Is it possible to work out the gluteus medium enough to get that hour glass shape, if your hips dip/concave inwards? (Photos)

Question

I am 5' 01" & 110 lbs; female; Skinny, but not fit. A really fit friend of mine told me I could use the hip abducting machine at the gym and it will work out my gluteus medius, giving me that shape I lack in my hips. The dip I have is nothing huge, very minor. Looks exactly like the drawn pic below. My question is, before I get a $7000 surgery, is it really possible I can get that hourglass shape by working out? I'm perfectly fine with my butt. It's only my hips I am worried about.

Ryan A. Stanton, MD · Answer

Although I encourage every patient to workout and live a healthy lifestyle, curvaceous hips is most often the result of the right genetics fo the skeletal framework and fat deposits in the hip area. Take a look at some professional women bodybuilders and notice how they too have a depression in their outer buttock - because they are ultralean, not because they don't have well developed gluteus medius muscles.  In other words, unless you are genetically blessed with "hour-glass" hips, your only option for permanent hip augmentation may just be hip implants. Please read on for more surgical details:Often buttock implants provide the added curve to the "hips" that most patients are looking for. If not then actual hip implants can be placed either at the same time or instead of buttock implants. Unlike buttock implants, which should always be placed under/within the gluteus maximus muscle, hip implants are placed under just the fascia because no significant muscle exists in this region. However, because they are much smaller and lighter, their likelihood of migration is relatively low. Unfortunately fat grafting to the hip area is frequently met with poor success because, again, there is no muscle there to place the fat into and thus is does not survive. Another thing is, if you are asked to purposely gain weight (i.e. fat) for the procedure, the fat you lose first as you get back to your baseline weight after surgery is that very same fat that was transferred into your buttock/hip...so don't fall victim to this recommendation.  Glad to help.

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

It is very difficult to determine the exact size and shape implant you will require to best match your ideal butt image without an examination by a board certified plastic surgeon. Not just any board certified plastic surgeon, but one with many years of frequently performing breast augmentation surgery including different approaches, techniques and implant choices. This is because several measurements not to mention your breast characteristics are needed to determine the optimal implant size to obtain your goals. Without knowing these dimensions it would be difficult to make this determination. For example, the existing base width of your buttock will determine, in many cases, the maximal volume per implant profile that you can accommodate. Liposuction of your lower back and fat transfer is also helpful as an adjunct to implants. Using “want to be” photos however are useful if simply provided to the surgeon.

Douglas M. Senderoff, MD, FACS · Answer

The answer to your question depends on whether or not you have realistic expectations for your desired results.  Yes, you can increase the size of your hips and buttock by working out but not significantly.  Liposuction of the waist with fat transfer and/or buttock implants is the best way to ensure the results you are looking for.  Unless, of course you are lucky enough to be born it.

Ethan Philpott, MD · Answer

It is a noble goal to set for the gym; however, gluteus medius muscle bulk will not make a significant difference in that "dent"

Is it possible to work out the gluteus medium enough to get that hour glass shape, if your hips dip/concave inwards? (Photos)

Answers (4)

Answer: Unlikely

Answer: Unlikely

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Butt Augmentation

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

Is it possible to work out the gluteus medium enough to get that hour glass shape, if your hips dip/concave inwards? (Photos)

Answers (4)

Answer: Unlikely

Answer: Unlikely

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Butt Augmentation

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