People who want more of an hourglass silhouette are sometimes interested in hip dip fat transfer surgery. You may wonder, “ What is a hip dip surgery ?”
It is a procedure where your plastic surgeon removes a little excess fat from an area where you don’t want it and then uses that fat to fill in the “hip dip area.” In case you don’t know, the hip dip refers to a slight indentation of the outer hip; it is the area slightly above where your thigh starts.
Please keep in mind this article isn’t offering medical advice. There are multiple factors involved in deciding whether someone is a good candidate for plastic surgery. This needs to be done under the care of a qualified plastic surgeon who has examined you and understands your needs. It is a starting point in helping you identify options to research and explore.
Yes, Hip Dips are Real, Even if They Sound Too Good to Be True
During the hip dip, your doctor takes unwanted far from your lower belly, thighs, or buttocks to implant into the hip dip. This results in an aesthetically pleasing hip-to-waist ratio. However, it isn’t a substitute for weight loss if you are overweight. The amount removed is small. It can help with subtly re-sculpting your proportions if that is your goal.
Benefits of Hip Dip Surgery include:
- Curvier looking hips
- A waist that looks smaller in comparison
- Loss of a small amount of unwanted fat
- Whenever you get an implant, there is always a risk the body might reject it, but in this case, it is your own fat, so your body is unlikely to
- Minor surgery with minimal downtime
- Long-lasting results
Not everyone has a noticeable hip dip. It depends on your body type and where your body distributes weight. This means the results look natural.
What to Expect During Hip Dip
Your plastic surgeon administers local anesthesia so you will feel comfortable during the procedure. Typically, it takes three to four hours. The first part is liposuction, where some fat is vacuumed out through super slender tubes called cannulas.
Next, that fat is cleaned using a centrifuge and put in a syringe. Your surgeon injects it into the hip dip area. Most often, you won’t need stitches at the injection site. The transferred fat connects with your body’s blood supply and permanently stays in the area.
Since it is surgery, you will need to recover at home. Most people need about one week to recover, so plan to take that time off. The bruising may take a little longer to recover; some people have bruises for about two weeks,
It’s important to follow your plastic surgeon’s instructions regarding temporary lifestyle changes, pain management, and follow-up care to help ensure your safety and satisfactory results. For the next month or so, you will need to sleep on your back (not your side) and avoid vigorous exercise.
The results from the fat injection take time to unfold since not all the fat injected will survive. It may take months to see the final results. Anywhere from 30% to 70% of the injected fat won’t take and will flush out of your body, according to the Annals of Medicine and Surgery .
Who is a Good Candidate for Hip Dip Surgery?
Since hip dip is an elective procedure, it is best for people who are generally healthy. This includes nonsmokers who are close to their healthy weight range. Please note this is for your safety. Smoking makes it more challenging to heal correctly, and an exceptionally high body weight makes it hard to administer anesthesia safely.
In addition, hip dip surgery is best for people who don’t have pre-existing conditions that increase the risk of side effects such as bleeding disorders.
Choosing the Right Plastic Surgeon
Choosing the right plastic surgeon is a critical part of your cosmetic enhancement journey.
Here are some important factors to keep in mind:
- Consider opting for a board-certified plastic surgeon, possibly certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery or a similar reputable professional organization in your country. While some competent surgeons may not have this certification, it’s a mark of excellence and dedication to the profession.
- Even if your procedure isn’t happening in a hospital, verify that your surgeon has operating privileges in an accredited hospital for the procedure you’re considering. Hospitals conduct background checks.
- Look for a surgeon who has a proven track record with the procedure you’re considering. Ask about how many times they’ve performed the procedure and their complication rates, and also ask to see photos of their prior work.
- If you know someone who had plastic surgery, ask them for their plastic surgeon’s contact and whether they would recommend them.
- Consider reviews and testimonials from former patients. These can offer insights into others’ experiences with the surgeon and their team.
- You should feel at ease with your surgeon. They should be able to answer all your questions clearly and make you feel comfortable. This is why a consultation is so crucial, as it gives you a chance to gauge whether you feel at ease with the doctor.
Remember, plastic surgery is a significant decision, and you should trust the plastic surgeon and the team. Take your time to research your options.
Your Next Step: Schedule a Consultation
If you live in the Charlotte, NC, area, we hope you will consider Charlotte Plastic Surgery. We have been a trusted name in the region for decades and have a proven track record. In fact, CPS is a multi-year winner of Charlotte Magazine’s BOB (Best of the Best) Awards.
We feel so privileged that the Charlotte community trusts their appearance to us. We love seeing the confident smiles during follow-up appointments when patients are thrilled with their results. Contact us today to schedule your consultation.
