How Does Fat Grafting Work with Hip Augmentation Surgery?

How Does Fat Grafting Work with Hip Augmentation Surgery?

Hip augmentation is a surgical procedure in which surgeons increase the circumference of the hips to create a lower waist-to-hip ratio. There are two ways to do this, including fat grafting and implants. For most patients, fat grafting is the simplest and best route. Here, you will learn more about fat grafting and liposculpture for hip augmentation and what you can expect.

Understanding Fat Grafting Fat grafting might sound like a complicated process, but it is actually quite simple. It involves removing fat from one part of the body and placing it in another. Fat grafting has become quite popular in facial plastic surgeries, particularly for plumping the lips and cheeks. In recent years, surgeons have discovered that fat grafting can also provide outstanding, permanent results for larger and more involved procedures like hip augmentation, as well.

The fat is removed from one area of a patient’s body – typically the abdominal area, the “love handles”, or perhaps even the inner thighs. As it is removed, it is collected in sterile containers. Then, once the liposuction is complete, the surgeon will re-inject that fat into the desired area and in the desired amount to create the volume the patient has requested.

Because it is the patient’s own fat, risks are minimized, and the results are incredibly natural-looking.

Number of Treatments Patients who have enough body fat typically need only one fat grafting session to achieve the hip circumference they desire. However, some patients with lower body fat and those who want a more dramatic effect may need two sessions to achieve it. If this is the case, the patient’s second session will take place about six months after the first. This gives the body time to heal completely and prepare for another surgery.

Unlike fillers that must be reinjected over time, fat grafting is different in that it is usually permanent. In the weeks and months after the procedure, patients’ bodies will reabsorb about 30% of the fat injected into the hip area, but this is to be expected. The other 70% remains permanently in place and will not need to be touched up unless the patient’s body composition changes in the future.

Not a Candidate for Fat Grafting?

Patients who have very little body fat are not good candidates for fat grafting procedures. In this case, there is simply not enough fat to remove via liposuction to reinject into the hip area for a noticeable effect. Another option for hip augmentation involves utilizing rigid silicone implants that are inserted below the thigh muscles. Much like fat grafting, the results are fairly permanent and the look only changes if the patient’s body composition changes. Implants do require a longer recovery time, and that’s why most patients prefer fat grafting if they are candidates.

Fat grafting is a common procedure, and it’s utilized in a number of surgeries designed to enhance or feminize one’s appearance. It is the perfect solution for enhancing the curves of the hips and providing an incredibly soft, feminine appearance that patients can feel good about.