Hip dips (the inward indentation between hip bone and outer thigh) are anatomical, not a fat or muscle problem — they reflect the underlying skeletal structure of the pelvis. Treatment is fat filling, not fat removal: liposuction harvests fat from donor sites (abdomen, thighs, flanks), purifies it, and injects it into the hip dip to create a smooth lateral curve. Performed by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Erdal at JCI-accredited hospital. Often combined with BBL for complete buttock-and-hip transformation. All-inclusive packages from €3,200.
Hip dips (also called violin hips or trochanteric depression) are the inward curve between the iliac crest (hip bone) and the greater trochanter of the femur (top of thigh). The dip is created by the underlying pelvic structure — specifically the relative position of these bony landmarks.
Hip dip surgery (fat transfer or hip implants) doesn't change the underlying skeletal structure — it adds volume to camouflage the dip. The result is a smoother lateral hip-thigh transition. Realistic expectation: improved lateral curves, not elimination of the dip's underlying cause.
| Factor | Fat transfer | Hip implants |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Patient's own fat | Silicone implants |
| Volume | Limited by donor fat available | Predetermined size, no donor needed |
| Donor requirement | Must have sufficient donor fat (BMI 22+) | None — works for slim patients |
| Permanence | 60–80% fat survival permanent, rest reabsorbs | Implants permanent (replacement at 10–15 yr) |
| Result naturalness | Most natural feel and appearance | Natural with proper sizing |
| Recovery | 4–6 weeks | 6–8 weeks |
| Risk profile | Lower — own tissue | Slightly higher — implant complications |
| Touch-up procedures | Possible if more volume needed | Replacement procedure if size change desired |
| Cost | €3,200–€4,500 | €4,500–€6,500 |
General anaesthesia at JCI hospital. Operative time 2–3 hours for standalone hip dip fat transfer, longer when combined with BBL or 360 lipo (typical 3–4 hours).
VASER liposuction at donor sites (typically abdomen, flanks, inner thighs, or back). VASER preserves fat cell viability better than traditional liposuction (60–80% survival vs 50–60%), making it the preferred technique for fat transfer harvesting. Volume harvested: typically 800–1500cc per side for hip dips.
Harvested fat undergoes purification: separation from blood, oil, and tumescent fluid. The remaining purified fat (typically 60–70% of harvested volume) is loaded into specialized syringes for transfer. This is the "viable fat" that has highest chance of long-term survival.
Fat injected through small incisions using long fine cannulas. The technique uses microdroplet injection — small amounts (less than 0.1ml per pass) deposited in multiple passes to maximise contact with blood supply. This dramatically improves fat survival rate compared to bolus injection.
Surgeon injects approximately 30% MORE volume than final desired result, because 20–40% of transferred fat is reabsorbed during the first 3–6 months. The "settling" period until final result is 6 months.
Donor sites: standard liposuction compression. Recipient site (hips): NO direct compression — pressure on transferred fat reduces survival. Avoid sleeping on side or sitting for prolonged periods on hips for first 3 weeks. Most patients use BBL pillow when sitting.
Moderate discomfort (4–5 out of 10) — primarily from donor liposuction sites. Walking encouraged. Cannot sit directly on buttocks/hips area for first 3 weeks. Sleep on back or stomach (not side). Compression on donor sites continuous.
Most patients cleared to fly home. Walking comfortable. BBL pillow used when sitting. Avoid pressure on hips.
Most bruising resolved. Continued positioning restrictions on hip area. Compression on donor sites continues.
Sitting restrictions ease — can sit on hips for short periods. BBL pillow recommended for prolonged sitting. Compression on donor sites continues.
Most swelling resolved. Donor compression transitions to part-time. Visible contour change clearly visible — both donor site improvement and hip filling.
Return to most activities including light exercise. Compression discontinued.
Final result emerges as fat reabsorption settles. The volume retained at 6 months is permanent. Photos at 6 months represent final outcome. Some patients are appropriate candidates for touch-up fat transfer if additional volume desired (typically 6+ months after primary procedure).
Hip dip fat transfer and BBL (Brazilian Butt Lift) use the same technical foundation: liposuction harvests fat, purifies it, and transfers to recipient site. Combining them in single procedure offers substantial advantages:
The combination addresses the three lateral hip-buttock zones simultaneously:
The combined effect produces the "wasp waist with full curves" silhouette that single-area treatment cannot achieve. For patients seeking this aesthetic, the combination is the appropriate procedure rather than addressing zones individually.
Pricing for hip dip fat transfer with Dr. Erdal in 2026 — all-inclusive packages:
| Procedure | Cost (all-inclusive) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hip dip fat transfer (standalone) | €3,200 – €4,000 | Lipo donor + hip filling |
| VASER hip dip fat transfer | €3,500 – €4,500 | Better fat survival rate |
| Hip dip + BBL combined | €3,800 – €5,200 | Comprehensive buttock+hip transformation |
| Hip dip + 360 lipo + BBL | €4,800 – €6,500 | Full body recontouring |
| Hip implants (alternative) | €4,500 – €6,500 | For insufficient donor fat |
| Country | Domestic price | Istanbul (Dr. Erdal) | Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | £6,000 – £10,000 | £2,725 – £4,000 | ~55% |
| United States | $8,000 – $14,000 | $3,500 – $5,750 | ~60% |
| Germany | €7,000 – €12,000 | €3,200 – €4,800 | ~55% |
| Australia | A$10,000 – A$17,000 | A$5,000 – A$7,500 | ~55% |
| UAE / Dubai | $8,500 – $14,500 | $3,500 – $5,750 | ~60% |
Hip dip fat transfer with Dr. Erdal in Istanbul costs €3,200–€4,000 for standalone treatment, €3,500–€4,500 for VASER hip dip fat transfer (recommended for better fat survival), €3,800–€5,200 combined with BBL (most popular), €4,800–€6,500 for comprehensive 360 + BBL + hip dip combined, €4,500–€6,500 for hip implants alternative. The all-inclusive package covers donor liposuction, fat processing, hip injection, JCI hospital, anaesthesia, hotel, transfers, compression on donor sites, BBL pillow, and 12-month follow-up.
The fat that survives the first 6 months is permanent — those fat cells live in their new location indefinitely. Long-term result depends on weight stability: weight gain causes the transferred fat (and remaining body fat) to expand uniformly; weight loss causes it to shrink uniformly. The proportional improvement is maintained. Significant weight loss can reveal the underlying anatomical hip dips again. Most patients maintain stable results for years to decades.
With VASER liposuction harvest and microdroplet injection technique, 60–80% of transferred fat survives long-term. The 20–40% that doesn't survive is reabsorbed during the first 3–6 months. This is why surgeons inject more volume than the final desired result — accounting for expected reabsorption. Survival rates depend on: harvesting technique (VASER better than traditional), injection technique (microdroplet better than bolus), recipient site blood supply, patient factors (smoking, weight stability). Conservative initial estimates and willingness to do touch-up if needed produces best long-term satisfaction.
Limited options. Fat transfer requires sufficient donor fat — patients with BMI under 22 often don't have adequate fat to harvest. For these patients: hip implants are the alternative, can also gain modest weight before surgery to provide donor fat (then return to normal weight after — the harvested fat is gone permanently), or accept that fat transfer would produce minimal change. Hip implants don't require donor fat and are suitable for slim patients seeking definitive hip filling. Discuss your specific anatomy during consultation.
Pressure on transferred fat during the critical revascularisation period (first 3 weeks) reduces fat survival. The transferred fat needs to develop new blood vessels from surrounding tissue — pressure interrupts this process. Sitting on hips/buttocks during weeks 1–3 can dramatically reduce final fat retention. The BBL pillow allows sitting while keeping pressure off the treated areas. Most patients describe the sitting restriction as the most challenging aspect of recovery.
Yes — fat transfer using your own tissue produces the most natural-feeling and appearing result of any volume augmentation method. The fat integrates with surrounding tissue, feels and moves naturally, and ages with you. Conservative volume restoration (rather than aggressive maximum filling) produces the most natural-appearing result. Patients seeking dramatic volume changes need realistic expectations about achievable results given donor fat availability and natural anatomy.
Hip dips are normal anatomy in 80%+ of women, not a medical concern. The decision to pursue surgery is personal — based on your own preferences, not medical necessity. Important reflection points: Are you considering this procedure based on your own preference or in response to social media trends? Will the realistic outcome (improvement, not perfection) satisfy you? Are you comfortable with the trade-offs (recovery, cost, possibility of needing touch-up)? Honest assessment during consultation helps determine if surgery aligns with your actual goals. Some patients benefit more from working on body acceptance than pursuing surgery.
Send 3 photos (front, both sides, back). Honest assessment from Dr. Erdal.
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