Hip Filler Before/After: Check This Angle

Hip Filler Before and After Photos: Check 'This Angle' Before Volume

During transitional seasons like this,

my consultation room starts bustling with clients preparing for weddings and honeymoons.

"Doctor, the before and after photos I saw on Instagram

look completely different from what I discussed during consultation?"

I hear this question so often from patients.

Today, let me break down the reasons step by step.

Here's what makes all the difference

Hip filler is a procedure that injects

hyaluronic acid or autologous fat into the depressed areas

on the sides of the pelvis,

specifically the upper depression of the greater trochanter

known as 'violin hips,'

to create rounder lines.

Unlike fat grafting, filler allows

precise volume control in 1cc increments,

making it much more advantageous for

correcting left-right asymmetry or

making small, precise adjustments.

However, the maintenance period is shorter, lasting about 1-2 years.

Why do some patients see no difference even after 10cc?

To be honest,

the biggest optical illusion in before and after photos

isn't created by volume but by

'shooting angle' and 'injection points.'

Last month, I had a 32-year-old patient who

received a total of 16cc (8cc on each side) at another clinic

but came to me saying she saw no changes.

When I looked at her lying-down before and after photos,

the volume was definitely there.

The problem was the injection location was too high,

right below the iliac crest.

The greater trochanter depression

(the hollow area on the outer hip) that was

her main concern remained unchanged.

This is a commonly misunderstood point:

the hip area has thin subcutaneous fat layers, so

even a 1cc difference is visible in the silhouette.

I usually start with 4-6cc per side.

Beyond that amount, the outer thigh line

often appears blunt rather than refined.

There's one crucial thing to check

when viewing before and after photos:

whether they're taken in the 'same position, same camera height.'

Shooting slightly from below makes

the same person's hips appear much wider.

If you only look at dramatic before and after photos

without knowing this, expectations and actual results diverge.

Here's how I categorize cases in my practice

While each case varies,

I usually approach them with three types in mind.

But this isn't all positive.

Filler gets absorbed over time, and

significant weight fluctuations can leave

uneven shapes behind.

However, for those who want to

refine their lines without surgical burden,

it remains an excellent choice.

Top Three Questions I Receive in Practice

Q1. Can I achieve dramatic changes like in before and after photos?

A. The degree of change in before and after photos

depends on how deep the original depression was.

Those with deep depressions see dramatic changes with just 5cc,

but if your original line is relatively flat,

the same volume will show subtle changes.

Taking photos of your hip area

from front, side, and back views during consultation is most accurate.

Q2. What about maintenance duration and re-treatment intervals?

A. It varies by product, but

high-viscosity hyaluronic acid commonly used for hips

maintains for an average of 12-18 months.

However, about 30-40% naturally absorbs

within the first year, so

I recommend a check-up at the 6-month mark.

Cost is typically calculated

per cc as it's volume-based pricing.

Q3. Can I exercise or sit immediately after the procedure?

A. It's best to avoid prolonged sitting positions

on the day of treatment and the following day.

Pressure on the injection sites can cause

the filler to shift to one side.

Activities like yoga and Pilates should be

avoided for at least 5-7 days, and

saunas and massages should be avoided for about 2 weeks for safety.

I'll continue with deeper insights in the next article. This was Dr. Wi Young-jin.