Buttocks augmentation is a procedure in plastic surgery that is steadily gaining popularity, since the look of rotund and feminine behinds have increased in popularity in recent years. As demonstrated by celebrities like Tyra Banks, Beyonce Knowles, and the ever-popular Jennifer Lopez, round buttocks are sexy and are assets of sorts to the average female—and to the odd male.

But not everyone is gifted with such impressive rear ends, which is why buttocks augmentation has become a regular item on the treatment list when people opt for plastic surgery options.

There are a number of options when one wishes to undergo buttocks augmentation. The first is having a butt implant procedure. Butt implants are quite similar to breast implants in that it involves the use of artificial implants made of synthetic materials—such as silicone–that are then placed inside the buttocks, usually on top of the muscles located around the sitting area, to increase its size and modify its shape. This is commonly used to make it rounder and more accentuated.

There are some butt implants that are placed underneath the muscles, as opposed to the more traditional method of placing it over them. These can be more painful and require more skilled doctors, but the end result is having the effect of “hidden” implants, giving the buttocks a more natural feel when touched.

Another procedure that can be received is the Brazilian buttock augmentation, more popularly known as the Brazilian butt lift. This is an alternative to implants, and can help the patient in hitting two birds with one stone.

The Brazilian butt lift works by taking the fat that already exists in the body, usually from the waist or abdomen area, and inserting it in the buttocks to augment and enlarge it. This generally means that the patient will undergo both liposuction and buttocks augmentation, which results in a leaner look from where the fat was drained, and a more natural feel to the buttocks where the fat was transferred.

Brazilian butt lifts also have less risk because the fat cells injected into the patient’s body are their own, thus reducing any adverse side effects from the procedure.

Usually, butt implant procedures last around 2-4 hours, depending on the doctor’s skill and the patient’s requirements. No hospitalization is needed for the most part, with clinics sending patients home a few hours after the surgery.

But recovery time can be anywhere from one to two weeks, depending on the patient’s own physiology. It is recommended that patients diligently take the antibiotics, painkillers, and any other prescribed medication by the surgeon to ensure rapid and proper recovery. It is also recommended for people to wear special garments that can control outside pressure on the buttocks area. If done correctly, the patient should be back to normal within a month.