How Can I Improve or Get Rid of Hip Implant Show?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I have had a lot of surgery on my body/lower abdomen, and am very happy with it all. I only have 1 long term issue, which is fairly severe implant show on my hip implants naked, especially from a backwards facing angle. I am fairly thin at about 130lbs 5’8.

I am considering replacing the implants in 2024/2025. I was wondering 1) if it’s realistic in the first place to be able to get hip implants without significant implant show/an unnatural look and 2) If implants could be replaced with the new metal lilac crest option? 

A :Partial hip implant show in a thin person is common, I would almost say the norm. (at least to be expected) Whether that can be improved depends on the original design of the hip implants. The implant pocket themselves rarely can be successfully adjusted. I would have to see the original implant design file and then match that up with where your implant show is to provide a more qualified answer.

Hip implants vs iliac crest implants strive to achieve very different hip augmentation effects so I would not consider them aesthetically interchangeable.

Dr. Barry Eppley

World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon