The "Hip Dip" - What is hip dip surgery? Ask The Expert

What is hip dip surgery?

As we all seek perfection in our lives, we have perhaps become more demanding about what we will accept with our appearance. There are numerous areas of our bodies that we can correct or enhance and there are new techniques that make this easier to achieve than ever before. One common complaint about body form is that of hip dips and people often enquire about hip dip surgery. This procedure is available for both men and women, but it is more commonly women who opt for this.

The reasons that women seek hip dip surgery is because of the expectations around body shape. The ‘usual’ form would be to see curves that come out around the hips and then go back in at the thighs. When there is a different shape around this area it is common for people to want to correct this.

Cosmetic Surgery

Fat Transfer to Body

Fat transfer uses natural fat deposits from your body to add volume to other areas.

Why are hip dips bad?

You won’t be surprised by our answer here; hip dips are not inherently bad. As experts when it comes to hip dip surgery we can confidently say that hip dips are neither good nor bad. As is the case with anything that adds to our physical appearance, we are all unique and there is no set ‘normal’. While there may be images of how we believe we should look, that doesn’t mean that we all have the same body types that will achieve this.

So if there is nothing wrong with hip dips, you may be wondering why people seek to correct them. This is first and foremost an issue that relates to self-confidence. People want to feel comfortable with their appearance. Whether that is just about day to day life or activities such as swimming or time on a beach, we all need to feel comfortable in our own skin. When options exist to correct parts of our appearance that we are uncomfortable with, it makes sense to explore these.

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Can you actually fix hip dips with surgery?

There are several options that can be considered when it comes to rectifying hip dips. As the dips are caused by bone structure rather than fat or muscle, there is nothing that can be done naturally to remedy their appearance. It is possible that exercising and building muscle tone around the area can hide how noticeable hip dips are but it can not do away with them entirely. The other options, that give a far better outcome, are surgical procedures. A consultation with an expert can allow you to explore which option is best for you.

For some, the best solution could be hip augmentation surgery. In simple terms, this is a hip lift and sees silicone implants being placed around the hips. These implants can be custom made to ensure that they give the exact outcome that is being sought. It is also possible to be treated with injections that stimulate collagen production. These can lead to hips looking fuller but the effects only last for around 2 years. A third option is fat transfer to the hips.

How does fat transfer to hips work?

Cosmetic Surgery

Fat Transfer to Body

Fat transfer uses natural fat deposits from your body to add volume to other areas.

Fat transfer to hips is a common procedure that is used to correct hip dips. With this treatment, liposuction is used to remove fat from one area of the body. This fat is then transferred into the hips. This gives a fuller appearance to the hips and is achieved by using fat from your own body. The fat is commonly taken from the buttocks, stomach or inner thigh and is removed through a small incision that is made. This incision will then be stitched and bandaged. The fat itself is then prepared by a machine that removes any fluids from it. Once this has been completed, the fat is injected into the hips.

The main benefit of fat transfer to hips is that it is much less invasive than other hip dip surgery. This means that recovery times are faster, but you still get the desired outcome that you were seeking. Another advantage is that you can reduce unwanted fat from other areas of your body as part of the procedure.

Where can I get hip dip surgery in the UK?

As hip dip surgery is seen as cosmetic surgery, it is not available through the NHS. Certain cosmetic procedures may be catered for but this is only the case if the issue is causing severe psychological distress. This means that to undergo this surgery you need to seek out a private practice such as the Cadogan Clinic.

When searching for a private clinic to carry out hip dip surgery it is important to check that it is registered with the Care Quality Commission. This is a requirement for anywhere that carries out cosmetic surgery as it allows for inspections which lead to satisfaction reports being published. It is also important to consider the experience and expertise of the surgeon who will be carrying out the procedure. You need to know that they are specialists in this field and that they have received positive satisfaction ratings from previous patients. You also need to consider the aftercare that is provided after the surgery has been completed.

How much does hip dip surgery cost?

The cost of hip dip surgery can vary depending upon the clinic that is used and the expertise of the surgeon involved. When considering the costs, it is important to realise that the process actually involves 2 surgeries side by side. The first sees fat being removed from one part of the body (liposuction) while the second sees it being injected into the hips.

In the UK people seeking this procedure can expect it to cost anywhere between £4,500 and £8,000. Unlike filler injections, this is not a treatment that needs to be repeated every 2 years. With fat transfer to hips, roughly 50-70% of fat should ‘take’ (the rest is simply absorbed back into the body), but this is taken into consideration at the time the fat is harvested from your body and your surgeon will ensure the right quantities are transferred to account for this.