If you look at any female celebrity, you probably notice that their hips are perfectly “hour-glassed,” making for a slim and pristine physique. Some people are just naturally born with this natural body composition, while others may have indentations around their hips that otherwise impede on this desirable look.
These are called hip dips, and they refer to indentations around the curvature of the hips to your thighs. They’re sometimes referred to as violin hips, as they resemble the curves that you see on the instrument.
If you choose, you can get rid of those indents with a surgical procedure.
Let’s walk through everything you need to know about hip fat, including ways to achieve your desired look.
What Causes Hip Dips?
The indentations on the sides of hips can happen when the skin in that area is tightly attached to the trochanter, the deeper part of the thigh bone. Differences in the way that muscles and tissue attach to this bone can have an effect on your physical appearance.
Differences in the distribution and amount of fat in your body can make these indentations appear more prominently. With that said, there’s nothing dangerous about them, and they don’t present any risk to you medically. But if your hip dips make you feel self-conscious, or you just want to make a change towards your best body, there is a solution.
Hip Fat Removal/ Reduction Surgery
You’ve probably heard of the plastic surgery called liposuction before. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not just about removing fat from a specific area. It’s about redistributing fat to ensure that the natural contours of the body are preserved.
Liposuction of the hips, sometimes referred to as liposculpting, is a procedure where fat is grafted from another area of the body and injected into the trochanter area to eliminate the indentations. Alternatively, fat may be removed from the hip area to contour the silhouette more appropriately.
Your plastic surgeon will talk with you about which route makes more sense.
The amount of removed fat during this procedure is less about your desired post-operation size and more about your skin elasticity and ability to re-drape to the new contour after the fat is displaced.
Also Read: Hip Dips: What Are They & How Do You Get Rid Of Them?
What to Expect During Hip Dips Surgery
Getting plastic surgery is an exciting way to improve your confidence and boost your self-esteem, but it’s normal to be nervous.
Here is what you can expect before, during, and after the procedure:
Before
You can’t just walk into a clinic and get hip fat removed… but that’s a good thing! Consulting with your plastic surgeon ahead of time is an essential component of the process, ensuring that the surgery goes as smoothly as possible.
When you meet with your clinician, they’re going to ask you about your goals for getting the treatment, allergies or medical conditions, current medications, or any previous surgeries you’ve had. It’s important to be open and honest to keep yourself safe.
Additionally, your surgeon will evaluate your general health and take some photographs as references to see your results before and after. They’ll also discuss your liposuction options and talk to you about any potential risks or complications that can come from the procedure.
This is the time to ask any and all questions you might have. Your plastic surgeon is there to help you through the process and will be more than happy to address any concerns or anxieties you may be feeling.
During
The day of the procedure, your plastic surgeon may mark your skin as reference for when they start the procedure. This will also help you visualize how the incisions will look and where any potential scarring may reside.
After that, you’ll be sedated with some form of anesthesia, either locally or generally. Your plastic surgeon will recommend a course of action. In general, local anesthesia is a better option for smaller incisions and procedures.
Next, the liposuction surgery is performed. Small incisions will be made in areas around the hips where fat needs to be removed. Then a thin tube, or cannula, is inserted into the incisions to loosen up excess fat with a back and forth motion. When the fat is dislodged, it is sucked out with a surgical vacuum or syringe, depending on the amount of fat present.
If your procedure involves removing fat from one part of the body and then placing it into the trochanter area, then a machine will be used to spin the dislodged fat to remove any excess fluid. After that, a syringe is used to inject the fat into the hip dips.
After
Some swelling and fluid retention is normal after the procedure, so it may take some time for you to really be able to see your results.
As far as the recovery process goes, a compression garment will be placed over treatment areas to control swelling and compress the skin to your new body contours. Also, temporary drains may be placed in existing incisions to remove any excess blood or fluid.
Your plastic surgeon will give you specific instructions as far as how to care and clean your wounds, what activities you’ll be unable to do for a while, and some other specific guidelines to ensure a successful recovery.
Benefits of Removing Hip Fat
As with all plastic surgeries, the greatest benefit is that you can improve your self-image and gain back some confidence. While having hips dips is normal and doesn’t present any risks, you should have authority to sculpt your body however you please.
Liposuction is just one of many cosmetic procedures that can get you closer to feeling like your best self.
Potential Risks of Liposuction
Fat grafting and liposuction procedures are popular and common procedures that plastic surgeons complete on a regular basis. But like any surgery, there are some potential risks that you’ll want to be aware of.
It’s possible that fat may migrate, or dimple, at the injection site, resulting in an appearance that you weren’t necessarily expecting. Additionally, there may be some scarring, bruising, or pain at the site of any incision.
Subsequent procedures and surgeries may be necessary to address some possible adverse effects that you may experience. Your plastic surgeon will help you decide if that’s ever necessary.
Is Hip Liposuction Right for You?
Being a good candidate for a plastic surgery procedure is imperative to ensure that you respond well to the treatment and that the results mimic your ideals. A good candidate for liposuction is someone who is overall healthy and has a specific goal in mind for body contouring.
If you’re looking to get liposuction purely for fat loss, you’ll likely be asked to be within 30% of your ideal weight, as taking too much fat can be dangerous for your health.
Also, if you have areas of fat deposits on your body that don’t respond to diet or exercise, then liposuction may be a good option.
Hip Exercises
Plastic surgery is a mix of medical procedures and a healthy lifestyle. Even after your hip liposuction, there are some exercises you can do to maintain your ideal body shape and size.
Lunges and squats are staples of a workout regimen for a reason, as they can help shape the curvature and muscles in your hips. For toned buttocks and glutes, squats are a great way to lengthen the muscles connection to your thighs. Try adding ten to fifteen pound weights to these exercises to enhance their effectiveness.
A more advanced exercise you can try to increase your hip mobility is a single leg romanian deadlift. Hold a dumbbell in your left hand, keep your spine straight, and bring your torso parallel to the floor while your right leg remains on the ground. This is a tough exercise that you can repeat on both sides to improve your balance while also toning your glutes.
Wrap Up
Having excess or uneven fat on your hips is normal and doesn’t pose any medical risks. However, if they’re depleting your self-confidence, liposuction or hip dip surgery may be right for you.
During the liposuction procedure, small incisions are made in fatty areas. A special tool is used to dislodge the fat, where it is then removed with a special vacuum. If need be, this fat is cleansed and injected into another area of the body to improve the contour in that location.
Getting rid of hip fat can give you a brand new perspective on yourself, letting you lead a happier and healthier lifestyle. Even after your surgery, it’s important to maintain your body’s curves with some hip exercises like squats, lunges, and romanian deadlifts.
If you’re ready to take a step towards achieving your best body, PH-1 Miami is ready to help you match your goals. Dr. Okhah is an experienced plastic surgeon who specializes in body contouring, so you’ll be in good hands.
Fill out your inquiry form here, and we’ll be looking forward to seeing a brand new you.
Sources:
Importance of the position of the greater trochanter | National Library of Medicine
Liposuction Candidates | American Society of Plastic Surgeons
