Yes, it effectively targets love handles.
Love handles are back fat spots that people really struggle with. So much so that they can be the biggest source of frustration and dissatisfaction for many. If you eat right and do lots of exercises your waist will get smaller but there’s great chance that stubborn love handles won’t decrease. For many patients, these deposits are not just a nuisance; they dictate their whole wardrobe choices to the extent that they have to choose loose and baggy tops to cover the unwanted “muffin top” that spills over the waistband of their jeans.
The answer to “Does circumferential lipo fix love handles?” is an emphatic yes. Actually, removing love handles is the primary objective of Circumferential (360) Liposuction. Traditional abdominal liposuction usually treats the stomach as a flat 2D surface while a Circumferential Lipo treats the torso as a three-dimensional cylinder. At Lin Europe Clinic, we make it our mission to show that one cannot make a true waistline just by treating the front only; one has to reveal the waist curve by shaping the sides and the back.
The Flanks: Why Are They So Stubborn?
The term “love handles” is a colloquial expression referring to flanks, i.e., those fat deposits on the sides of the lower waist that run from the ribs down to the hip bone. The fat in this area is different biologically from the fat that is found elsewhere in your body.
Firstly, it is quite a different structure. Studies show that flank fat is often very fibrous and even denser than the soft, fluffy fat that is found on the front of the belly. The fibrous nature of the fat is similar to a protective mesh and therefore it is physically more difficult to break down. Secondly, the flank area is hormonally protected. In the case of men, it is often the main storage place of excess energy that is influenced by testosterone and cortisol levels. In the case of women, estrogen encourages fat storage around the pelvis which leads to the “square” shape that hides the natural waist and which is an evolutionary mechanism to protect the reproductive organs. In this way, the fat is resistant to catecholamines (fat-burning hormones). Hence, surgical removal is often the only viable solution to changing the silhouette.
The “360” Difference: Treating the Cylinder
Many patients make a huge mistake by requesting “stomach lipo” when their goal is really a smaller waist. Having fat removed only from the front (the rectus abdominis area) by a surgeon will result in a flat stomach but you will still look “boxy” or wide from the front view because the sides remain
Circumferential (360) Liposuction addresses this problem by turning the patient during the operation so as to have full access to the entire trunk. We do not only address the stomach area but also the full abdomen (upper and lower), the flanks (love handles), and the mid-to-lower back (bra roll area). Taking the waist out from the sides and back, we are able to create the sensation of a “corset”. In this way, we obtain the hourglass figure for women which is characterized by the inside curve – while men get the smooth V-shaped tapering. The focus is on contracting the actual human body frame, not just making the front panel flat.
VASER Technology: The Secret Weapon for Fibrous Fat
Since flank fat is tougher and more fibrous than abdominal fat, traditional mechanical suction by itself can sometimes be quite a traumatic procedure, and the consequences could be bruising or uneven results. That is why at Lin Europe Clinic we opted for Vaser Liposuction (Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy at Resonance) technique.
Vaser uses ultrasound technology to liquefy the fat cells selectively so that they can be easily suctioned out. This is really good for densely packed tissue like those in love handles. It also permits us to take a large quantity of fat almost effortlessly and to a smooth finish without inflicting harm to the surrounding blood vessels, nerves, or connective tissue. Even more importantly, the warmth produced by the vaser probe also triggers the collagen fibers in the skin, which results in better skin retraction. In essence, this translates into the fact that after the fat cells have been extracted, the skin contracts tightly back on the muscle without being loose and saggy.
Love Handles vs. Hip Dips: The Art of Sculpting
It is imperative that one understands that love handles and hip dips are very different and that removing one vs. filling the other requires completely different techniques.
- Love Handles: The area above the pelvic bone in which the fat bulges outward. It needs to be extracted to get a narrow waist.
- Hip Dips: A natural inner curve on your outer thighs which is the indent below your hip bone. It causes a “dent” in the body shape. (trochanteric depression)
In a number of Circumferential Lipo operations, we use the liposculpture technique whereby we remove fat from love handles (thus reducing width above) and at the same time, if the patient wishes, we can put the fat back in the hip dips after purifying it (filling width below). This is our way of fully enhancing the hourglass figure since the waist will be even smaller by contrast and the rib to thigh line will be perfectly smooth like the contour of a violin.
Recovery and The “Snatch”
The aftercare for flank liposuction can be a bit more painful than for stomach lipo as, while sleeping, you mostly lie on one side or the back. Being a high-movement area, the flanks will get stiff and sore when you twist and turn, e.g., when getting out of bed for the first time.
However, the “snatch” is usually perceptible right away. Even post-op swelling, a decrease in waist width is unquestionable as the bulkiness on the sides has been completely gone. Wearing your compression garment (faja) is absolutely essential. First of all, it acts like a mold on the shape, pressing the skin against the muscle and second, it avoids the accumulation of fluid in the empty spaces. Besides, the continuous wearing of the garment for the period of 6 weeks lets the new curves set in your body permanently.
Body Contouring in Turkey
Why choose Lin Europe Clinic for your Circumferential Lipo in Turkey? Because our focus is on high-definition body sculpting, not just fat removal. Our surgeons in Istanbul treat the torso as a sculpture. We know the visual difference between a masculine, straight flank and a feminine, curved waist, so we adjust our suction method accordingly.
We have made your trip completely supportive. Because Lipo 360 targets multiple areas, our premium aftercare allows you to include manual lymphatic drainage massages to relieve the swelling in the lower back and sides—parts that are fluid retention-prone. We accomplish making your figure look great, no matter which side it is viewed from—the front, back, or side.
Frequently Asked Questions About Love Handles
Yes, flank fat is physically tougher (more fibrous) than belly fat. This explains why it needs more effort from the surgeon to break down, that’s why the technology like VASER is so helpful to guarantee a smooth result.
Once the fat cells are removed, they disappear forever. But if you gain a lot of weight (e.g., over 22 lbs), the fat cells that are still there can grow. The best way to keep your results is to stay at a stable weight.
Yes, real Lipo 360 involves the entire abdomen (upper/lower), the flanks (love handles), and the mid-to-lower back. It is necessary to treat the back to prevent a “bulge” from showing above your bra strap or waistband.
Yes, you may find it painful for a while. Patients generally choose to sleep on their backs with pillows under their knees to relieve the tension in the abdomen. Side sleeping usually becomes comfortable after 1 to 2 weeks.
Liposuction allows the skin to benefit from the elastic property and thus the skin can contract. If you have a huge “overhang” or fold of loose skin on your flanks (commonly after massive weight loss), you might have to get a Lower Body Lift or Extended Tummy Tuck for skin removal instead of lipo.
Hoyos, A. E., & Millard, J. A. (2007). Vaser-assisted high-definition liposculpture. Aesthetic Surgery Journal.
Matarasso, A. (2000). Abdominoplasty: A system of classification and treatment for combined abdominoplasty and liposuction. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
Nagy, M. W., & Vanek, P. F., Jr. (2012). A multicenter, prospective, randomized, single-blind, controlled clinical trial comparing VASER-assisted lipoplasty and suction-assisted lipoplasty. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
