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Asset Enhancement

Some Women Seek Implants to Give Their Behinds a Boost

But for women who can't seem to fill out their jeans regardless of the number of squats they do or hours they spend on the Stairmaster, there is the hope that science can "enhance" what Mother Nature gave them.

Buttocks implants, a procedure in which a soft but solid silicone implant is placed in the upper half of the buttocks, are science's solution. Though the procedure is still relatively rare, it's a new option for women who want a bigger, fuller, more rounded rear end.

New York-based plastic surgeon, Dr. Bruce Nadler, says the typical buttocks implant patient seeks the surgery when exercise and genetics fail them. "Some women have very little on their own. These are people who struggle and feel frustration where genetics limit them."

Tricia Kruse is one of those people. As a night club owner in Manhattan, Kruse says when she failed to see results from her own efforts, she looked for other options. "In the past two years, I would go to the gym four or five times a week. But regardless of what I did, I just couldn't show my waistline because my buttocks were so flat."

After she found out about the implants, Kruse decided to seek Nadler's help. After a three hour surgery and two weeks of soreness, Kruse says she has no regrets with her decision and is excited to be wearing trendier clothing.

The Implant's Inception

With a pricetag of around $10,000 and a fair amount of criticism, buttocks implants have not quite made it mainstream. Yet some plastic surgeons say the new "paradigm of beauty" of the "projecting" buttocks is stirring up a trend.

In the past year-and-a-half Nadler says he has seen an upsurge in interest in the implants. He has even had patients specifically ask for "a butt like Jennifer Lopez" and equates Lopez's trend-setting power in buttocks implants to Pamela Anderson's influence on breast implants a few years ago.

Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Nikolas Chugay performs just 15 buttocks implant procedures in a typical a year, yet says he has recently been receiving more requests.

Chugay started performing the buttocks implant procedure 14 years ago, placing the implant above the muscle. But Chugay noticed that this technique would cause the implant to creep under the skin. After collaborating with a colleague in Rio de Janeiro, Chugay resolved the flaw by placing the implant under the gluteus muscle. "Now," says Chugay, the procedure is "state of the art."

Not Without Risk

But critics of the procedure say the buttocks implant surgery still has its flaws. They say that while silicone implants may be OK for the breasts, they are not yet ready for the buttocks.

Dr. Ed Luce, president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and chief of plastic surgery at University Hospitals of Cleveland, cautions that implants don't do well when placed in areas of increased pressure, like the seat, and also pose a risk of infection. The society currently does not track the prevalence of the procedure because it is still relatively rare.

Surgeons also warn of other potential problems such as disfigurement, puncturing, discomfort and damage to the leg's sciatic nerve, which can lead to serious disability.

"The principle risks are that the implants don't do well on an area we put so much pressure on like the buttocks," says Luce.

Dr. John Grossman, a plastic surgeon who performs the procedure in Denver and Beverly Hills, acknowledges the implants are not for everyone. "It requires a well-disciplined patient and takes time away from work."

As for comfort, Grossman says the solid implant feels soft like a Jell-O mold, but acknowledges it is "not totally comfortable when you sit back on it."

But according to Tricia Kruse, who admits the first few days after the surgery were very painful, the benefits are worth it. "Now I am so happy, I can wear the clothes I want to.

-- Anonymous, January 29, 2002

Answers

there is also a line of jeans that have 'pads' to enhance your look. both men and women. just don't mix em up.

-- Anonymous, January 29, 2002

My uncle used to have a term for women with flat butts... "she's got one of them sody-cracker butts"....

-- Anonymous, January 29, 2002

Funny, when I read this, I kept hearing Queen's "Fat Bottom Girls" in my mind.

-- Anonymous, January 29, 2002

weeeellllllll..I have about 10 lbs from each "cheek" I'd donate..for free!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

and thanks alot, apoc..I am singing that song now, and will all night long! hehehehe

I had a dear old lady friend, and she called me into the bathroom one day when I was visited...she had the funniest smirk..I went in and get kinda freaky when she turned her back to me, and said...Looky here..and proceeded to lift up her dress. ...she had on "undies" with "butt cheeks" molded right in them...she said it was like sitting on air... I was just glad no one walked in when she said..go ahead, and feel them..and I did!!! hahahahehehehhhahahaha!!!!!!!!!

-- Anonymous, January 29, 2002

SAR copping feels in a bathroom? What is the world coming to?

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2002