What Is a Glute Imbalance?

Glute imbalance, also known as uneven buttocks or buttock asymmetry, is a condition characterised by one buttock being larger or a different shape than the other.

The shape and volume of the buttocks can be affected by a variety of natural and external factors, which may impact an individual’s confidence and quality of life:

• The fit and comfort of clothing, especially close-fitting clothes such as sportswear and swimwear
• Pain and limited mobility caused by muscular strain
• Loss of confidence in intimate relationships
• Self-consciousness and anxiety about self-image

There are several treatment options that can help to address buttock asymmetry. Cadogan Clinic’s expert Consultant Body Surgeons are all experts in their field and are committed to providing the highest quality patient care and results.

What is the Most Attractive Buttock Shape?

It is important to remember that buttock shape is subjective, and what one person finds attractive may not appeal to another.

Plastic Surgeons often refer to different buttock shapes, which either occur naturally or can be achieved through surgery. 

Concerns such as glute imbalance and uneven buttocks can affect the shape and size of the buttocks to varying degrees, although even a small difference in buttock size or shape may impact confidence.

When considering the most attractive buttock shape for you, it is essential to consider your body’s overall shape and proportions. An expert Consultant Plastic Surgeon can advise on the size and shape that will achieve your desired results and suit your body.

What are the Symptoms of Buttock Asymmetry?

There are several glute imbalance symptoms to consider if you are concerned about having uneven buttocks. Although some are visible, other glute imbalance symptoms don’t affect the appearance of the buttocks but may still have an impact on comfort and quality of life.

• One buttock appears to be larger or sits in a higher position
• The buttocks are different shapes
• Uneven muscle soreness, or one buttock feels weaker during movement or exercise
• Loss of confidence caused by the appearance of the buttocks

The symptoms of buttock asymmetry can vary depending on the severity of the condition and the cause. Different people will experience symptoms to differing degrees but the overall impact on confidence and comfort is one of the most important factors to take into account.

What Causes Glute Imbalance and Buttock Asymmetry?

Glute imbalance and uneven buttocks have several causes. While some people will be aware of the exact cause of their glute imbalance, in other cases it may not be immediately obvious and require assessment and diagnosis from a Consultant Surgeon.

Buttock asymmetry causes include:

Genetics

Buttock fat and muscle distribution naturally vary between individuals, but genetics can play a significant role.

Individuals who have direct family members who are affected by uneven buttocks are more likely to experience the condition themselves. However, buttock asymmetry can also occur in patients without family members with the same concern.

It is also important to note that the severity of glute imbalance can vary between family members, and some people’s concerns may be more serious than others.

Anatomy

Although the body typically has an overall symmetrical appearance, no one’s body or features are exactly the same on each side.

Just as we typically have a dominant hand used for writing and daily tasks, we also have a dominant leg. This can be on the same or the opposite side to our dominant hand.

It is normal to favour this leg during exercise and movement; however, if this dominance is too strong, over time, this can cause the muscles in one buttock to become much stronger than the other, causing an imbalance in size and shape.

Injury

Injury or trauma to the buttocks or surrounding areas can cause an imbalance in the shape and size of the buttocks.

As well as direct injury to the buttocks, which may impact their shape and size, musculoskeletal injuries to the legs and hips can cause the breakdown of fat and muscle in one buttock more than the other.

Additionally, improper rehabilitation of an injury may cause the tissue to rebuild or regenerate unevenly during the recovery period. Although this usually resolves on its own over time, in some cases the effect may be longer-term.

Medical Conditions

There are also medical conditions that can affect the balance and symmetry of the buttocks, usually by impacting the shape and structure of the spine and hips. The most common of these is Scoliosis.

Scoliosis results in buttock asymmetry because the spine's curve pulls the surrounding muscles unevenly, leading to tension on one side and weakness on the other. This leads to hip asymmetry, resulting in an uneven distribution of buttock fat and muscle.

Although Scoliosis is the most common of these conditions, the curvature of the spine can also be affected by Kyphosis, Lordosis, and Arthritis.

In cases where the exact cause of glute imbalance is not obvious, speaking with a specialist Consultant Surgeon provides a comprehensive assessment and diagnosis, to establish the cause and the most effective treatment plan.

How to Treat Uneven Buttocks?

Depending on the cause and severity of the buttock asymmetry, there are a number of non-surgical and surgical treatments which can effectively address the concerns.

Non-Surgical Treatments for Buttock Asymmetry

The best non-surgical treatments for glute imbalance typically involve physical therapy and exercise to redistribute the fat and muscle in the buttocks.

Physical Therapy

Especially for individuals whose glute imbalance is caused by injury or medical conditions, physical therapy can provide an effective solution.

Physical therapy for glute imbalance may include:

• Physiotherapy
• Massage
• Hot and cold therapy
• Radiofrequency or electrical stimulation

Depending on an individual’s exact concerns and desired outcomes, physical therapy can:

• Rebalance the fat and muscle between the buttocks
• Strengthen the surrounding muscles to correct an overdominance between the legs and hips
• Rehabilitate recent and old injuries to correct function and reduce discomfort

Physical therapy is an effective method for treating many of the concerns associated with glute imbalance.

Exercises

Exercise can be a highly effective technique to self-manage and treat uneven buttocks. This may include maintaining buttock symmetry once the initial cause and concerns have been addressed.

Exercises for glute imbalance often focus on rebalancing the dominance of one leg. Although having a dominant leg is normal and natural, when this dominance is too strong, it can affect the balance of strength and tone in the muscles.

Unilateral training, focusing on the weaker side, can help to balance the strength of the buttock muscles. This may include:

• Lunges
• Single leg hip thrusts
• Single leg squats

Alternatively, you can use tools such as ankle weights to encourage the weaker side to activate and work harder, helping to balance the two sides of the body.

Surgical Treatments for Uneven Buttocks

Although physical therapy and exercise are both highly effective methods for treating and managing glute imbalance, they often involve long-term engagement, and in more serious cases, may not be enough to achieve the desired results.

Uneven buttocks surgery is often the most effective option to achieve long-term and first-rate outcomes.

Buttock Lift

Buttock Lift is a surgical procedure which addresses the shape and tone of the buttocks.

During a Buttock Lift, excess skin is removed, and the buttock muscles are repaired and tightened to rebalance the overall appearance of the buttocks and address functional muscular concerns.

Buttock Lift can be performed as a bespoke surgery, meaning that glute muscle imbalance and buttock asymmetry can be addressed individually on each side to create a proportionate and balanced result.

A Buttock Lift procedure typically takes 3-4 hours to complete and is performed under general anaesthetic.

Brazilian Butt Lift

Also known as a BBL, Brazilian Butt Lift is an uneven buttocks surgery suitable for patients whose primary concern is the aesthetic balance of the buttocks, and who don’t have functional muscular concerns to treat.

Liposuction is used to extract excess fat from the abdomen, waist, hips, and thighs, which is then purified and injected between the skin and the muscle in the buttocks.

BBL Surgery is able to adjust and balance the shape and size of the buttocks in proportion with the body’s frame. This includes techniques such as the Skinny BBL for slender patients.

Brazilian Butt Lift is performed under general anaesthetic and typically takes 2-3 hours to complete, depending on the extent and number of areas of Liposuction.

Thigh Lift

Thigh Lift is a surgical procedure which rebalances and tones the skin and muscle of the thighs.

For patients whose glute imbalance is caused by the overdominance of the leg muscles on one side, Thigh Lift surgery can be performed to rebalance muscle tone, allowing the muscles in the buttocks to rebalance over time.

During a Thigh Lift, vertical incisions are made down the inner thighs, excess skin is removed, the thigh tissue and muscle are tightened and repositioned, and the incisions are closed, resulting in toned and balanced thighs.

Thigh Lift can also be performed alongside a Buttock Lift or BBL to enhance the final results. It usually takes 3-4 hours to complete, and is performed under general anaesthetic.

If you are considering any uneven buttocks surgery, speaking with a leading Consultant Body Surgeon is the best way to determine which is the most suitable procedure to effectively address your concerns.

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