Smooth, Curved Hips — The Shape You've Always Wanted
Hip Dip Correction with Fat Transfer in Ottawa — Dr. Mehrad Jaberi
Hip dips (trochanteric depressions) are the natural inward indentations just below the hip bone that give some silhouettes a “violin” shape rather than a smooth, continuous curve from waist to thigh. They're determined by your skeletal anatomy — the distance between your iliac crest and the greater trochanter of your femur — and no amount of exercise will change bone structure. But surgery can.
Hip dip correction uses your own fat — harvested from areas where you have it to spare — to gently fill those depressions and create the smooth, fuller hip contour you're after. The result is natural because it is natural: your own tissue, sculpted by Dr. Jaberi's hands into the shape you want. This procedure can be a standalone procedure or combined with other body contouring for a comprehensive transformation.
Quick Facts
| Procedure Time | 2–4 hours (including liposuction harvest) |
| Anesthesia | General or deep sedation |
| Recovery | 1–2 weeks light activity; 4–6 weeks full activity |
| Final Result | 3–6 months (fat settles and integrates) |
| Starting From | $8,000 (combined with liposuction) |
| Fat Retention | Approximately 60–80% of transferred fat survives long-term |
What Are Hip Dips, Exactly?
Hip dips are not a flaw — they're anatomy. The indentation occurs where the skin and superficial fascia attach to the greater trochanter of the femur, creating a visible depression between the iliac crest above and the greater trochanteric prominence below. The depth and visibility of hip dips vary widely by person and are heavily influenced by skeletal width, the amount of gluteal and lateral thigh soft tissue, and overall body composition.
Some people barely notice them; for others, the indentation is prominent enough to affect how clothes fit and how they feel in a swimsuit or form-fitting outfit. If hip dips bother you enough that you've thought about it more than once, it may be worth talking to Dr. Jaberi about what's achievable for your specific anatomy.
It's important to have realistic expectations: hip dip correction can significantly soften the contour and improve the overall hip-to-waist ratio, but the degree of correction depends on the depth of the depression and how much fat can safely be transferred. Deep, structural hip dips can be improved — not always eliminated entirely.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
- Bothered by the “violin hip” or indented outer hip contour
- Have adequate donor fat available (abdomen, flanks, inner thighs, lower back)
- At or near your goal weight and maintaining a stable weight
- In good general health with no contraindications to surgery
- Have realistic expectations about the degree of correction
- Want natural results using your own tissue rather than implants
Patients with very little body fat may not be suitable for fat transfer alone. Dr. Jaberi will assess your anatomy at your consultation and provide an honest recommendation.
The Procedure — Harvest, Process, Transfer
Hip dip correction via fat transfer is a three-stage process that all happens in one surgery:
Stage 1 — Liposuction Harvest
Fat is harvested from your chosen donor site(s) using gentle, low-trauma liposuction. Common donor areas include the abdomen, flanks (“love handles”), inner thighs, and lower back. This gives you the double benefit of contouring the donor area while collecting the material you need.
Stage 2 — Processing
The harvested fat is processed to remove tumescent fluid and non-viable cells, concentrating the pure fat cells for transfer. Dr. Jaberi uses careful processing techniques to maximize fat cell survival and long-term retention.
Stage 3 — Transfer
The processed fat is injected into the hip dip area in fine, layered passes using micro-cannulas. This technique distributes fat evenly throughout multiple tissue planes, maximizing integration and creating a smooth, natural-feeling result. The tiny injection points leave no visible scars.
Recovery Timeline
Swelling, bruising, and soreness in both the donor and recipient areas. Compression garment worn continuously. Rest at home.
Compression garment continues for at least 4–6 weeks. Swelling peaks around days 3–5 then gradually improves. Light walking encouraged from day 2 to promote circulation. Avoid sitting directly on the transferred areas.
Significant improvement in swelling. Normal light activities resume. The hip contour begins to look natural as fat integrates. Avoid vigorous exercise.
Final swelling resolves. Some initial fat reabsorption is normal — the contour will look slightly less full than at 2 weeks, then stabilize. This is the permanent result taking shape.
Final result is established. Approximately 60–80% of the transferred fat “takes” and becomes permanent. Stable weight maintenance preserves the outcome long-term.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fat transfer results are long-lasting. About 60–80% of transferred fat integrates permanently. The key to maintaining results is weight stability — significant weight gain or loss afterward will affect the contour.
Patients with minimal body fat may not be suitable candidates for fat transfer. Dr. Jaberi will assess your donor sites at consultation. For very lean patients, alternatives or combination approaches may be discussed.
Yes — it is often combined with tummy tuck, thigh liposuction, gluteal fat transfer (BBL-style), or other body contouring procedures for a comprehensive transformation. Combining procedures reduces overall recovery time.
Hip implants exist but carry significantly more risk than fat transfer (implant complications, visibility, displacement). Dr. Jaberi's preferred approach for hip dip correction is fat transfer for its natural feel, minimal scarring, and double benefit of contouring the donor sites.
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Ready for a Smoother Silhouette?
Book a consultation with Dr. Jaberi to discuss whether hip dip correction is right for your anatomy and goals. We'll walk through exactly what's achievable, with no pressure and full transparency.
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