What is the isovolumetric gluteal contour principle?

It is the reshaping of the relationship between gluteal length, width and projection while preserving the overall three-dimensional contour balance.

Why is the maximal projection point important?

Its position determines the visual character of the contour and helps define which areas should be lifted and which areas should be preserved.

What is the role of the red horizontal reference line?

The line passes through the inferior apex of the presacral triangle and helps determine whether the maximal projection point lies above or below the reference level.

How do male and female contour objectives differ?

Female and feminizing contour objectives may require different relationships among lateral fullness, projection, the intergluteal cleft and the infragluteal contour. Male athletic objectives generally emphasize structural definition, lifting and controlled translation.

Should the infragluteal area always be lifted?

Not necessarily. The infragluteal area is evaluated according to the patient's anatomy, clothing, gender-related contour objectives and the desired position of the lower gluteal contour.

Gluteoplasty · Fundamental Principles

Fundamental Basics

Three-Dimensional Isovolumetric Gluteal Reshaping

Gluteal myomodulation reshapes the existing contour by selectively modifying its length, width and height while preserving the overall volume.

Explore the Principle Discover the Three Dimensions

Three-dimensional orthogonal axes of gluteal reshaping: length, width and projection

3D Isovolumetric
Reshaping

FUNDAMENTAL BASICS · NAVIGATION

THE THREE-DIMENSIONAL FRAMEWORK

Explore the Fundamental Basics

Navigate through the principles, applications, treatment planning and related techniques of three-dimensional gluteal contouring.

Fundamental Basics · Core Principle

The Isovolumetric Principle

Gluteal myomodulation reshapes an existing contour through three-dimensional deformation while preserving its overall volume.

01

The objective is not simply to add volume. It is to redistribute the existing contour in space.

02

Length, width and height—or projection—may be selectively modified according to the patient’s anatomy and aesthetic objective.

03

When one dimension decreases, another may be adjusted to preserve the overall three-dimensional volume.

Three-dimensional volume

V = L × W × H

V = constant

The contour changes shape while the overall volume remains constant.

L Length

×

W Width

×

H Height / Projection

Fundamental Basics · Spatial Framework

The Three Orthogonal Axes

The male gluteal contour can be described through three spatial dimensions: length, width and height—or projection.

L 01

Length

The vertical dimension of the gluteal contour, extending between the superior apex of the infragluteal diamond and the inferior apex of the presacral triangle.

Vertical contour

W 02

Width

The transverse dimension of one gluteal side, measured from the intergluteal cleft to the lateral gluteal border.

Transverse contour

H 03

Height / Projection

The height or projection H is the Euclidean distance |OPmax| measured along the H-axis, which is normal to the L–W plane. O is the origin where the central H-axis intersects the L–W plane, and Pmax is the point of maximal gluteal projection on that same axis.

Sagittal projection

Fundamental Basics · Dimension L

Shortening the Length to Create a Lifting Effect

Reducing the vertical length of the gluteal contour creates a lifting effect while allowing the overall three-dimensional volume to remain controlled.

Shortening the modifiable gluteal length and lifting effect

L

Lifting by Shortening the Vertical Contour

The lifting effect is obtained by reducing the vertical dimension of the gluteal contour rather than by simply increasing its volume.

L ↓ → lifting effect

Male contour

The Male Gluteal Contour Requires a Different Strategy

In male gluteoplasty, lifting should generally be achieved through superior or global shortening of the gluteal contour, while preserving the banana fold and avoiding direct treatment of the infra-gluteal convexity located immediately below it.

Treating this infra-gluteal convexity may raise the lower contour excessively and create a more feminine gluteal configuration.

Contour, Clothing and Visual Architecture

The Banana Fold and the Position of Jeans Pockets

Male and female banana fold and jeans pocket position

Male jeans

In conventional masculine jeans, the pockets generally extend below the banana fold, reinforcing a lower male gluteal contour.

Female jeans

In feminine jeans, the pockets are more often positioned above the banana fold, visually emphasizing a higher lower-gluteal contour.

Specific masculine styling

Some masculine fashion designs have placed the lower edge of the pockets at the level of the banana fold, creating a more feminine visual tendency.

Three Contour Strategies

Their Indications Are Not Interchangeable

01

General Length Shortening

The principal strategy for adapting the vertical gluteal contour while preserving controlled three-dimensional proportions.

Male and female applications

02

Banana Fold Lifting

A selective technique designed to elevate and redefine the banana fold in specific anatomical situations.

Selective indication → 03

Infra-Gluteal Area Lifting

A selective approach mainly considered in female gluteoplasty and generally avoided when preserving a masculine contour is the objective.

Mainly female application →

Fundamental Basics · Dimension W

Modifying the Width

Changing the width modifies the transverse architecture of the gluteal contour. It may create either lateral enlargement or lateral tightening, depending on the anatomical objective.

Gluteal width modification showing lateral enlargement and tightening

W

Changing the Width for Tightening or Enlargement

The width can be modified by changing the lateral extension of the gluteal contour. This dimension must always be adapted to the patient’s sex, skeletal architecture and desired silhouette.

W ↑ → lateral enlargement

W ↓ → lateral tightening

Explore Width Modification →

Male contour

Width Modification Is Highly Gender-Dependent

In male gluteoplasty, lateral enlargement is generally not appreciated because excessive transverse expansion may feminize the masculine gluteal contour.

Conversely, lateral tightening should generally not be performed in the male buttock. Excessive reduction of the width can eliminate the natural lateral fullness and transform the buttock into a narrow ridge-like contour rather than a recognizable buttock.

Preserve masculine width and lateral continuity

Two Possible Directions

Enlargement and Tightening Are Not Equivalent

01

Width Enlargement

Increasing the lateral extension may be considered when a broader gluteal contour is anatomically desirable, particularly in selected female indications.

Selective indication Generally avoided in men

02

Width Tightening

Reducing the lateral extension may create a narrower contour in selected situations, but it must be carefully controlled to avoid flattening or excessive narrowing.

Mainly female application Generally avoided in male buttocks

Clinical principle

In male gluteoplasty, the objective is usually to preserve the existing width while modifying projection, position or vertical proportions. Width should not be changed merely to create a more dramatic silhouette.

Fundamental Basics · Dimension H

Modifying the Height to Control Projection

Modifying the vertical height changes the relationship between the gluteal contour and its point of maximal projection. The objective is not necessarily to increase volume, but to control where and how the projection is expressed.

Myomodulation with controlled isovolumetric gluteal projection — **Myomodulation** Controlled isovolumetric reshaping

BBL with volume-based gluteal projection — **BBL · Brazilian Butt Lift** Augmentation-based gluteal reshaping

H

Height and Projection Are Related, but Not Identical

Height H is defined in the standing posterior view. In profile, projection describes the posterior expression of the gluteal contour. These two dimensions must be evaluated together without confusing controlled reshaping with volume augmentation.

H ↕ → projection control

Explore Height Modification and Gluteal Projection →

Male contour

Projection Should Be Redistributed, Not Exaggerated

In the male buttock, the objective is generally to preserve the existing width and overall projection while controlling the vertical position of the area of maximal projection.

Excessive height or excessive posterior projection may feminize the contour. In athletic men, a controlled shortening of the vertical dimension may reposition the projection without creating an exaggerated volume increase.

Anthropometric Reference