Wish you had Kim Kardashian’s sexy hourglass figure? Sieber Plastic Surgery located in San Francisco, hip dip surgery can help enhance your natural curves and create a smoother, more balanced silhouette through advanced plastic surgery techniques.
You’re not alone. Millions of women would give anything to have the curvy body shape of the famed reality star. It’s a silhouette that looks good in just about anything — from leggings and jeans, to tight dresses and bikinis.
Unfortunately, many women simply don’t have a natural hourglass figure, which essentially refers to a woman who has a small, defined waist and fuller, rounder hips and buttocks. In many cases, it’s not the waist or buttocks areas themselves that are the actually problem, however.
More often than not, it’s related to bone structure, including the shape of the hip bone, thigh bone, and overall pelvic width, along with how fat sits along the hip area. A natural inward curve between the hip and upper thigh can create what are commonly called hip dips. These are completely natural indentations and in fact, hip dips normal anatomy for many women. Still, some individuals feel self conscious about their silhouette.
The good news is that a relatively simple hip dips procedure may help soften the contour in the hip dip area and create smoother transitions along the outer thighs and inner thighs.
What is Hip Dip Surgery?
Never heard of a hip dip before? That’s probably because hip dip a relatively new term.
Before we go any further, let’s define hip dip.
Essentially, hip dips refer to the slight indentations that can sometimes be seen right at the top of the hips, on the outsides near the hip bone. Another term for a hip dip is “violin hips,” and the scientific term is trochanteric depressions.
According to personal trainers and fitness experts, hip dips cannot be “fixed” by simply working out your glutes. That’s because they are largely determined by skeletal anatomy and fat distribution. While exercise can strengthen surrounding muscles, it does not change the shape of your bones.
For some women, unwanted fat or uneven fat layers may accentuate the dip. While minor changes can occur with diet and exercise, especially when maintaining an ideal body weight and a stable weight, the underlying contour usually remains.
That’s where hip dip correction becomes an option.
How Can Hip Dips Be Fixed?
If you have hip dips and you’d like to get rid of them, there’s good news. Modern hip dip correction techniques can create smoother contours through a carefully planned surgical procedure.
In order to fix violin hips, you’ll typically undergo a hip dip fat transfer, which is a form of autologous fat grafting. This involves liposuction to harvest fat from another area of your body — often the abdomen, flanks, or thighs — followed by carefully injecting the purified fat into the indentation.
During liposuction, surgeons remove unwanted fat cells from donor areas. These fat cells are processed and reinjected into the hip dips. The newly transferred fat cells must establish blood supply in their new location for long-term success.
Some patients ask about hip augmentation using silicone implants or artificial fillers. However, many surgeons prefer fat transfer because it uses your own tissue, tends to look more natural, and avoids foreign materials. When performed by experienced, board certified surgeons, fat transfer is considered a low risk option for appropriate candidates.
A comprehensive consultation will include a review of your medical history, physical exam, and discussion of goals to ensure safe and effective hip dip correction.
What Happens During a Brazilian Butt Lift?
When fat is transferred to the hips and buttocks, the procedure is often referred to as a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) or Mini-BBL. In the context of hip dips, the goal is contour refinement rather than dramatic enlargement.
During surgery, excess fat is removed from donor areas and strategically placed into the hip dips to smooth the silhouette. This is different from patients seeking significant buttock projection.
In hip dip reshaping, surgeons focus specifically on balancing the contour visible from the front and back. The aim is refined symmetry — not exaggerated volume.
In some cases, liposuction around surrounding areas enhances overall body contouring, helping create a more defined waist-to-hip transition.
Hip Dip Surgery Before And After
Does Fat Grafting Really Work for Hip Dips?
Yes. Fat grafting can be highly effective for hip dip correction when performed correctly. In recent years, fat transfer procedures have become increasingly popular among many patients seeking subtle contour improvement.
However, it’s important to understand fat survival. Typically, about 60–70% of the transferred fat remains permanently. The body naturally reabsorbs some of the fat during healing. This process is normal and expected.
Because of this, surgeons may slightly overfill the area to compensate for anticipated absorption. In rare cases, some many patients may require a touch-up procedure if volume retention is lower than expected.
Proper post-operative care is critical. Avoiding prolonged pressure on the hips is essential to protect the grafted fat during early healing.
What Is Recovery From a Brazilian Butt Lift Like?
A Mini-BBL is often sufficient for hip dip reshaping. Surgery generally takes three to four hours under general anesthesia.
Before planning surgery, patients should expect to take about one week off from school or work. Most patients can return to light activities within 7–10 days.
Because this is an outpatient procedure, you may go home the same day. You will need someone to drive you home and assist during early recovery.
Swelling, bruising, and soreness are expected. Wearing compression garments and following your surgeon’s instructions supports optimal healing.
Candidates for this procedure should be in good health, at or near their ideal body weight, and able to maintain a stable weight long-term. Having sufficient donor fat is necessary to ensure adequate volume for transfer.
During consultation, your surgeon will discuss candidacy, review your goals, and set realistic expectations about outcome and symmetry.
Questions and Answers
How much does hip dip surgery cost?
The hip dip surgery cost varies based on the technique used, whether fat transfer or fillers are performed, and the complexity of your treatment plan. Factors such as the surgeon’s experience, facility fees, and anesthesia also influence the total investment. A personalized consultation is the best way to determine the exact cost for your specific goals.
What do hip dip filler surgery before and after results look like?
Hip dip filler surgery before and after results typically show a smoother outer hip contour and a more balanced waist-to-hip transition. The indentation along the hips appears softer and more blended with surrounding curves. Results are visible immediately but temporary, usually lasting 12 to 24 months. Mild swelling may be present in the early healing phase.
How Did the Kardashians Look Before Surgery?
The appearances of the Kardashians before undergoing cosmetic procedures varied. Like many individuals, they’ve undergone transformations over time.
Are Hip Dips Attractive?
Perceptions vary; some find them attractive, while others feel insecure about indentations. Many seek clinical treatments to reduce their appearance.
Is Kim K BBL Real?
Kim Kardashian denied rumors of butt implants but admitted to injections in a 2016 livestream, clarifying they were for psoriasis symptoms only.
Read to Say Goodbye to Your Hip Dips?
Dr. Sieber is a board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in reconstructive and cosmetic procedures of the breast, body, and face. Through extensive experience, he has helped many patients improve their confidence through advanced contouring techniques.
If you are interested in finally having the hourglass figure you’ve always wanted, a Brazilian butt lift fat transfer to fix a hip dip may be just what you’re looking for. Take the next step toward the body goals of your dreams today by booking a consultation appointment with Dr. Sieber San Francisco Plastic Surgeon!