Removal of gluteal implants with reconstruction and secondary BBL
The gluteal implants They can provide stable projection in well-selected patients, but when placed too superficially or without sufficient tissue coverage, comfort and aesthetics can worsen over time. Visible edges, palpable implants, unnatural firmness, and discomfort when sitting or lying down are some of the most common reasons why a patient begins to consider having them removed.
This case teaches us something important: Removing buttock implants does not necessarily mean losing shapeWhen extraction is combined with own fat, an BBL secondary With proper planning and structural improvement of the waist, the result can look and feel better than with the original implants.
Key idea: A well-executed removal should not be understood as a "reductive" surgery, but rather as a reconstructive surgeryThe goal is not to reduce the size of your buttocks. It's to create a more natural, comfortable, and better-proportioned look.
If you want more context about this type of surgery, you can expand on our page about Brazilian Butt Lift, the approach of Supercharged BBLthe article about BBL with or without implants and also with the guidance of Use of implants in the Supercharged BBL.
Why some patients want to have them removed
One of the biggest misconceptions in these cases is that removing buttock implants is simply surgery to "get rid of something that's bothering you." In reality, the problem is usually much more complex.
When the implant has been placed too superficially or the tissue covering it is scarce, signs begin to appear that affect both aesthetics and daily life: the edge is noticeable, the touch becomes harder, the shape looks less natural, and normal activities such as sitting or lying on your back can be uncomfortable.
In that context, the patient doesn't usually want less buttocks. What she wants is stop feeling it's artificialto regain comfort and return to a softer, more organic shape. If you'd like to see when it might be preferable to avoid implants from the start, you might also be interested in this. When is it not advisable to use buttock implants?.
What was happening in this case?
The patient had previously undergone buttock augmentation surgery with implants at another clinic. Over time, these implants had become increasingly visible and palpable. There was insufficient biological coverage and the implants were positioned too superficially, so the buttocks felt firmer than desired and were becoming increasingly uncomfortable.
The problem here wasn't just removing the implant. The real challenge was avoiding what often worries many patients after explantation: losing volume, experiencing sagging, or developing a distorted contour.
Decisive point: When the extraction is planned correctly, the goal is not just to eliminate the discomfort. It's to rebuild the tissue and prevent the patient from simply exchanging one problem for another.
How it was resolved
The surgical strategy was designed in three parts:
- complete withdrawal of the gluteal implantstaking good care of the previous pocket
- reconstruction with autologous fat through BBL secondary
- rib remodeling to better define the waist and enhance the relative projection of the buttocks
After removing the implants, the pocket was carefully closed and the fat was used not to "add a lot of volume," but to recreate tissue thickness, improve the feel, smooth irregularities and restore a more biological coverage.
The fat here doesn't act as a simple filler. It acts as a living tissue reconstruction. And the rib remodeling It helped to visually narrow the waist so that the buttocks looked more proportionate without overloading them.
Surgical principle: In a review like this, the goal is not to replace an implant with "more volume," but to replace a rigid structure with a softer, more natural, and better-integrated environment.
If you'd like to see another example of a hybrid approach, you might also be interested in This complete case of Supercharged BBLthe article about hybrid buttock augmentation after weight loss and the section of before and after.
How it looked afterwards
In the postoperative period, the patient showed a marked improvement in her silhouette. Her buttocks appeared smoother, more natural, and much more comfortable, maintaining volume despite the complete removal of the implants. The palpability disappeared, the foreign material was no longer noticeable, and her waist appeared significantly more defined.
This case demonstrates that, in suitable patients, removing implants can clearly improve overall aesthetics when combined with fat grafting and improvement of body proportions.
Do you find the implants hard, visible, or uncomfortable?
In some cases, removing buttock implants doesn't mean losing shape, but rather regaining comfort and achieving a more natural result with your own fat and improved body proportions. A proper assessment makes all the difference.
When does it make sense to remove them?
Buttock implant removal usually makes sense when the main problem is no longer a lack of projection, but rather the discomfort, artificiality, or poor integration of the implant.
This is especially common when the implant is too superficial, when there is little tissue coverage, or when the patient feels that the result does not age well over time.
In these cases, the correct question is not just “should I take them off?”, but "How do I properly reconstruct my buttocks afterward?".
Most common problems
Patients seeking to have their implants removed often present with one or more of the following situations:
- visible implants under the skin
- palpable edges
- excessive hardness
- unnatural shape
- asymmetry
- progressive discomfort over the years
Often the problem isn't wanting a bigger butt. The problem is having used a... rigid solution in a body that needed a more biological solution.
Correct reading of the problem: The idea of projection doesn't always fail. Sometimes the tool chosen to achieve it fails.
Why simply removing them is not enough
Removing implants without further action can lead to several secondary problems:
- flaccidity
- gluteal flattening
- irregularities due to the previous pocket
- aesthetic dissatisfaction even if the discomfort disappears
Therefore, isolated explantation is usually not the best strategy. The most sensible approach is to consider reconstruction with the patient's own fat, which provides better support for the skin and prevents secondary deformity. This also ties in with the logic of BBL with or without implantsIt's not about defending one technique over another, but about choosing the one that best fits the anatomy and the real problem.
Why fat helps so much
La autologous fat It is especially useful in revisions because it provides something that a rigid implant cannot: living tissue.
When grafted successfully, it can:
- soften the texture
- restore tissue thickness
- improve the quality of the contour
- to make the buttocks feel more natural
In these cases, the goal is not extreme volume. The aim is a comfortable, stable, and aesthetically pleasing reconstruction. That is precisely why the BBL secondary It has so much value when it is done with good judgment.
What does rib remodeling offer?
La rib remodeling It offers something very powerful in this type of review: it improves the proportion without needing to force more gluteal volume.
By visually narrowing the upper waist, the relative projection of the buttocks increases. This allows a moderate volume to be much more pronounced, which is especially useful when you don't want to overload the area with too much fat.
The combination of:
- implant removal
- well-distributed autologous fat
- narrower waist
It can produce a very powerful visual change. If you're interested in this approach, you can learn more with rib remodeling for body feminization, MTF body feminization y Supercharged Feminization.
Who is usually a good candidate
This strategy tends to be a particularly good fit for:
- patients with visible or uncomfortable implants
- patients who prioritize softness and a natural feel
- patients with sufficient donor fat
- patients who do not want to have implants again
- patients seeking a more biological and proportionate review
However, if the expectation is for an extreme size without respecting anatomical limits, a very honest conversation is necessary. In gluteal augmentation, the key is to align expectations with the actual biology of the tissue.
Security and stability
Revision surgery requires more planning than primary surgery. Combining explantation, fat grafting, and rib remodeling requires careful consideration of tissue capacity, surgical timing, and recovery.
When done correctly, this approach can offer stable results, high satisfaction, and a significant improvement not only aesthetically, but also in comfort and quality of life.
Security message: In a revision, the priority is not to replace one volume with another. It is to reconstruct a more biological, more stable, and more comfortable result in the long term.
Conclusion
Failed or uncomfortable buttock implants don't mean you have to accept a poor result. When fat grafting is combined with autologous fat and a smart body proportioning strategy, it's possible to restore smoothness, maintain volume, and significantly improve your silhouette.
This case perfectly summarizes an important idea: in revision gluteal surgery, sometimes Less rigid structure and more biological tissue That's exactly what delivers a better result.
If you want to learn more, you might also be interested in Buttock implants: safety, technique and results y When is it not advisable to use buttock implants?.
FAQ
Does removing buttock implants always leave the buttocks empty or sagging?
Not necessarily. If the extraction is combined with well-planned fat transfer and structural support of the body contour, it is possible to maintain volume and avoid significant aesthetic loss.
Why can buttock implants become visible or palpable over time?
Because if they are placed too superficially or with little tissue coverage, the edge of the implant can become more evident over time and generate an unnatural feeling to the touch or even functional discomfort.
Can fat really replace buttock implants?
In many cases, yes, especially if the goal is to restore smoothness, tissue thickness, and maintain a moderate, natural projection. Fat acts as a biological, non-rigid solution.
What does rib remodeling contribute to this type of review?
It narrows the waist and increases the relative projection of the buttocks without forcing more volume. This greatly improves the waist-to-hip ratio and visually enhances the reconstructed result.
Who is a good candidate for this strategy?
Patients with uncomfortable or visible buttock implants, patients who want a more natural feel, patients with enough donor fat, and patients looking for a revision solution without using implants again.
Can the implants be removed and nothing replaced?
Yes, it's possible, but in many cases it results in volume loss, sagging, or contour distortion. That's why reconstruction using the patient's own fat is often considered.
What happens to the skin after implants are removed?
It depends on skin quality, the length of time the implants were in place, and the initial volume. If the reconstruction isn't done properly, the area may appear emptier or lack support.
Do you always need a lot of fat to rebuild?
Not always a lot, but enough to provide biological support and improve contour. The strategy depends on your anatomy, the amount of fat available, and the ultimate goal.
Do you want a personalized assessment?
Every patient is different. At Cirumed Clinic Marbella, Dr. Aslani's team will study your case individually to explain which options are safe, realistic, and suitable for your anatomy.
You can send us your goals and some photos via video consultation. We'll guide you through the procedure, recovery, and the most suitable plan for you.
