Q: How long does hip augmentation last?

Hip implants are considered a permanent solution, though they can be removed if you experience complications or decide you don’t want them anymore. Fat transfer results are also permanent, though you won’t see your results right away. Up to 40% of the grafted fat cells won't survive beyond four months. Since each patient retains fat differently, individual results will vary. After that, the remaining fat is considered permanent. That doesn't mean your body won't change over time. "The fat that is grafted will become part of you. If you lose weight it will shrink, and if you gain weight it will get larger," explains board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Kenneth Hughes . A healthy blood supply is essential for fat cell survival, so good candidates are nonsmokers with strong circulation. This will help ensure that as many fat cells as possible remain after four months. Hip filler results can last for several years. Sculptra has a two-year indication, but that’s mainly a reflection of how long studies lasted: its volumizing effects were still measurable at the end of the two-year FDA clinical trial. Because collagen breaks down with age, you will need touch-ups (likely a lesser dose) if you want to maintain your results long-term.

Question 1

What is hip augmentation?

Accepted Answer

Hip augmentation surgery sculpts and adds volume via one or more of these techniques:

Silicone hip implants
Fat transfer, which involves liposuction and fat grafting
Injectable fillers such as Sculptra

Hip enhancement can create an hourglass figure with classically feminine curves, making this type of cosmetic surgery especially popular with transgender women.

Good candidates for hip augmentation are healthy nonsmokers who are at or near their ideal body weight. Patients who don't have much excess body fat may be better candidates for Sculptra or hip implants, though a relatively new fat transfer procedure, BeautiFill, can be a viable option for slimmer patients.

If your primary goal is filling out hip dips, a concave curve also known as violin hips, your surgeon will probably recommend fat grafting. Implants can be used in hip dip surgery, and surgeons sometimes combine the two procedures, using fat to help conceal the implant and give the most natural result.

Hip enhancement is frequently combined with other procedures like abdominal liposuction, a Brazilian butt lift, a tummy tuck, or even breast augmentation for complete body contouring.

Question 2

How much does hip augmentation cost?

Accepted Answer

Your cost will depend on your doctor’s credentials and level of experience, their practice location, and the details of your procedure.

Surprisingly, a nonsurgical alternative like Sculptra for hip dips can actually be much more expensive than surgery.

Depending on their location and level of expertise, providers typically charge between $700 and $1,000 per vial of Sculptra.
To fully correct hip dips, you may need 10 to 15 vials of Sculptra per side, injected over two appointments.
This means you could wind up paying $30,000 or more for results that last about two years.

When you book a consultation with a provider to discuss your options and their recommended treatment plan, ask for a detailed cost estimate, including their surgeon's fee, facility fees, anesthesia fees, and any other related costs.

Insurance won't cover the cost of this cosmetic procedure, but most providers offer payment plants or accept third-party financing options, such as CareCredit.

Question 3

Hip augmentation before and after pictures

Accepted Answer

The hip augmentation photos in our gallery have been shared by the provider who performed the procedure, with the patient's consent.

Question 4

How does hip augmentation work?

Accepted Answer

Hip implants

Hip implants are made of soft, semi-solid silicone rubber, similar to the material used in buttock implants. They’re designed to feel like natural muscle tissue.

Hip implant surgery is performed under general anesthesia. Once you’re completely asleep:

Your surgeon makes small incisions just under the beltline, so the thin scars will be hidden by underwear or a bikini.
They place each silicone implant below the fascia layer and just on top of the IT (iliotibial) band, the tendon that runs the length of the outer thigh.
The incisions are closed with sutures or glue and covered with a surgical dressing.

This is an outpatient surgical procedure, so you'll be able to go home once the anesthesia has worn off. Make sure you have a responsible adult there to get you home safely.

Learn the pros and cons of hip implants

Fat transfer

Hip fat transfer is a less invasive procedure. It’s an especially good option for anyone who wants to add curves while slimming their waistline, back, or other body areas.

Also known as fat grafting, this surgical procedure has several steps:

The technique is similar to a Brazilian butt lift, and these two plastic surgery procedures can be combined in one operation.

Dr. Alan Matarasso, a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York City and past president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, says that fat transfer to the hips is less risky than butt augmentation. “The risk of a BBL is in the triangle at the top of the buttock crease, where the blood vessels and gluteal veins are. When you work on the indent between the hip and outer thigh, it does not carry the same risks as buttock augmentation with fat grafting.”

This procedure also avoids the potential complications that can come with implants, including pain or being able to see them under the skin.

Just be aware that results are less predictable because only about 50–70% of transferred fat cells survive long-term. Some patients have underwhelming results or asymmetry that may require an additional procedure to correct.

Hip fillers

Sculptra, the hip filler of choice, excels at lending natural-looking volume to broad areas.

A few things to know:

The poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) particles in Sculptra are diluted in saline (or sterile saltwater) to form a syrupy solution.
Your provider will apply a topical numbing cream about an hour before treatment to lessen discomfort.
They’ll inject the filler at the appropriate depth into hip dips or areas where you want enhanced contours. You’ll see an immediate swell from the saline, but this will fade after a day or two (as the saltwater gets absorbed by the body), and you’ll be back to baseline.
You will be instructed to massage the treatment areas five times a day for five days, to keep the product from clumping up and forming nodules called granulomas.
Over the next 8-12 weeks, the PLLA will cause an irritant reaction, prompting a wound-healing response and triggering the body to generate fresh collagen (a kind of scar tissue), which creates more volume.

Question 5

How long does recovery take?

Accepted Answer

You can expect to need at least two weeks of downtime after a hip augmentation procedure.

Hip implant surgery recovery typically takes two weeks, but you won’t be fully healed for about eight weeks.

It’s less challenging than recovery from butt implant surgery, since the hip area is not as crucial to sitting or walking.
Most people can shower after 48 hours and return to work after a week or so.
During the first two weeks, you’ll be sore, stiff, and swollen and may be on pain medications.
Your surgeon may places drains, one on each side, to collect excess fluid and prevent seroma formation during healing.
You may sleep on your stomach or on your back, but not on your side for at least three weeks.
You’ll need to abstain from certain physical activities for several weeks (abide by your surgeon’s specific post-op instructions and restrictions).

Fat transfer recovery involves about two weeks of downtime, but the full recovery process takes eight or more weeks.

Avoid putting any pressure on your hips for at least three weeks post-op.
For the first four to six weeks, your provider might recommend that you wear a compression garment to help reduce swelling and fluid retention.
You should be up and about the day after surgery—walking is usually encouraged—but you’ll have to avoid strenuous activity, including lower body exercises, for at least six weeks.

Hip filler recovery time is minimal. You can return to work and most of your usual activities right after your appointment.

You’ll likely be sore, swollen, and possibly bruised for one to three weeks.
Tylenol and intermittent icing can help ease discomfort following injections. (Avoid NSAIDS which can promote bleeding and bruising.)
Skip strenuous workouts for 24-48 hours, or until you’re no longer tender.
To avoid complications, follow your injector’s massage instructions. Remember the rule of 5s: 5 times a day, 5 minutes each side, for 5 days.

Question 6

How long does hip augmentation last?

Accepted Answer

Hip implants are considered a permanent solution, though they can be removed if you experience complications or decide you don’t want them anymore.

Fat transfer results are also permanent, though you won’t see your results right away.

Up to 40% of the grafted fat cells won't survive beyond four months. Since each patient retains fat differently, individual results will vary.
After that, the remaining fat is considered permanent.
That doesn't mean your body won't change over time. "The fat that is grafted will become part of you. If you lose weight it will shrink, and if you gain weight it will get larger," explains board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Kenneth Hughes.
A healthy blood supply is essential for fat cell survival, so good candidates are nonsmokers with strong circulation. This will help ensure that as many fat cells as possible remain after four months.

Hip filler results can last for several years.

Sculptra has a two-year indication, but that’s mainly a reflection of how long studies lasted: its volumizing effects were still measurable at the end of the two-year FDA clinical trial.
Because collagen breaks down with age, you will need touch-ups (likely a lesser dose) if you want to maintain your results long-term.

Question 7

Is hip augmentation safe?

Accepted Answer

Hip implant surgery and fat grafting are both considered safe when the procedures are performed by an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon.

That said, they do come with risks and potential side effects.

Risks include:

infection
seromas (pockets of fluid that form under the surface of skin and require drainage)
implant malposition or extrusion
bleeding (hematoma)
fat necrosis
muscle damage
scarring
asymmetry
unpredictability with fat transfer
an unsatisfactory outcome

Hip implants can flip, although recent modifications in implant design have reduced the rate of this complication to 5%.

One rare but serious complication of fat transfer is the possibility of fat embolism if your surgeon injects fat into a blood vessel. In this case, the fat can travel into your lungs and cause serious harm, even death. Board-certified plastic surgeons should be well aware of this risk. Talk with yours about how they avoid it.

Hip filler risks may include bruising, allergic reactions, lumps and bumps, suboptimal results, and, in rare cases, vascular occlusion.

HIP AUGMENTATION

Ryan A. Stanton, MD

Gabby Shacknai

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Ryan A. Stanton, MD

Gabby Shacknai

WE SEND PRETTY EMAILS

WE SEND PRETTY
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