Today, a tight, supple behind is the definition of beauty. Curvaceous women are getting praise on large breasts with soft curves. Cosmetic surgery has proven this trend with a rise in buttock augmentation and butt lifts or fat transfer to the buttocks.

Depending upon your body type and your desire for your behind, there are many options; including butt implants, buttock lifts and Brazilian butt lift (fat grafting to the buttocks).

Depending on your ethnic background, buttock implants vary in size, style, and surgical technique.

What may appear desirable and appropriate for a Caucasian patient may vary considerably in an Asian, Hispanic, or African-American patient.

During the consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon, goals and desires should be discussed along with risks and the safety of the surgery.

It's important that your plastic surgeon conducts a full medical history during your consultation to make sure you are healthy enough to undergo the buttock surgery. Extensive pre- and post-operative instructions should be provided.

Buttock implantation, also called buttock augmentation, typically involves a 3-inch incision made at the midline of the buttocks. Buttock implants come in different sizes and shapes, and can even be. Your surgeon will create a pocket for the silicone implant and insert it through this small incision. The implant is positioned between muscle and fat. The muscle will eventually form scar tissue that will keep the implant in place.

Buttock implantation is performed under general anesthesia, typically on an outpatient basis. After placing the implants, the plastic surgeon must assure that both buttocks are symmetrical and look natural before stitching up the incisions. Buttock implantation usually takes about two or three hours to complete.

There are always risks involved with any surgical procedure, and buttock augmentation is no exception. For example, butt implants may shift and cause the buttocks to look asymmetrical. Other risks may include infection, unsatisfactory cosmetic results, excessive bleeding, anesthesia problems and the need for revision surgery.

Buttock augmentation stretches the tissues, which can be painful, especially if the implants are placed under the muscle. You will wear a compression garment for support for a few days after your buttock surgery.

In addition to the buttocks surgery, liposuction may be desired for the optimal look. A buttocks lift can be defined as an anti-aging surgery because the surgeon may remove excess skin to gain a tight round behind. The surgeon pulls up on the excess skin below the incision to lift your buttocks and outer thighs. The extra skin is then removed.

There is usually some postoperative pain that can be managed with medications. Swelling may last for up to three months, and the full cosmetic results are visible within a year.

What can you expect to look like after healing? Your backside will be rounder and fuller, and your waist will look smaller. You will have a shapelier, sexy, hourglass figure. The results are immediate, however, as there will be some swelling. You will gradually see your true results emerge over time. It can take 6 months to a year to see your final result.

If you would like more information about the treatments discussed in this article contact a plastic surgeon nearest to you.