Sagging buttocks
Sagging buttocks describe descent or looseness of buttock skin and tissue, often with a lower fold or reduced upper fullness. It may follow ageing or major weight loss and coexist with low volume, fat deposits and cellulite.
What you may notice
- Lower position of buttock fullness
- Loose folds beneath or above the buttock
- Reduced upper projection
- A longer or deeper gluteal crease
Why it can happen
Skin elasticity, connective support, gravity, age and weight change influence tissue position. Loss of volume and muscle can make descent more visible. Adding volume alone may not correct substantial loose skin.
What may help
Stable weight and resistance training support contour but do not remove excess skin. A buttock or lower-body lift repositions tissue, while fat grafting or implants add volume. Liposuction treats fat and may worsen laxity when skin recoil is poor. Gluteal fat grafting carries a risk of potentially fatal fat embolism and requires specific safety measures.
When to consult
Consult a clinician for pain, skin breakdown or functional problems in folds. Surgical assessment should separate descent, volume loss and fat and explain scars.
Evidence and sources
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Buttock enhancement [Internet]. Arlington Heights (IL): American Society of Plastic Surgeons; [cited 2026 Nov 7]. Available from: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/buttock-enhancement (new tab)
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Body lift [Internet]. Arlington Heights (IL): American Society of Plastic Surgeons; [cited 2026 Nov 7]. Available from: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/body-lift (new tab)
- National Health Service. Liposuction [Internet]. London: National Health Service; 2023 [cited 2026 Nov 7]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/cosmetic-procedures/cosmetic-surgery/liposuction/ (new tab)
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons, The Plastic Surgery Foundation, The Aesthetic Society, Aesthetic Surgery Education and Research Foundation. Statement on patient safety during gluteal fat grafting [Internet]. 2022 [cited 2026 Nov 7]. Available from: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/Patient-Safety/BBL/Gluteal-Fat-Grafting-Safety-Advisory_Aug22.pdf (new tab)