Q: I am 21 years old. I was very thin and skinny before I started weight training. I was able to put on weight but my hips remained the same. I don't get a good fitting of any trousers. Is it true that the size of the hips can be increased with a surgery? Is it safe? Where in India can I get it done?

A:The size of the buttocks can be surgically enlarged. However, ladies are generally more concerned about the small size of the buttocks than men. Preformed silicone gluteal (buttock) implants are available in various sizes. A suitable size is selected and inserted in the buttocks to increase the size and improve the contour. The operation is done under general or local anaesthesia and takes about 1 to 2 hours for both sides. The patient is left with a scar, which is not noticeable, in the buttock fold and can be easily hidden. This type of operation is becoming very popular in the West and is also, at times, performed by a few experienced cosmetic surgeons in India.