Venus Clinic is a hospital where only liposuction and fat transplant surgery is performed, minimizing the incidence of complications and always ready for the best results.

# Fat Grafting - Hip Fat Grafting

Filling hip dips for a continuous side line

Illustration of hip fat grafting marking the side hip area between the waist and outer thigh

This illustration was created with AI to aid understanding and does not show an actual surgical result.

A hollow on the side of the pelvis, between the buttock and the outer thigh, that makes the side line look interrupted is often called a hip dip. It is usually caused by the shape of the bones, muscles and the way fat is distributed, so it may not change with exercise or diet alone.

Hip fat grafting purifies fat harvested by liposuction from the waist, flanks or thighs and transfers it to this hollow to smoothly connect the side line from the waist through the hips to the thighs. When the waist is contoured at the same time, the waist-to-hip proportion changes as well.

Who May Consider It

Those with a visible hollow below the pelvis in side view
Those whose side curve looks flat because the waist is wide and the hips look narrow
Those who want to refine the side line together with waist and flank liposuction
Those concerned about differences between the left and right hips

How the Procedure Is Performed

STEP 1. Consultation and design

In a standing position, we mark the extent and depth of the hollow and any asymmetry. Because hollows caused by bone shape can only be filled to a limited degree, we explain this as well.

STEP 2. Contouring with liposuction

Under tumescent local anesthesia, fat is harvested from the waist, flanks and thighs while the waistline is contoured.

STEP 3. Purification

Only fat suitable for grafting is prepared.

STEP 4. Subcutaneous injection

Centered on the deepest point of the hollow, fat is placed in multiple layers within the subcutaneous layer above the muscle, parallel to the skin, using a blunt cannula.

Safety Principles

1. Never into the muscle. The side of the pelvis is continuous with the buttocks. As with the safety guidelines for buttock fat grafting, fat is injected only into the subcutaneous layer, not the muscle, in a direction parallel to the skin. A study analyzing more than 1,000 patients also reported injecting into the subcutaneous layer under this principle.

2. Respecting the limits of bone shape. Hollows caused by the shape of the pelvic bones themselves are difficult to eliminate completely with fat. Overfilling can increase lumps, calcification and absorption, so our goal is a naturally continuous contour.

3. Graft survival varies. How much of the transferred fat remains differs from person to person, so additional grafting is considered, if needed, after the volume has settled.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Is it possible if I am slim?

The key is where and how much fat can be obtained to fill the side of the hips. We first check the available donor areas and amounts through examination.

Q. Can it be combined with buttock fat grafting?

The sides of the hips and the buttocks are continuous, so they are often planned together. The principle of placing fat only in the subcutaneous layer, not the muscle, applies to both areas.

Recovery

Swelling and bruising may occur at the hips and donor areas, and a compression garment is worn over the donor areas. We will advise you not to lean on the grafted area or lie on your side for long periods.

※ Possible side effects include bleeding, infection, hematoma, variable fat graft survival, asymmetry, calcification and swelling. Results may vary from person to person.