Fat reduction

Saddlebag removal with plastic surgery

12 June, 2024 · Updated on 27 September 2026

Updated on 27 September 2026 • Reviewed by Dr. Gustavo Sordo, plastic surgeon

The accumulation of fat in the hip area is commonly known as " saddlebags ." This is a characteristic of the female body that owes its appearance to estrogen levels in the body, which cause fat to be distributed differently than in the male body, as it prepares for potential motherhood.

There are many methods to eliminate saddlebags , and their effectiveness depends on the amount of accumulated fat . Aerobic exercise, a balanced diet, or aesthetic treatments can be effective if the saddlebags are only just beginning to appear . Otherwise , plastic surgery may be necessary.

Plastic surgery technique to eliminate saddlebags

Liposuction is the most effective method for combating saddlebags in women. This procedure can be performed in several different ways, although it is always advisable to conduct a thorough examination of the patient's body before proceeding with the fat removal . Particularly important at this stage is the relationship between the concavity of the waist, the prominence of the iliac crest, and the convexity of the hip area . Only by analyzing the excess volume and sagging in this area can an accurate diagnosis be made, and the patient be informed of the best treatment for eliminating the saddlebags.

At Dr. Gustavo Sordo's clinic, saddlebags are removed using a " tumescent liposuction technique with a superficial technique ." This procedure extracts fat cells from the hips using very fine suction tubes made through small incisions (approximately 0,4 centimeters) in the patient's body. Applying negative pressure removes the fat from the treated area, reshaping the woman's body in the targeted region.

Furthermore, thanks to the blunt tips of the microcannulas used, the possibility of bruising or scarring is negligible. This allows us to perform a quick and comfortable procedure from a postoperative perspective.

One of the questions that patients who want to undergo liposuction to eliminate saddlebags often ask us is whether they will reappear over time. To resolve any doubts that may arise before the procedure, contact the plastic, aesthetic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Sordo.

Saddlebags are the classic example of stubborn localized fat : an area that doesn't respond to diet or exercise, no matter how much overall weight is lost, because its behavior depends on specific hormone receptors. This is why it's one of the areas where liposuction yields the most satisfactory results, always with one prerequisite: a stable weight . Liposuction is not a weight-loss treatment, but rather a way to redistribute body contour.

Technically, we use tumescent infiltration and microcannulas , which allow for more homogeneous treatment with less bruising. We treat the area considering the surrounding flank and outer thigh, because treating the saddlebag in isolation can leave a noticeable transition. Afterward, we wear a compression garment and perform lymphatic drainage. The final result is visible between three and six months, once the swelling has completely subsided.