Hip dips, also known as violin hips, are the inward curves just below the hip bone that create a dip on the outer side of the upper thigh. They are caused by the shape of the pelvis and the distribution of fat and muscle in the hip area. While hip dips are completely normal and do not pose any health risks, some people admire a fuller, more curvaceous look. Since many individuals may feel self-conscious about this variation in their body shape, they seek ways to enhance their curves and achieve a smoother silhouette. Luckily, with a safe, customizable fat transfer procedure, such as a BBL, this can be achieved.
New York Surgical Arts is committed to providing the highest level of patient care and safety. Dr. Gordon Andan is a skilled board-certified cosmetic surgeon and researcher within the cosmetic surgery field who serves the areas of New York City and Garden City. With our state-of-the-art facilities and Dr. Andan’s expertise, you can trust that you are in capable hands. To schedule your consultation, give us a call at (516) 746-0155 or visit our website to fill out our contact form. With a procedure to smooth out hip dips, you will be able to embrace the curves you desire and display your unique beauty with confidence.
Contents
Why Do Some People Have Hip Dips?
Genes are the main culprit for the development of hip dips. Our genetics play a role in how the bones, muscles, and fat of the pelvis form. For the most part, it depends on the angle of our hip sockets to the ilium, the bony upper part of the pelvis that sticks out. Some people have hip sockets that are quite far from the ilium, so it creates more prominent hip dips. They can be exaggerated even more if the skin tends to reshape more tightly around the top of the femur.
Many times this phenomenon occurs with wide, shapely hips, so it can look unusual to have these hollow depressions on the sides. Another aspect to consider is the musculature and fat distribution in the area. The gluteus medius is the muscle that lies directly on top of the hip dip itself. While it is able to grow through working out, exercise can’t change the anatomy of the bones, so the hip dips remain for the most part.
Benefits of Hip Dip Treatment
Hip dip correction offers a range of aesthetic benefits. Here are some of the reasons to consider filling in those indentations:
- It can help promote an hourglass figure.
- You’ll be able to wear tight-fitting clothes with more confidence.
- It can help your lower and upper body look more balanced and matched with each other.
- Treatments utilize minimally invasive liposuction techniques.
Personal Consultation
During your personal consultation, Dr. Andan will carefully review your medical history and discuss your specific cosmetic goals and concerns. He will examine the shape and contour of your hips, taking into consideration the extent of your hip dips and any other factors that may contribute to their appearance. Understanding the underlying anatomy of your hips is crucial in determining the most effective treatment options. To schedule your consultation in New York City or Garden City, New York, call us at (516) 746-0155 or fill out our form for a virtual consultation.
Procedure to Fix Hip Dips
Essentially, there are two variations of the same procedure to enhance the hips and smooth out hip dips. At your consultation, Dr. Andan will go over the exact procedure steps to ensure you fully understand his techniques.
BBL
A BBL, or a Brazilian butt lift, is a more comprehensive approach to changing the contours of your hips because it adds volume to your buttocks as well. After administering anesthesia, Dr. Andan will make an incision of about 2 millimeters in a fatty area such as the abdomen, flanks, or legs. He will then inject tumescent fluid which is a mixture of lidocaine and epinephrine to numb the area and allow the fat to be easily extracted. The fat is collected with a suction device called a cannula before it is purified. Once the fat is prepared properly, he will load syringes of the fat and inject them into the hip dips and other areas of the buttocks.
In one study, 75% of surgeons reported that they injected 200 to 399 ml of fat per buttock. This same study also found that injections of 500 ml of fat in each buttock were the highest and safest amount that could be grafted. (1) Dr. Andan can modify the BBL so that the fat cells are used to fill in hip dips more than provide volume to the buttocks. Though it is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure, patients are required to wear a compression garment around the buttocks for several weeks. This will allow the fat cells to properly integrate into the buttocks and hips, reduce swelling, and create a smoother appearance.
Skinny BBL
Standard BBLs are typically recommended for patients with a body fat percentage over 20% so that surgeons can easily extract an adequate amount of fat. (2) Dr. Andan, however, employs a different technique for those with less body fat- the Skinny BBL. With this type of BBL, Dr. Andan harvests fat from multiple areas so that there is no one area that is over-sculpted.
How Safe Are BBLs?
Some patients express concern over the safety of BBLs. The good news is that this procedure has been made safer than ever. As of 2017, the Gluteal Fat Grafting Task Force of ASERF (Aesthetic Surgery Education and Research Foundation) provided surgeons with new data on how to best perform BBLs. As a result of the release of these new guidelines and techniques, complication rates from this procedure have reduced significantly in the past few years. (3)
Preparation for a BBL
Dr. Andan will first order a few blood tests to ensure that you’re in good health and have no underlying conditions that can affect the quality of your surgery. He requires all patients to stop taking blood thinners and anti-inflammatories that have the potential to cause excess bleeding and/or bruising. Dr. Andan will also strongly advise patients who smoke to quit 4 to 6 weeks before the scheduled procedure. This will allow your circulatory system to work at its best and help you heal quickly. You will also want to work on maintaining a stable weight so that you’ll be able to maintain your final results for many years to come.
You should work on making your life easier while you recover. First of all, you should arrange for someone to pick you up and take you home after your procedure. You should set up your home so that it’s easy to navigate, have meals that are easy to prepare, and buy some over-the-counter medications approved by Dr. Andan.
Candidates for Hip Dip Removal
Candidates for any fat transfer procedure are individuals who have been deemed to be in good general health with no conditions that affect their body’s blood clotting abilities. Ideally, you should be a non-smoker or be willing to quit for a few weeks to allow optimal healing. You should also have skin that is healthy enough to undergo body contouring, with good elasticity. Finally, it’s important to have realistic expectations for your procedure.
Cost of a Fat Transfer Procedure in New York City
The cost of a BBL or another fat transfer procedure can vary depending on several factors. At New York Surgical Arts, we understand that cost is an important consideration for our patients. We believe in transparency and want to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the expenses involved. An estimate will be given to you at the time of your personal consultation. For those interested in financing options, we offer CareCredit, United Medical Credit, and Alphaeon Credit to help you afford your procedure.
FAQ
Are BBLs permanent?
BBL results are permanent so long as you maintain a stable weight. With weight gain, the fat cells of your BBL (and the rest of your body) expand, while weight loss causes them to atrophy. The fat cells that successfully graft, however, will stay there for a lifetime.
How do I know if I need a BBL or skinny BBL?
Typically, BBLs are performed on patients with an average body mass index of 28. Skinny BBLs are more suited for patients with less prominent fat deposits who have a BMI that’s closer to 20.
How long is the recovery for a BBL?
Immediately after your procedure, you will be given a compression garment that you’ll have to wear for at least 4 weeks. Though, within 10 days, you’ll be able to return to a sedentary job. You will only be able to work out approximately 8 weeks after your surgery. Within 3 to 6 months, you’ll slowly begin to notice your final results.
References
- Conde-Green A, Cansancao AL, Rosique RG, Junqueira Rosique M, Cervantes A. Abstract. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open. 2018;6:82-83. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/01.gox.0000546929.57725.02
- O’Neill RC, Abu-Ghname A, Davis MJ, Chamata E, Rammos CK, Winocour SJ. The Role of Fat Grafting in Buttock Augmentation. Semin Plast Surg. 2020;34(1):38-46. doi:10.1055/s-0039-3401038
- Luis Rios, Jr, MD , Varun Gupta, MD, MPH, Improvement in Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) Safety With the Current Recommendations from ASERF, ASAPS, and ISAPS, Aesthetic Surgery Journal, Volume 40, Issue 8, August 2020, Pages 864–870, https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sjaa098