Best treatment options for hip dips?

Question

Currently consulting for correction of hip dips. My first consults proposes liposuction of the posterior flanks. But I feel that won't be enough. What are thoughts about lipo to flanks and upper thighs and fat transfer to dented hip area for rounding out?

Johnny Franco, MD, FACS · Answer

I have a lot of patients in which their ultimate goal is to have improve their overall figure. They want a snatched waist and fuller hips.  It is very common to have hollowness to your lateral butt and hip area. 
  
There are several methods to treat the hip dip area depending on the severity and the ultimate desired outcome.  The most common way to treat the hips and lateral butt is fat transfer as this is typically done in combination with liposculpting.  The liposuction of the flanks (love handles) and the fat transfer to the hips and lateral butt will help patients achieve more of an hourglass figure.  The combination of the making the waist as small as possible and enhancing the hips is what produces the figure that most of my patients’ desire! 
  
A new treatment is the use of Renuva, which is a processed fat.  The benefits of the Renuva is that is a filler that can be injected in the office similar to other fillers. The fact that it is processed fat it has the benefit of providing long-term augmentation.  The difficult part of the Renuva is that it can be costly when not used in a selective manor. Renuva tends to be a great option for hip augmentation touch-ups or to fill specific areas on the hips or lateral butt.  It is difficult to use Renuva for an entire butt augmentation.  
  
Sculptra is another great product that can be used to augment the hips or lateral buttock.  Like the Renuva it is typically best used to fill specific areas of the buttock or hips.  A large amount of product is needed to perform an entire butt augmentation.  The Sculptra stimulates the body to create collagen and typically gives results that last up to a year and half.  
  
There are several good options available to treat the hip dip and improve your overall figure. The options range from surgery to office procedures that can be performed in under an hour.  The office procedures are typically a process as the majority of patients will need several treatments over a period of time to achieve the results they desire.  
  
Please consult with your Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon so that you he or she can discuss the options available to enhance your hips and ultimately improve your figure.

Edwin C. Pound, III, MD · Answer

It is hard to tell a whole lot from your picture, however, if you have indentations or depressions, fat is probably the best filler to use.  Purchased filler materials tend to come in such small amounts that they will not be cost effective, especially if you have to replenish them every so often.  You probably have enough fat that can be "borrowed" from elsewhere on your body and transferred into the depression.  Since it is your own tissue, if it survives the transfer, then it will be a permanent solution.  I have used fat for depressions in the hip/buttock/leg areas before with good success.  I would suggest that you consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon who can examine you and review your options with you.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

I think that you have a very nice shape, and you do not need much.  I use fat to fill in hip dents every day, and the technique is very effective. Find a board certified plastic surgeon who really sculpts patients without causing contour irregularities.Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

you may need a revision hi def body contouring procedure. I suggest seeing an expert for treatment options.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question.  The
best advice you can receive is from an in-person consultation.  With that
being said, based on your photographs, the best shape and contour could be
achieved with a combination of liposuction and fat grafting.   The most
important aspect is to find a surgeon you are comfortable with. I recommend
that you seek consultation with a qualified board-certified plastic surgeon who
can evaluate you in person.
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question and photograph. Nothing replaces an in-person examination but based on your picture you could perform selective liposuction of your low-back/posterior waist to further define your buttocks and accentuate your hips.  If you want further volume along your "dips" you can then use the harvested fat to augment the tissues along this area.  Hope this helps.

Ellen A. Mahony, MD · Answer

You have a beautiful figure and it sounds like you would like to smooth out the transitions between different areas.  Lipo is perfect for this, especially when starting with a great framework.  Here is what I would consider to maximize your shape, curves and proportion- all of which will enhance you lovely figure:
Lipo the following:
1. posterior hip/flank area to accentuate your small waist, give illusion of a longer back/waist.  This is the area starting just above your buttock region, which will eliminate your "hip dents."  The dents are not really dents, they are just the transition are between your flank (which is fuller) and your buttock curve which is sloping lower.  You don't have a dent, your flank above is just too full. In your case, fat grafting won't be needed.
2. upper outer thighs.  This will better define your lower buttock curve, giving your butt a curvier shape and improve your leg line
3.  Inner thighs. Restore the space between your legs and improve your leg line.  This will also enhance your buttock shape/curve.  I like to treat the inner thigh from the front and the back to maximize the contour.
4. Knees.  A few years from now they will be fuller and look too matronly, contouring them now will nicely soften the transition from your thigh to calf and improve your leg line.  Dresses will look better.
This type of liposuction is more comprehensive and thus more effective.  I would have you start in a face down position and then turn you onto your back. I've attached an example of an older woman who did the same.
Have a great summer!
In good health,
Ellen Mahony, MD

Jean Paul Giudicelli Saba, MD · Answer

Hi, thanks for sharing your concern and photos with us!
First I want to congratulate you for making this important decision. Deciding to get an aesthetic procedure to change your body and get a new life style is a big step!
  
Looking at your photos I might say that you´ll be a great candidate to get an entire abdomen, back and waist liposuction with BBL, this is because you have located fat that can be done with lipo.
  
Before all this, of course, you need to get a complete medical evaluation and laboratory exams to check everything is fine. For us your safety, always, is going to be first.
  
Have a great day! 
  
Dr. JPG

Best treatment options for hip dips?

Answers (8)