Question 1

What are hip implants?

Accepted Answer

Made of soft semi-solid silicone rubber, cosmetic hip implants are designed to mimic natural muscle tissue. Inserted via a small incision just above the hip bone, hip implants can enhance the contour of the outer hips, reduce the appearance of hip dips (aka “violin hips”), and create a more hourglass figure.

Hip implants are the most invasive—and the only permanent—option for hip augmentation, and they‘re usually custom-made for each individual patient. “Because of the slight differences in anatomy from one patient to the next and a very narrow margin for error, precise sizing is required for each patient’s cosmetic hip implants,” says Dr. Ryan Stanton, a plastic surgeon in Los Angeles.

This isn‘t a common plastic surgery procedure. Most surgeons who advertise “hip dip surgery“ perform hip augmentation via fat transfer, using the patient's own excess fat that’s harvested via liposuction. They often combine that procedure with a Brazilian butt lift, which is also performed via body fat transfer.

However, implant-based hip augmentation is becoming more popular among both cis and transgender women. At Dr. Stanton‘s practice, interest in the procedure is growing at a faster rate than buttock enhancement procedures. “Three years ago, I was probably performing about three cosmetic hip implants a month. Now the number has tripled,” he says.

Still, the number of providers who routinely perform the procedure is low, and some surgeons actively steer people away from permanent hip implants. Like butt implants, hip implants are “pretty tricky procedures,” says Dr. Mats Hagstrom, a San Francisco plastic surgeon. “The majority of plastic surgeons don’t do them.”

Question 2

What are the pros and cons of hip implants?

Accepted Answer

Pros:

Hip implants can increase the width of your hip span, improve the look of your legs, and help create a more hourglass figure.
Unlike hip augmentation via fat transfer, where as much as 50% of fat may not survive beyond a few months, hip implant body sculpting results are much more predictable. Implants are custom-made for your body size, anatomy, and desired result.
They can be an especially good augmentation option when a patient is too thin to undergo fat transfer. That’s an uncommon occurrence, though, due to the lower volume of fat required for hips compared to the butt. “Often smaller, thin patients who have hip dips can have them corrected because they don’t need a lot of fat to fill this area,” says Dr. Karl William Schwarz, a plastic surgeon in Miami. “Most often, there is just enough excess fat in the love handles to fill the hip dip and then add a little projection as well.”
Unlike breast implants, hip implants aren’t filled with gel, so there’s no worry of leak or rupture. They’re also considered lifetime devices.
The scar shouldn’t be visible when wearing a bikini or underwear.
This cosmetic procedure can be a good complement to buttock augmentation via butt implants or a BBL, and the two procedures are often done together. It can also be combined with breast augmentation.

Cons:

Hip implants can have a higher complication rate than other body implants, according to Dr. Barry Eppley, a plastic surgeon in Carmel, Indiana. This is partly due to their location, which exposes them to more motion and flexion.
Some patients report long-term pain or discomfort.
If the implant is removed, it’s possible to be left with sagging skin.
There’s no guarantee you’ll be happy with the results, or even notice them—some RealSelf members don’t see much of a difference. KauCow, who had 500cc implants to plump her hip area, only increased her hip measurement by an inch.
In some angles or positions, you may be able to see or feel the implant.
Hip implant surgery is usually pricier than fat transfer.
Due to the popularity of fat grafting for hip augmentation, few board-certified plastic surgeons specialize in hip implants. That means you may have to travel to find an experienced provider who can properly execute the surgery. That added expense may be worth it: “More than just about any other cosmetic surgery, this procedure has a very steep learning curve with little room for error,” says Dr. Stanton.

Question 3

How much do hip implants cost?

Accepted Answer

The average cost of hip implants is type: embedded-entry-inline id: 6aTOuvi443nRPfQzwP6tIP, according to patient reviews on RealSelf.

Your price will depend on your provider's level of experience, their location (and overhead costs), and the details of your procedure. For example, add-ons like liposuction will increase your total bill.

Question 4

Who’s a good candidate for hip implants?

Accepted Answer

Most healthy adults can undergo hip augmentation safely. During your initial consultation, your surgeon will ask you about your medical history and lifestyle. To ensure surgery is safe for you, you’ll have to undergo a basic physical exam and do routine blood work.

People of all genders seek out hip dip surgery via implants, but it’s particularly popular for transgender women and some cisgender women with narrower hips who want to create a more traditionally feminine figure.

The quality of skin in the hip area plays a significant role in whether you‘re a good candidate. Younger patients usually have thicker skin and more dense tissue, which produces a more seamless outcome, says Dr. Stanton.

“The density and quality of tissue coverage—skin, fat, and underlying fascia—is often more important than how much fat the patient has in the hip area,” he explains.

Some patients—for instance, those who’ve had prior liposuction of the hips, or substances such as liquid silicone injected—have to be evaluated very carefully and the implants made of a conservative thickness.

Another common scenario is patients who’ve had a BBL where much of the fat didn’t survive. “These patients are evaluated by physical exam on a case-by-case basis to make sure their tissue is still of good enough quality to undergo cosmetic hip implant surgery,” says Dr. Stanton.

Question 5

What happens during hip implant surgery?

Accepted Answer

This cosmetic procedure is usually performed on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia. “The more relaxed the patient is, the better I can get my job done,” says Dr. Stanton.

Here’s how it typically works:

The surgeon makes a 1.5”-long incision at the belt or bikini line, slightly above the hip bone.
Through this incision, they create a pocket in the shape of the implant in the fascia layer, a type of connective tissue.
They place the implant into the pocket, just on top of the IT (iliotibial) band, the tendon that runs the length of the outer thigh, to help hold it in place.
The incision is closed with dissolvable stitches.

Some providers use an intergluteal fold incision (aka an incision between your butt cheeks) that’s very similar to how buttock implants are placed. “It’s a far-away approach, but it’s been successful,” says Dr. Samir Shureih, a plastic surgeon in Baltimore. Be sure to discuss how the implants will be placed during your surgery prior to the procedure.

The surgery typically takes about 1.5 hours.

Afterward, you’ll recover for another hour before being released to head home with a responsible adult.

Question 6

Are hip implants safe?

Accepted Answer

Hip implants are considered safe when the procedure is performed by an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon.

That said, they do come with risks and potential side effects.

As with other types of body implants, risks include infection, bleeding, asymmetry, capsular contracture, and displacement. RealSelf member KuaCow had her hip implants removed after a year because one of them shifted and folded in on itself, leaving her in a lot of pain.
Because hip implants aren’t placed under or within a muscle, the rate of fluid collection, aka seroma, has traditionally been quite high with hip implants, according to Dr. Stanton (though he has been able to reduce the rate among his patients). This may require revisits to your provider to have the fluid drained as you heal.
Hip implants can also flip, although recent modifications in implant design have reduced the rate of this complication to 5%.

Because there’s very little subcutaneous fat between the skin and underlying fascia with a very tight adherence in the hip area, placing an implant can be problematic due to the lack of good soft tissue cover, says Dr. Eppley. This complaint is commonly reported by RealSelf members, including CestLaa_Vie, who ultimately had her implants removed, and Maria1076, who says the outline of her implant is so noticeable that she can’t wear a bathing suit anymore. “Unfortunately, implants are static objects that don’t expand and contract normally with muscle movements or with flexion and extension around joints,” says Dr. Stanton. In some cases, a fat transfer is necessary to cover the edges of the implant.

Question 7

How long does hip implant recovery take?

Accepted Answer

Patients usually return to work after about a week of recovery time, though it takes 6–8 weeks to fully heal. Here’s what you can expect during that time:

Immediately post-op, your hip area will be swollen and painful. RealSelf members describe it as dull and aching, but bearable. “Most patients rate the pain at a level 6–6.5 out of 10,” says Dr. Stanton.
Your provider will probably prescribe pain medication for the first few days, when the discomfort will be most acute.
You‘ll be allowed to sit, lie down, stand, and walk immediately after having implants.
“The only activity that’s prohibited for the first three weeks is laying or sleeping on your sides,” to avoid putting pressure on the area, says Dr. Stanton.
Discomfort usually fades significantly over the first two weeks.
You may have a thin surgical drain in each hip to prevent a buildup of fluid (seromas).
You’ll likely be instructed to wear a compression garment for up to six weeks, to reduce fluid accumulation and swelling.
You‘ll need to avoid workouts and other strenuous activities as you heal, but lower body exercises can be resumed at low intensity starting at six weeks postop.

HIP IMPLANTS

Karyn Repinski

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Karyn Repinski

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