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Can a Compression Garment Smooth Hips?

I am young (20), skinny, and fit but my hips have a "violin deformity". I would prefer not to remove the fat, i.e. lipo, but to move it downward so that my hips appear smoother. Would wearing a compression garment for a length of time solve this issue? Are there any alternatives to liposuction that would apply?

Asked 14 months ago by scrunchie2607 in FL

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Body contouring garments that melt fat

Conventional wisdom states that a "spanx-like" garment or bodyshaper will certainly alter your shape....temporarily. However, you do have a good point and one that I have pondered. I have observed that men that wear particulary tight belt buckles or females as well tend to develop atrophy in the suprapubic area that appears directly related to the pressure applied. I have believed that perhaps this observation could be applied elsewhere. IT is a fine balance and that is the pro more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Compression garments will not move fat around

While the use of compression garments after liposuction is standard postperative care, such an approach without liposuction will not be successful at reshaping or moving fat around. Fat must first be 'loosened' or partially removed to have a compression garment help in reshaping any excess fat area. A compression garment does not have magical properties, it is a passive device that does more to control swelling after liposuction than it does in reshaping fat contours. more

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD

Indianapolis Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Alternatives to liposuction = not compression garment but Zeltiq Coolsculpture

No, compression garments won't help and no Zeltiq Coolsculpture won't give you the same volume reduction as liposuction, but without liposuction or surgery, Zeltiq coolsculpture which is an FDA cleared device for fat chilling, can lessen fat for some people as much as 20% with one treatment that takes one hour, and the results can be seen in the first several months. Love handles, lower abdomen and flanks, no surgery. We're still getting experience with it but there is a high... more

Ronald Shelton, MD

Manhattan Dermatologist

Compression garments do not permanently change body contour

Compression garments are not a replacement for liposuction. They can help mask contour abnormalities but will not leave behind a lasting effect once taken off. Liposuction is very effective in changing body contours, unlike many non-surgical treatments that are on the market today. None of those can produce the effect of a real liposuction. Sincerely, Martin Jugenburg, MD

Martin Jugenburg, MD

Toronto Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Compression garment versus liposuction

A compression garment is used post-liposuction. It is not used for changing the shape of areas that have not been treated.

Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Can compression garments to alter shape.

I don't know of any credible product on the market which will thin areas of the body or redistribute the fat using compression. At best, firm compression will temporarily flatten areas but these areas will quickly return to the original shape once the compression is gone. Although you would like to avoid it, liposuction is a relatively quick procedure with a quick recovery and predictable permanent results. Other modalities, though heavily marketed, are not proven... more

Jeffrey M. Darrow, MD

Boston Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Compression garments to change shape

The "Squeem" product claims to be able to do what you want but I have no personal experience with the results. I do know of two people who are trying it to change their shape. Sounds sort of Victorian England to me though.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Can compression garments cause permanent changes in your body shape?

There are many examples of how intermittent pressure on a body area can cause permanent changes in your body, with bra strap grooves being an obvious example. But can regular postsurgical compression garments cause a permanent change in your body shape? The answer is not obvious, because details really matter. We definitely know that compression can cause permanent changes in body shape during the growth phase of life- the ancient art of Chinese foot binding is an... more

Claudio DeLorenzi, MD

Toronto Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS

Compression garments mold the body, but will never make permanent changes!

You describe yourself as "skinny" but with a violin deformity of the hips. Other call this a "muffin top" but we all know that this localized extra fat looks bad coming out over your lowrider jeans or snug-fitting slacks. (I have 4 daughters in their 20's!) If this is indeed localized fatty tissue, you are an excellent candidate for liposuction (or liposculpture) of this area. At 20, you (probably) have excellent skin tone and muscle tone, and removal of this... more

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS

Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Can a Compression Garment Smooth Hips?

The easy answer is NO. Because you would NEVER wear the garment for months on end. Best option is Liposuction with Stem Cell Enhanced fat transfer. from MIAMI Dr. Darryl J. Blinski, 305 598 0091

Darryl J. Blinski, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Fat reduction without surgery

Although long term compression can compress fat (like where the underwear elastic sits), this would take years. Unfortunately you can't really shift or visibly reduce fat with compression. While there have been several modalities that have claimed to reduce fat without surgery, the only way that actually works without surgery is diet.

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Verne Weisberg, MD

Portland Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

A compression garment will improve your contour while you wear the garment.

Dear Scrunchie The compression garment can shape your appearance while you wear it. But take it off and you see the old shape. Long term the compression garment has no affect on the fullness of these areas. Particularly with the "violin deformity" your body is predisposed to store fat in this pattern. Focal liposuction to shape the body is the answer.

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD

Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon

Compression garment not an alternative to lipo

It is possible in theory that a very high pressure garment could have some effect if worn for a very long time but it is not likely that you could push it where you want. The far more sensible choice would be lipo with fat transfer. It is not a particularly major procedure and the outcome more predictable.

Richard Baxter, MD

Seattle Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Compression versus lipo

Good question. From a non-medical standpoint, compression makes perfect sense. Unfortunately, from a medical standpoint, it doesn't. You could wear a compression garment all day every day for months and only result with a skin rash and discomfort. It will not mold fat one millimeter. However, this does not mean that you need liposuction. Liposuction, though aggressively marketed, is best for people who are otherwise fit. What I would suggest is... more

Jason R. Hess, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Can Compression Garments (Corsets) Shift Fat lower to Smooth Hips?

Applying moderate compression to fat does not mold it or help it migrate inferiorly. Women and men have used corset like devices for centuries. If they worked, liposuction would have never been invented and would never have the popularity it has. Alternative to liposuction such as freezing the fat or using external ultrasound to melt it are costly and have not proven themselves. Liposuction is the best way to sculpt fat. Dr. Peter Aldea