Will Liposuction on the Flanks Make Me Look Less Curvy and More Boxy?

Question

Hi! I am interested in getting liposuction in my flanks area. I am Latina and I have always had curves, but in the last 4 months I noticed that I gained weight in my flank area and now you can see some fat bulging out. I have a butt (not Kim Kardashian) but a nice one, and I am afraid of losing my curves if I get liposuction on the flanks. If I do this procedure, well it make me look less curvy and boxy. Is there anything else I can do to help me lose those extra inches off my flanks. Thank you!

York Jay Yates, MD · Answer

You should discuss your goals with your plastic surgeon.  Liposuction can be used to remove the unwanted fat.  Nothing need be done to the fat that you find desirable.  In general, flank liposuction accentuates your curves in the buttock area.

Ron Shelton, MD · Answer

Liposuction with a small cannula done meticulously can reshape the waist, flanks, hips, outer thighs and abdomen in those patients who need just a small amount done to reshape them when exercise and diet no longer helps.  For those patients who would rather not undergo a surgical procedure and do not have very much to remove, may find a significant fat reduction over a few months from one treatment with Zeltiq CoolSculpting.  This FDA-cleared device chills the fat and allows for long term fat reduction as it does not just remove the fat from the fat cells but makes some of those fat cells in the site being treated die and the body metabolizes them.  No surgery, and a one hour treatment can make a long term difference.  Again, it is not a replacement for liposuction in patients with larger fat accumulations, but there are those patients such as you that just need a small reduction, or patients with larger fat stores that are not good surgical candidates for medical reasons or just are afraid of undergoing surgery. Zeltiq should then be a consideration.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

The photos are failry dark, but in general liposuction of the flanks can be done to accentuate the buttock region without removing tissue from the buttocks.

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD · Answer

Your flank liposuction can be successfully done but it must be carried out with great finesse for you to have a satisfactory result. It would be important that you clearly explain to your plastic surgeon the exact size and location of the areas so you do not end up being over-reduced which could easily happen. Your flank liposuction is more like liposculpture where the use of small cannulas and a good eye for the subtle change needed is required to achieve your aesthetic goal.

Byron D. Poindexter, MD · Answer

Just a small amount of suction in the area your are highlighting will probably not cause issue.  If someone is aggressive with suction in the region the change could be to less attractive.  Your hip bones are wide enough that you would probably not get "boxy"

Will Liposuction on the Flanks Make Me Look Less Curvy and More Boxy?

Answers (6)

Answer: Flank Shaping With Liposuction Is Needed More Than Just Volume Reduction

Answer: Flank Shaping With Liposuction Is Needed More Than Just Volume Reduction

Answer: Liposuction for curvy figure

Answer: Liposuction for curvy figure

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Will Liposuction on the Flanks Make Me Look Less Curvy and More Boxy?

Answers (6)

Answer: Flank Shaping With Liposuction Is Needed More Than Just Volume Reduction

Answer: Flank Shaping With Liposuction Is Needed More Than Just Volume Reduction

Answer: Liposuction for curvy figure

Answer: Liposuction for curvy figure

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Liposuction

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