Since the beginning of recorded history, the buttocks have been considered among the most beautiful of the body's many parts, and in almost all cultures today attractive buttocks are still prized as a sign of beauty.

Unfortunately, many men and women in our society have underdeveloped, flat, scarred, or otherwise unattractive buttocks. Transgendered and transsexual persons may also be seeking to modify their bodies to better reflect their lifestyle choices. For these and many other reasons, Americans today are enhancing the shape and contour of their buttocks using surgery in order to improve their overall body aesthetic.

This surgery may be called a ?butt lift?, a ?butt job?, or any of a number of other names, but all refer to surgical buttock augmentation treatment.

In most cases, buttock surgery is a means of correcting damaged on unattractive buttocks. Patients who desire firm, round, full buttocks may wish to consider implants. Buttock implant surgery adds volume and contour to the buttocks by placing implants within each cheek; each bearing within itself a spongy, gelatin-like plastic substance. To carry out the operation, the surgeon makes a small cut near the gluteal sulcus ? the crease where the hind part of the thigh meets the butt cheeks ? and inserts the implants. The wound is then sewn closed.

Fat transplant is another option. Known as the ?Brazilian Butt Lift?, this form of buttock augmentation puts the patient's own excess body fat to work for him or her. During the procedure, fat cells from elsewhere in the patient's body are extracted, then transplanted into the buttocks using liposuction equipment. Fat cells are taken from various areas of the body, such as the abdomen, hips, back, or thighs, through liposuction; the fat is then inserted through small incisions into different layers of the buttocks to match the patient's desired shape and size.

More than one session of injections may be required, depending on how much augmentation is desired by the patient, but many patients prefer fat transplant because the body's own cells are used, thus eliminating the possibility of tissue rejection.

Recovery time after each of these procedures is small. Patients are able to sit down immediately after surgery and can return to work in about one week. Transplant patients will need to wear a compression garment for up to two weeks after the procedure. Postoperative massage and ultrasound treatments may also be recommended.

Certain risks come with all types of surgery. Those who have had buttock augmentation surgery face the risk of secondary infections, swelling, tenderness, stiffness and other complications of surgery. Serious side effects are rare, however.

Buttock augmentation is no laughing matter. It a serious medical procedure requiring serious consideration. Prospective buttock augmentation patients should determine their goals, then discuss the options all the options with your surgeon.