Hip Dip Correction
in Novi, MI

Illuum Cosmetic Surgery in Novi, MI, offers advanced hip dip correction procedures to help you achieve the smooth, curved silhouette you desire. Our board-certified plastic surgeons, Dr. Gregory Lakin and Dr. Ellen Ozolins, combine artistic innovation with surgical expertise to create natural-looking results that enhance your body’s natural beauty.

Table of Contents

Understanding Hip Dips

Hip dips, also called violin hips or hip divots, are the inward curves that occur where the hip bone meets the top of the thigh. These natural indentations appear just below the hip bone and above the thigh, creating a dip in the otherwise smooth curve from waist to hip.

While completely normal and present in varying degrees in most people, some individuals prefer a more rounded hip contour for aesthetic reasons.

What Causes Hip Dips?

Hip dips are primarily determined by your bone structure, specifically the shape of your pelvis and the distribution of muscle and fat around your hips. The prominence of hip dips depends on:

The width of your hips
Size of your greater trochanter (top of your femur)

Distance between your ilium and hip socket
Natural fat distribution patterns

Genetics play the largest role, making hip dips a natural anatomical variation rather than a flaw.

What Is Hip Dip Correction?

Hip dip correction is a cosmetic procedure that fills the natural indentations on the sides of your hips, creating a smoother, more curvaceous silhouette. The treatment adds volume to the hip dip area, enhancing the transition from waist to hip for a more rounded appearance.

Methods for Hip Dip Correction

Fat Transfer for Hip Dips

If patients are looking for additional volume in the hip dip area, they may elect to add volume via fat transfer. This procedure , also known as fat grafting, involves harvesting fat from areas of excess through liposuction. Common donor sites include:

The collected fat is then purified and carefully injected into the hip dip areas. This method offers permanent results using your body’s own tissue, creating natural-looking and feeling curves.

Lower Body Lift

A lower body lift can remove loose skin in the waist/hip (love handle) area and lift the outer thighs, improving the appearance of hip dips and creating a more hourglass contour. A lower body lift is a skin excision procedure that results in a scar concealed under the underwear line, just above the buttock, and is often combined with a tummy tuck.

Consultation and Assessment

During your consultation at our Novi facility, Dr. Lakin or Dr. Ozolins will perform a comprehensive assessment, including:

Preparing for Your Procedure

Preparation varies based on the chosen method. Generally, you may be advised to:

Stop certain medications or supplements
Quit smoking
Maintain a stable weight

Arrange transportation
Prepare a recovery area at home

Specific instructions will be provided during your pre-operative appointments.

The Hip Dip Correction Procedure

Marking

The procedure begins with marking treatment areas while you’re standing. This allows your surgeon to map out precise contours and ensure balanced, natural-looking results.

Anesthesia

You’ll be made comfortable throughout the procedure in our state-of-the-art surgical center. A qualified anesthesia provider carefully monitors you to ensure your safety and comfort at every stage. Depending on your treatment plan, either general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation may be used.

Option 1 -Fat Transfer

For fat transfer, the process includes:

Liposuction to collect fat
Processing and purification of harvested fat
Strategic injection into hip dip areas

The entire process typically takes 2-3 hours. Our surgical team monitors you closely while your surgeon artistically sculpts your new contours with precision and care.

Option 2 - Skin Excision and Contouring

If a lower body lift is part of your treatment plan, excess skin and tissue along the waist and outer hip area are carefully removed to improve contour and create a smoother transition between the waist, hips, and thighs. Your surgeon then repositions and tightens the remaining tissue to enhance lower body definition while placing incisions strategically so they can typically be concealed beneath underwear or swimwear.

Completion

Once the procedure is complete, you’ll be moved to a recovery area, where our team will monitor you as you wake up and ensure you’re comfortable before you go home. You’ll receive detailed aftercare instructions to support healing and help you achieve the best possible results.

Recovery and Aftercare

Recovery after hip dip correction depends on the procedure performed. Both fat transfer and lower body lift are surgical treatments, and each requires a dedicated healing period as the body adjusts and recovers.

Post-Procedure Instructions

Following surgery, you may be instructed to:

Wear compression garments to minimize swelling and support healing
Limit strenuous activity and heavy lifting during early recovery
Avoid pressure on treated areas as directed by your surgeon
Follow incision and wound care instructions carefully
Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments to monitor healing and results

Patients who undergo a lower body lift will also need to take extra care to avoid tension on incision sites while the body heals. Your surgeon will provide personalized guidance on positioning, movement, and activity restrictions to support optimal recovery and scar healing.

Managing Discomfort

Mild to moderate swelling, bruising, tightness, and soreness are expected during the initial recovery period. These symptoms are temporary and typically improve gradually over the following weeks. Any discomfort can usually be managed with prescribed or recommended medications.

Our team remains available throughout your recovery to answer questions, monitor your progress, and help ensure a safe and comfortable healing experience.

When Results Become Visible

Filler results: Improvements are visible immediately after surgery, but final results continue to refine for up to 12 months as swelling resolves and tissues fully settle.
Fat transfer results: Initial contour improvement is visible right away; final results develop over 3–6 months as the transferred fat establishes a stable blood supply.

It’s also important to note that not all transferred fat survives in the long term, so in some cases, additional sessions may be recommended to achieve the desired outcome.

Maintaining Long-Term Results

To maintain results after hip dip correction:

Lower body lift: Results are long-lasting when maintained with a stable weight and a healthy lifestyle. Significant weight fluctuations or natural aging can affect overall body contour over time.

Fat transfer: Maintaining a stable weight is important, as major changes can impact volume in the treated areas.

Both procedures are designed to deliver long-term improvement, with results that can be maintained for many years when supported by consistent weight and lifestyle habits.

Am I a Good Candidate for Hip Dip Correction?

Good candidates for hip dip correction are individuals who are bothered by the appearance of their hip dips and desire a smoother hip contour. You should be in good overall health, maintain a stable weight, and have realistic expectations about the results.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate has:

Noticeable hip dips affecting confidence
Sufficient donor fat for fat transfer (if choosing this method)
Good skin elasticity
Stable weight near the ideal range
Commitment to maintaining results through a healthy lifestyle
Non-smoker status for optimal healing

Patients without loose skin who are primarily concerned with hip dips are better candidates for fat transfer, while those with loose skin in the area are better suited for a skin excision procedure first (and in some cases, this may be the only procedure needed).

Benefits of Hip Dip Correction

Results from hip dip correction enhance your natural curves, creating the smooth, feminine silhouette you’ve always wanted. This procedure can dramatically improve body proportions and boost confidence for those who feel self-conscious about their hip contours. Our surgeons’ artistic approach ensures results that look natural and proportionate to your body.

Start Your Hip Contour Transformation Today

At Illuum Cosmetic Surgery, we believe cosmetic enhancement is an art form. Our advantages include:

Board-certified plastic surgeons Dr. Gregory Lakin and Dr. Ellen Ozolins
Over 20 years of experience each
Artistic innovation and meticulous attention to detail
State-of-the-art facility in Novi, MI
Commitment to affordability and accessibility
Highest safety standards and ethical service
Personalized treatment plans

We treat each patient as their own canvas, designing results that illuminate your best self.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How long do hip dip correction results last?

Fat transfer and lower body lift results are generally permanent, though hip shape can fluctuate with weight changes.

Is hip dip correction painful?

The procedure is performed under anesthesia for comfort. Post-procedure discomfort is mild to moderate and manageable with medication, typically subsiding within days to weeks.

Can I combine hip dip correction with other procedures?

Yes, many patients combine hip dip correction with liposuction in other areas or a tummy tuck for a comprehensive body transformation.

When can I return to normal activities?

Patients typically need 1 week to return to work and 4-6 weeks to resume exercise.

Schedule a Consultation

Ready to achieve the smooth, curved silhouette you’ve always wanted? Contact Illuum Cosmetic Surgery today to schedule your consultation and discover how hip dip correction can transform your confidence.

Hip Dip Correction
in Novi, MI

Understanding Hip Dips

What Causes Hip Dips?

What Is Hip Dip Correction?