Aesthetic Surgery of the Buttocks: What Do Our Patients Want?

Goals/Purpose:

Aesthetic surgery of the buttocks has become more popular in recent years. The plastic surgeon usually attempts to determine the ideal shape for the patient based on anatomical and cultural knowledge. To date, there have been few articles describing patients' preferences in buttock aesthetic surgery. The goal of this study was to evaluate our patients' preferences in buttock aesthetic surgery in relation to ethnic background, age, educational level and level of familiarity with plastic surgery. Another goal was to determine if their preferences differ from plastic surgeons' preferences.

Methods/Technique:
Three shapes in profile view were defined: low, medium and high antero-posterior projection (Figure 1). Four shapes in frontal view were defined: round, square, A, and V shape (Figure 2). According to these shapes, we simulated 7 black and white tracings (Figure 3) and 7 buttock shape pictures (Figure 4). We conducted a bicentric study in Yale New Haven Hospital, US, and in the University Hospital of Dijon, France. Patients seeking buttock reshaping and plastic surgeons at both centers were included. The survey collected epidemiological data and evaluation of the different buttock shapes. A statistical analysis compared patients' and surgeons' preferences. The patients' preferences were further analyzed to determine any correlation with their level of education, age, ethnic background, and knowledge of plastic surgery.

Results/Complications:

Patients and surgeons both preferred moderate AP projection

Surgeons had a stereotypical shape preference and were fairly consistent:

-Round shape, low or moderate AP projection

Patients' evaluations varied significantly amongst each other. Variation amongst patients correlated with ethnic background:

-Caucasians preferred less fullness laterally and anteroposteriorly.

-African-Americans and Hispanics preferred more fullness laterally and anteroposteriorly.

Age, level of education, and knowledge of plastic surgery did not correlate with patients' preferences.

Conclusion:

This study suggests that plastic surgeons and patients seeking buttock augmentation may have different images in mind regarding what constitutes an attractive, natural, and ideal buttocks shape. It also suggests that patients' preferences are influenced heavily by their ethnic background. These findings have potential implications for patient treatment and satisfaction.