Where are your flanks located on the body? (Photo)

Question

Would the attached photograph be accurate? Where most consider to be the muffin top/love handle area?

Janet Turkle, MD · Answer

Hello,Yes, the diagram is fairly accurate as to the location of the flanks. Generally your flanks begin below your rib cage and extend to the hips.

Aldo Guerra, MD · Answer

For me, it's like the hips and/ or love handles. This forms part of the waistline and I like to do liposuction there on every tummy tuck patient (unless they have no fat) so the get better results and a smaller waistline. Best wishes, Dr. ALDO

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

AKA “love handles”, “spare tires”, "muffin top" - an area below the ribcage, extending down past the waist and to the hips at your sides.  Be sure you and your blank surgeon concur on the area of your anatomy that will be liposuctioned.Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

Nicholas Husni, MD, PhD, FACS · Answer

The flank is the medical term for the love handle. It sounds more technical doesn't?  Best of luck to you.

Peter Hyans, MD · Answer

The above diagram is accurate.  Th muffin top is a term used to describe the skin and fat that is visible above the waistline of your pants or skirt. 
I hope this was helpful.

Mark D. Wigod, MD · Answer

Flanks are the side and posterior area just above the crest of the hip.  It is a common area for fat to collect - even in otherwise thin patients.  That fat and skin excess tends bubble over with pants and becomes the dreaded muffin top.  This area often responds well to liposuction and the excess skin layers into the natural depression there, or is excised as part of an abdominoplasty or lateral thigh lift. When performing an abdominoplasty on a patient with full flanks the results may be disappointing liposuction and extended incisions are not added.

Don Fontana, MD · Answer

The figure is accurate. I define the  flanks as the back  area extending from the smallest diameter of your waist to the first  physiologic depressed area on your hip

Mark T. Boschert, MD · Answer

Sure, that looks like a fair representation. Some people also call those the hips. (i.e. put your hands on your hips) in any case. When it comes to liposuction the area of question should be drawn clearly on you before the time of surgery which would remove any confusion created by words. Best of luck, Dr. Boschert

Reza Sadrian, MD · Answer

Yes, the photo that you attached does display the area known as the flanks (muffin top/love handle area).Best Wishes,Dr. Sadrian

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

The photo you attached does describe the approximate area that is considered the flanks.  It is common to contour this area during a mommy makeover via liposuction to provide a more complete result.

Where are your flanks located on the body? (Photo)

Answers (10)

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