercise for around six weeks.
How long do I need to stay in Turkey?
Plan for 5 days in Istanbul. Your package includes a full hospital stay of 4 nights, so you recover in a private room with nurses on hand day and night. This includes tests, surgery and a check-up before your flight.
