Saggy Buttocks: Causes, Symptoms & Treatments

As we age or go through certain life events our bodies inevitably experience change. Unfortunately, this change is often negative and leads to people trying to find a remedy.

A saggy buttock or thighs can affect anyone, but it is more common in women. This is because there is naturally more fat stored in the buttocks, hips and thighs of women as compared with men.

Saggy buttocks may cause women to lose their self-confidence. A sagging buttock isn’t something that women have to put up with, though, many steps can be taken to prevent a saggy behind. There are many options, such as saggy buttock surgery, as well as non-surgical alternatives to consider. If a sagging buttock or thigh area is something causing you concern then we’re going to share all that you need to know about this condition in this article.

Cosmetic Surgery

Buttock Lift

A buttock lift helps to lift, tighten, and reduce loose skin on the buttocks and upper thighs.

What causes sagging buttocks?

A sagging buttock can be caused by a variety of factors. Generally, these are linked to the gluteal muscles which are the largest muscles in your behind. These muscles are strong which adds to the firm and taut appearance of the buttocks. Saggy buttocks occur due to:

Ageing: As we age, the gluteal muscles naturally lose some of their strength and tone. This means that the buttocks and thighs begin to lose the firm appearance that they previously had.

Lack of exercise/poor diet: A lifestyle that sees little exercise and perhaps poor diet choices can add to sagging buttocks. Exercise can help to tone the gluteal muscles and burn calories. When this is lacking, excess fat cells sit between the gluteal muscles and skin. This can lead to skin stretching. The look of excess skin can make the buttocks appear as though they are sagging.

Sitting still for prolonged periods of time: There are some jobs where sitting still is unavoidable. Unfortunately, jobs that keep you in a sitting position may make a sagging buttock worse. This is because it causes excess fat cells to build up around the buttocks causing them to sag.

Dramatic weight loss: Losing a significant amount of weight can add to a saggy buttock. Excess fat cells cause the skin to stretch. When we lose weight, the skin should go back to how it was previously. As we age, skin loses its elasticity and instead does not return to how it was. This gives the appearance of excess skin that adds to saggy buttocks.

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What are the surgical options to treat saggy buttocks?

It is common for women to explore the option of saggy buttock surgery. Known as a buttock lift, this surgery takes place under general anaesthetic and takes between one and two hours to complete. The reason that women opt for saggy buttock surgery is that the results can be outstanding. Often any saggy buttock issues can knock people’s confidence and stop them from wearing certain clothing, especially swimwear. A buttock lift can change all of this.

The results of saggy buttock surgery include:

A behind that have been lifted and reshaped
Buttocks with a reduced volume
A more shapely and firmer appearance
The removal of excess fat and skin
Skin being repositioned to add to tone and contouring

By booking a consultation with a specialist you can find out exactly what a buttock lift could do for you. A surgeon can assess your needs and ensure that the surgery is the right course of action to meet your expectations.

Are there any other surgeries that may be beneficial?

While treating saggy buttocks, for many women it makes sense to also remedy other issues that they have around the lower part of the body. This can lead to an overall improved body image and one that boosts confidence. Surgeries that can complement a buttock lift include:

Thigh lift

A thigh lift targets loose and sagging skin around the thighs. This procedure leads to skin that feels smoother and has a firmer appearance. This successfully addresses loose skin around the thighs and hips, which in turn can alter the comparative appearance of your buttocks. This is a good option if your surgeon advises you that the perceived area of concern is not where you would yield your desired results.

Liposuction

Lipo perfectly complements saggy buttock surgery as well as thigh lifts. It sees the removal of excess fat and can lead to areas of the body looking more toned and contoured. If your concern is excess fat rather than loose skin, then body liposuction would be more effective in the first instance. However, this isn't to say that a combination of this and a thigh or buttock lift wouldn't be advisable.

Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL)

A brazilian butt lift combines the 'lift' of a traditional butt lift with adding volume, shape, and contour by utilising your own body's fat tissue. If you're concerned that the appearance of your sagging buttocks is because it feels flat or without definition, then a BBL might be the right fit for you. This procedure became particularly popular because it does not use artificial implants - fat is taken from other parts of your body - but despite this it is still vitally important to talk through with a surgeon.

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“I was treated with care and provided with thorough knowledge about the procedure I was undertaking. My surgeon was very methodical (a perfectionist) and I felt I received A class treatment."

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Emma Grant

"The treatment was for my daughter and the aesthetic practitioner couldn't have been more helpful and informative all through the course of treatment, it was a great treatment with a brilliant outcome. The whole experience was very professional and any worries we went in with were soon taken away after the team greeted us and treated us."

Jessica Yates

"Reception staff very welcoming and efficient. Both nurses who I dealt with were fantastic, and the whole team (anaesthetist, surgeon etc) were friendly but professional, and really put my mind at ease. That I was able to stay later than I perhaps needed after my surgery to fit in with my husbands schedule was greatly appreciated."

Emma Davies

Non-surgical options for saggy buttocks

For those who feel that they are not ready for saggy buttock surgery, there are a couple of non-surgical options to consider. Both of these involve being injected around the buttocks and can provide long-lasting results.

The options to consider are:

Sculptra: This is an injection that stimulates the production of collagen. It is a popular facial treatment but can also be beneficial to the appearance of the buttocks. The production of collagen can lead to the buttocks having a more contoured appearance along with added volume.

Fillers: Dermal fillers are another injectable solution. The active ingredient in this is hyaluronic acid which is a natural substance found in our bodies. Fillers can help fill out hollows and give a smoother and more toned appearance.

Are diet and lifestyle linked to saggy buttocks?

Given that a saggy buttock has a major association with weak gluteal muscles, there is a clear link between lifestyle and sagging buttocks. Of course, ageing and some genetic factors will also play a part but some actions can be taken to strengthen and tone the gluteal muscles and at least delay sagging buttocks.

In terms of diet, this alone will not address any issues but can play an important role. Avoiding processed foods, added sugars and excessive calories is a given. Exercises recommended by the NHS include:

Squats
Side-lying leg raises
Bridges
One leg kickbacks
Lunges

These exercises work by targeting the gluteal muscles. They also strengthen and tone muscles in the lower back and upper leg.

What causes loose skin on the thighs?

Loose skin on the thighs can occur naturally as one ages. This is because the skin loses elasticity as we get older as we lose collagen and elastin levels, and the skin starts to sag or look loose, losing the firm appearance the thighs naturally had.

Another reason why people get loose skin on their thighs is because of weight loss, especially if they’re older. Combined with the loss of elasticity, sudden weight loss means the skin no longer returns to where it should be. This can cause particular sagging if a large amount of weight has been lost.

Can you get rid of saggy thighs?

If you’re wondering ‘can I tighten loose skin on my thighs’ then there are a variety of surgical and non-surgical options for you.

Surgical procedures are frequently the most feasible way to decrease thigh fat. Expert surgeons can target the fat in your thighs and remove it, leaving you with the legs you desired. Here at the Cadogan Clinic, our surgeons are highly experienced in carrying out thigh lifts and liposuction, perfect for getting rid of saggy thighs.

A thigh lift is a surgical operation that is performed under general anaesthesia. It is utilised to reduce excess sagging skin and enhance the overall appearance of your thighs. Incisions are made, and extra skin is removed before the thigh is re-sculpted to look more appealing. There may be instances when your surgeon suggests combining this with liposuction, which can target any excess fat in your thighs.

How can I tighten loose skin on my thighs naturally (without surgery)?

If you are interested in reducing your thigh fat naturally, without surgery, the best solutions are a combination of nutrition and exercise.

There have been claims of various topical therapies that, when applied to the thigh, induce the skin to tighten and appear more appealing, but their usefulness is questionable. Such treatments, without a doubt, would be incapable of offering a long-term remedy.

When considering how to reduce sagging thighs it’s important to understand cosmetic procedures deliver outcomes that diet and exercise alone cannot provide. That is why they are so popular among people who want to lose fat in this area.

A consultation with an expert may put your mind at ease over any concerns that you may have about a surgical procedure. Our flexible payment options on offer mean this treatment is accessible to anyone.

Treatments mentioned in this article

A buttock lift helps to lift, tighten, and reduce loose skin on the buttocks and upper thighs.

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Body Surgery

Buttock Lift

A buttock lift helps to lift, tighten, and reduce loose skin on the buttocks and upper thighs.

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