Why Do my Hips Stick out More 9 Months After Tummy Tuck Surgery?

Hi there,

What has most likely to have happened is that once your tummy has been made flat the hips become more obvious.  The hips are probably much as they were before the surgery, it is just that now their true appearance is more obvious because the tummy is flat.  

Sometimes there is a bulge at the ends of the tummy tuck scar ("dog ear").  This is because the skin and fat have been brought together at this point.

If the appearance of your hips is a concern sometimes revision surgery is required, such as liposuction or a minor scar revision.

Kind regards,

 

Dean

 

Having given instructional courses to many surgeons around the country and internationally at the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons "Aesthetic Meeting", there is an appearance that the hips may stick out more after tummy tucks.  The reason for this is the fact that most of the skin and fat that is removed is from the midline of the abdomen.  As you move further and further from the midline, the amount of skin removal is less.  As a result, you can experience the "appearance of the hips being more prominent."  In my practice, I will perform a second stage Smartlipo to the hips to contour and improve the appearance of the hip region.  Hope this helps!!

and if you have fuller hips (as you compare your before and after photos), you should discuss your concerns with your surgeon.  Hips mean different things to different people so I cannot really comment about the 'why'.  I suggest seeing your surgeon for an explanation if your photos show an obvious change for the worse to get a more succinct explanation.

A more useful response might come if the question were accompanied by photos. 

A TT corrects only the abdomen, not the flanks or hips. It is not uncommon for these areas to appear larger after a TT even though they are not actually larger, but rather now are out of balance with a trimmer abdomen. 

A touch up procedure can usually help. 

Best wishes.