Under-Buttock Crease · Subgluteal Fat

Banana roll liposuction: defined buttock-thigh transition

The "banana roll" is the band of fat directly below the buttock crease — creating a "second buttock" appearance and blurring the transition between glute and thigh. Removing this fat is essential for a defined buttock contour, particularly for patients seeking the lifted-buttock aesthetic. Performed by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Erdal at JCI-accredited hospital. Frequently combined with BBL for comprehensive buttock contouring. All-inclusive packages from €1,800.

€1,800–2,800
Standalone
45–90 min
Operative time
5–7 days
Return to work
BBL combined
Most popular approach

What is the banana roll?

The "banana roll" (medical: subgluteal fat compartment) is the horizontal band of fat directly below the gluteal crease — the natural fold where the buttock meets the upper thigh. When excess fat accumulates in this compartment, it creates a "second buttock" appearance: a defined fold, then a roll of fat, then thigh below. This blurs the natural buttock-to-thigh transition and creates a heavy, drooping buttock appearance.

Why banana rolls matter for buttock aesthetics

The aesthetic impact is disproportionate to the fat volume involved. A small banana roll can substantially diminish buttock projection appearance — making the buttocks look lower, less defined, and less lifted regardless of underlying glute development. Removing the banana roll often produces dramatic visual improvement in buttock contour without changing the buttocks themselves.

Why banana rolls develop

Critical for BBL patients: Patients planning Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) almost always benefit from concurrent banana roll liposuction. BBL augments buttock volume — but if banana roll is left intact, the augmented buttock looks "stuck on top of" a fat roll rather than naturally lifted. Banana roll removal is essential for the proper "lifted buttock" BBL aesthetic.

The procedure

Anaesthesia

General anaesthesia at JCI hospital, often performed alongside BBL or other body contouring procedures. Operative time 45–90 minutes for standalone banana roll, 30–45 minutes additional when combined with BBL.

Patient positioning

Patient positioned prone (face down). The buttock and thigh region is well-exposed.

Incision placement

1–2 small (3–4mm) incisions per side, placed in the gluteal crease where they're completely hidden in normal posture and clothing. By 6–12 months scars fade to invisibility.

Technique

Tumescent solution infiltration. Fine cannulas (3mm) extract fat with attention to: smooth contouring (the buttock-thigh transition must look natural, not flat), preservation of the gluteal crease (over-aggressive removal can flatten the natural fold), avoidance of contour irregularities (this area is mobile during sitting, walking — irregularities are visible).

VASER advantage

VASER ultrasound provides skin tightening particularly valuable for banana roll: subgluteal skin can be loose and prone to "bag" appearance after fat removal. The modest collagen stimulation from VASER helps skin redrape smoothly. Recommended for most banana roll cases.

Compression

Lower-body compression garment (typically thigh-high) worn continuously for 3 weeks, then 12 hours daily for an additional 2 weeks. Total duration 4–5 weeks. Sitting restrictions if combined with BBL (3 weeks).

Recovery timeline

Days 1–3

Mild-to-moderate discomfort (3–4 out of 10). Walking comfortable. Sitting on buttocks initially uncomfortable due to compression. Most patients use cushioning. Compression continuous.

Days 4–7

Most patients cleared to fly home. Walking unrestricted. Most desk workers return to work day 5–7.

Week 2

Most bruising resolved. Compression continuous.

Weeks 3–4

Most swelling resolved. Compression transitions to night-only. Visible improvement in buttock contour clearly emerging.

Weeks 6–8

Compression discontinued. Return to full activity including squats, lunges, and other glute exercises. Final contour substantially settled.

Months 3–6

Final result with skin tightening at maximum visibility. The improvement in buttock projection appearance is most appreciated at this stage.

Why BBL combination is the standard approach

For patients seeking buttock augmentation, performing BBL without banana roll liposuction is generally considered incomplete treatment. The reasons are aesthetic and technical:

Aesthetic reasons to combine

Technical reasons to combine

Combined banana roll + BBL costs €3,500–€4,800 — substantial savings vs separate procedures (€2,400 + €4,500 = €6,900 separately). Most premium plastic surgery practices include banana roll work as standard part of BBL rather than separate add-on.

Banana roll liposuction pricing 2026

Pricing for banana roll liposuction with Dr. Erdal in 2026 — all-inclusive packages:

ProcedureCost (all-inclusive)Notes
Banana roll liposuction (standalone)€1,800 – €2,400Subgluteal fat removal
VASER banana roll€2,000 – €2,800Skin tightening + fat removal
Banana roll + BBL€3,500 – €4,800Most popular combination
Banana roll + thigh lipo€2,800 – €3,800Posterior thigh contouring
Banana roll + 360 + BBL€5,000 – €7,000Comprehensive lower body

Cost comparison: Istanbul vs domestic

CountryDomestic priceIstanbul (Dr. Erdal)Saving
United Kingdom£3,000 – £5,000£1,530 – £2,400~50%
United States$3,500 – $7,000$2,000 – $3,100~55%
Germany€3,000 – €5,500€1,800 – €2,800~50%
AustraliaA$5,000 – A$8,500A$3,000 – A$4,800~50%
UAE / Dubai$4,000 – $7,500$2,000 – $3,100~55%

Frequently asked questions

How much does banana roll liposuction cost in Istanbul?

Banana roll liposuction with Dr. Erdal in Istanbul costs €1,800–€2,400 for standalone treatment, €2,000–€2,800 for VASER banana roll (recommended for skin tightening), €3,500–€4,800 combined with BBL (most popular and recommended approach), €2,800–€3,800 combined with thigh liposuction, €5,000–€7,000 for comprehensive lower body (360 + banana roll + BBL). The all-inclusive package covers surgery, JCI hospital, anaesthesia, hotel, transfers, compression, BBL pillow if combined, and 12-month follow-up.

Should I do banana roll alone or with BBL?

Depends on goals. Banana roll alone: good choice if you have satisfactory buttock volume but want better definition and lifted appearance. Banana roll + BBL: better choice if you want both volume augmentation AND lifted appearance — these two goals are best achieved together rather than separately. Most patients planning BBL benefit substantially from concurrent banana roll work; patients seeking just better contour without volume change can do standalone banana roll. Discuss specific goals during consultation.

Will the banana roll come back?

Fat removed via liposuction is permanently gone. Recurrence risk is low (under 10%) with stable weight. Significant weight gain can cause remaining fat cells in the area to expand, but the "rolled" appearance typically doesn't return to the same degree. Pregnancy can cause some fat redistribution. For most patients with stable weight, the improvement is essentially permanent.

Will I need to use a BBL pillow?

Only if combined with BBL (which most patients do). Standalone banana roll liposuction has standard sitting recovery — mild restriction first 3–5 days due to compression and tissue swelling, then progressive return to normal. Combined BBL extends sitting restrictions to 3 weeks of BBL pillow use to protect transferred fat. The BBL pillow keeps pressure off the buttocks while permitting normal sitting on thighs/legs.

Will my buttocks look smaller after banana roll removal?

Often the OPPOSITE perception. Removing the banana roll often makes the buttocks look LARGER and more defined — the contrast with the now-flat thigh below makes buttock projection more visible. The actual buttock volume doesn't change but the visual impact substantially increases. Patients sometimes describe results as "I look like I had a butt lift" even though no buttock surgery was performed. The transformation is often surprising in this dimension.

Can men have banana roll liposuction?

Yes — though less common request. Male banana roll often relates to weight gain or sedentary lifestyle. Treatment principles identical. Male patients often combine with abdominal liposuction for comprehensive lower-body contouring. Male buttock aesthetics differ from female — the goal is athletic definition rather than the rounded "lifted" appearance, and surgical approach adjusts accordingly. Pricing similar.

How does this differ from posterior thigh liposuction?

Banana roll is specifically the subgluteal fat compartment — the band immediately below the gluteal crease (typically extending 5–10cm below the crease). Posterior thigh liposuction extends further down the back of the thigh. These are anatomically continuous compartments — patients with significant fullness in both areas benefit from combined treatment (€2,800–€3,800). Patients with isolated banana roll concern need only the smaller standalone procedure.

Hip Dip Fat Transfer Often combined treatment Thigh Liposuction Adjacent zone VASER Technology Recommended technique Pricing Details All techniques

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