I'm 19 Years Old with Abnormally Large Love Handles and Small Hips. Is This Normal? (photo)

Question

I'm 19 years old and ive NEVER had a child. i weight 170lbs. 5'5 tall. Even if I do lose weight would my body proportions look any better? I would really like to know if im not alone in this. Also what kind of diet and exercise shouold I do. Because of this body I have symptoms of sciatica every day and night. Is there Anyyyything I can do?

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

At 5'5 and 170 lbs, your BMI is 28, which makes you overweight.  The greatest weight loss at 5 years occurs in the diet with the least amount of fat.  Exercise would also be a benefit if you focus on the core, such as sit-ups.  The surgical option would be liposuction rather than abdominoplasty.  We can remove up to 11 lbs during liposuction safely in one session.  You are young and your skin should contract.

	Best Wishes,

	Gary Horndeski, M.D.

J. Jason Wendel, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question and the photos.

	Liposuction would likely improve your problem areas but not completely make it better. You will also need additional diet and exercise to help too. Liposuction does not substitute for weight loss and does not prevent weight gain.

	To be sure, see two or more board-certified plastic surgeons in your area for a full and complete evaluation to make sure you are a good candidate and that it is safe for you to have surgery.  I hope this helps.

Karol A. Gutowski, MD, FACS · Answer

You seem to have an unusual fat distribution for your age. Your best bet is to see your primary care doctor for advice on medically supervised weight loss. In most cases, a combination of increased physical activity (exercise 4 to 5 times per week) and diet control (including a food intake journal) will make a difference. For long-term improvement, these lifestyle changes must be maintained. 

	If after trying this you still have areas that are out of proportion to the rest of your body, liposuction may be considered. At that point, you would want to talk with a Board Certified plastic surgeon. 

	 

	Good Luck

Peter E. Johnson, MD · Answer

You do have an unusual body shape with a very full waist and very small hip and butt. Of course, the opposite could be true and you would be none the better. Familial shape is hard to beat, and liposuction can help to contour and redistribute. At age 19, though, you should not give up on exercise, and 170 is just too much for your frame. You could reduce the waist by half with effort, and running will burn the most

M. Vincent Makhlouf, MD, FACS · Answer

There is a condition called metabolic syndrome where patients have "truncal" obesity which you have some features of, you primary care physician can help you with that. On a more direct and specific level, you have fat deposit in the flanks that responds very well to liposuction, and you butt is proportionately small, what some people call a "V" shape overall, this takes us into another territory of buttock enhancement. I am not sure that you are there, at 19 your body can reshape quite well with proper diet. See you physician go on a specific diet and see how that improves things for you.

I'm 19 Years Old with Abnormally Large Love Handles and Small Hips. Is This Normal? (photo)

Answers (9)

Answer: Full waist, a difficult family trait

Answer: Full waist, a difficult family trait

Answer: Love handles

Answer: Love handles

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I'm 19 Years Old with Abnormally Large Love Handles and Small Hips. Is This Normal? (photo)

Answers (9)

Answer: Full waist, a difficult family trait

Answer: Full waist, a difficult family trait

Answer: Love handles

Answer: Love handles

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.