What is the difference between "Lower Flank" and "Love Handles?"

Question

I asked for SmartLipo to be used on my love handles and pointed to my hips/waist area. That area did not show any difference. My receipt shows I paid for rear "lower flank" and I'm not exactly sure what "lower flank" means. I had no noticeable results anywhere on my body, even though I also paid for upper and lower abdomen. I have no electronic photos, sorry. It has been 8 months since the procedure.

Gary Lawton, MD, FACS · Answer

It is likely that those terms are being used by different surgeons to describe the same area.  In fact we call the love handles the hips.   It is the mid-trunk area the back that is opposite the abdomen.

Marco A. Pelosi III, MD, FACOG, FACS · Answer

Love handles is slang for bulging fat along the lower flanks. I usually mark out the areas that need work, confirm with the patient using a full length mirror, photograph the markings and we worry about the names later. Lack of results probably has more to do with over conservative technique than with the names they gave the areas.

Bruce E. Katz, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. The areas are the
same but sometimes the doctors may refer to the site using different
terminology. It is best to consult with your surgeon when deciding which area
would best be treated for Smartlipo. Good luck in your treatment.

Daniel P. Friedmann, MD · Answer

Different people use different terms to describe the same area, especially when it comes to the lower back/sides in women. What is called the flank in a man is known as the waist in a woman (or at least that is the most often agreed upon anatomic equivalent). It is most likely that that is what they meant by "lower flank." The true anatomic flank in a woman is the pocket of fat at bra level (or immediately below it.)

What is the difference between "Lower Flank" and "Love Handles?"

Answers (4)