An alternative to the Brazilian butt lift: What is the Miami thong lift?

When you think of Miami, you think of blue ocean waves, sandy beaches and... thongs as far as the eye can see. Thanks to this new trend in plastic surgery, you may achieve the backside of your dreams with the aptly named "Miami thong lift."

So, what can this new procedure do to enhance the aesthetic of your rear end, and how does it differ from a Brazilian butt lift? It is time to take a revealing look at a prominent body part that many people may try to hide.

What is a Miami thong lift?

The derriere was once an afterthought, something to put behind you and not give much thought to. Celebrities have significantly increased the face value of the butt, and it shows. Statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgery show that buttock augmentation in the form of a BBL has grown by three percent just from 2022 to 2023. More than 29,000 patients enhanced their backside via BBL, and that does not count the number of patients who opted for buttock implants or buttock lifts.

For those who are looking to turn their backside into the perfect peach, there is a new procedure that may soon eclipse the BBL as the "go-to" butt procedure. It's called the Miami thong lift, and according to Miami surgeon Constantino Mendieta, MD, it is a surgical procedure designed to remove excess skin and fat from between the lower buttock cheeks, which can sometimes sag and look unflattering.

"This surgery cleverly places the scar in an area typically covered by a bikini, which is why it's called the Miami thong lift," said Dr. Mendieta.

Kristy Hamilton, MD, who practices in Houston, calls the Miami thong lift a "very powerful technique to sculpt the lower curvature of the buttock into that nice peach shape."

She explained that as we age or lose weight, the structures of the backside can start to sag and lose their shape. The goal of a Miami thong lift is to reshape and refine the contours of the buttocks. It's not about enlarging. It's about enhancing the aesthetic of the backside by addressing sagging and a loss of shape and tone.

How is a Miami thong lift different from a Brazilian butt lift?

One of the most significant differences between a Brazilian butt lift and a Miami thong lift comes down to surgical technique.

"So, the concept is if you're doing a full buttock lift, you have to do a butterfly incision that goes across the top of the buttock, and so that is very difficult to conceal," said Dr. Hamilton, further explaining that a Miami Thong Lift "is a surgery that's designed to place the incisions completely in the gluteal cleft, which is the region between the buttocks, so all the incisions are completely hidden."

While both procedures are called a "lift," the names can be a bit deceptive, as only one is truly focused on lifting the buttocks.

"The Miami thong lift is traditionally described as an incision that removes skin in the gluteal sulcus," said Palm Beach surgeon Andrew Rosenthal, MD. "This sometimes extends around the superior portion of the buttocks, much like a thong. It removes skin and provides some lift to the buttocks. A Brazilian butt lift is actually not a butt 'lift' at all, but rather fat transfer to the buttocks, like filling an underinflated balloon, making it stand up more and fill out. The Miami thong lift is often used in conjunction with fat transfer to the buttocks to get more of a lift with less fat fill. Think of it as making the balloon smaller and filling it up at the same time."

Dr. Mendieta further clarified another crucial difference in the procedures.

"While both procedures enhance the appearance of the buttocks, they serve different purposes," said Dr. Mendieta. "A Brazilian butt lift focuses on adding volume and reshaping the buttocks using fat transfer. In contrast, the Miami thong lift specifically targets and removes excess skin and fat, smoothing the area for a more flattering contour."

The result of the Miami thong lift? Dr. Mendieta said more patients can expect a smoother, more aesthetically pleasing lower buttock with less sagging and a more defined silhouette, while Dr. Hamilton said the procedure can yield a more athletic and toned backside.

"It's a more minor procedure since there's no fat transfer," said Dr. Hamilton, adding that the recovery typically takes about two weeks unless a patient combines a Miami thong lift with other procedures.

Is a Miami thong lift right for you?

Working on the rear end presents a unique set of challenges. Again, with other buttock procedures, patients can expect to be off their backsides for an extended period as they navigate recovery, making it tricky to sit, sleep and work. Like with any surgical procedure, there are considerations a patient must evaluate.

"There can be some difficult healing and scarring complications associated with the thong lift," said Dr. Rosenthal. "The incision site is not a particularly good area for healing due to location and tension."

As a result, patients should expect significant changes to their routine while they recover, given how much time people spend sitting and lying on their butt.

"It has to heal like any incision, but you must be very careful to limit your positioning and activity," said Dr. Mendieta.

While the Miami thong lift is an exciting alternative to the Brazilian butt lift, a combination procedure can really pump up the results.

"You can combine this procedure with a Brazilian butt lift if you also want volume and maybe more hip projection or more posterior buttock projection," said Dr. Hamilton. "You can use this as a standalone procedure for a little definition or shape, but you can also combine it with other procedures and get a really different kind of outcome."

Dr. Mendieta also said that it is common to combine a Miami thong lift with other surgical procedures like a Brazilian butt lift, buttock lift, inner thigh lift and treatments like Avéli for cellulite reduction for a more comprehensive body contouring result.

If you want a rounder, shapelier silhouette, the Miami thong lift may be your new go-to procedure. Dr. Hamilton summed up the Miami thong lift quite simply: "It's become this tool to create a very bespoke, customized treatment for the buttock area."

To find a qualified plastic surgeon for any cosmetic or reconstructive procedure, consult a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. All ASPS members are board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, have completed an accredited plastic surgery training program, practice in accredited facilities and follow strict standards of safety and ethics. Find an ASPS member in your area.