Korean term: 옆구리살
What are love handles
"Love handles" is a common name for fat over the flanks, the sides of the waist. Cleveland Clinic lists them as an example of subcutaneous fat, the pinchable fat just under the skin, and names the flanks ("love handles") among the areas for liposuction.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) calls the waist and flanks extremely common areas for liposuction. It says people in a healthy weight range can still have problem fat.
Common causes
- Genetics. Cleveland Clinic says a lot of where fat collects has to do with your genetics.
- Lifestyle. The same page says lifestyle and genetics together decide where fat accumulates.
- Fat that resists diet and exercise. ASPS says getting rid of love handles with diet and exercise alone can be very difficult.
- Not confirmed in our sources: any role of age, hormones or sex.
Treatments clinics in Korea list for love handles
Liposuction is the treatment listed for this area. The surgeon loosens fat with a thin tube inserted through small incisions and suctions it out (ASPS). The card shows what it is, its downtime per the sources and the lowest regular price in this directory. That price can be for another body area, so check the item in the table. See our liposuction page.
Liposuction
Surgery that removes fat cells from a specific area through small incisions and a thin tube.
Downtime (per the sources): Compression garment for a few weeks; back to work after a few days to 2–3 weeks, depending on the source and the job
From ₩1,500,000 (≈ US$1,130)YUNO Plastic Surgery · Liposuction, one area 1 area · VAT not stated
3 clinics in this directory list a regular price
All prices and clinicsWhat the sources say about results and limits
- Not weight loss. Cleveland Clinic and ASPS both say liposuction is not a treatment for obesity.
- Skin and cellulite. ASPS says firm, elastic skin gives better results. Cleveland Clinic says liposuction cannot improve loose skin or remove cellulite.
- Fat can return. Cleveland Clinic says liposuction does not prevent weight gain and the body can regrow fat where it was removed.
- Recovery. Cleveland Clinic says swelling can take three to six months to go away completely. Return to work is a few days to weeks 2 to 3, depending on the source. See our guide to downtime and flights.
- Other approaches. Cleveland Clinic also describes fat freezing (cryolipolysis), a nonsurgical option for localized fat. This directory has no treatment page for it.
The doctor decides after an examination whether the flanks suit treatment.
Published prices
The table shows, for each clinic that lists a regular price, its lowest regular price for liposuction; the body area, amount and VAT basis differ between clinics.
| Clinic | Liposuction |
|---|---|
| BBAE Clinic | ₩2,000,000 (≈ US$1,510) VAT excluded · Back (shoulder blade, bra line) |
| Marble Plastic Surgery | ₩2,500,000 (≈ US$1,890) VAT excluded · Arm liposuction (fee notice starting price) arms |
| YUNO Plastic Surgery | ₩1,500,000 (≈ US$1,130) VAT not stated · Liposuction, one area 1 area |
Lowest regular price each clinic lists, with its own item and VAT basis.
Questions to ask the clinic
- Does the quote cover the flanks only, or also the waist, back or abdomen? Ask for the areas in writing.
- Which method and anaesthesia will be used, and who gives it?
- Is my skin firm enough for the result I want, or will loose skin remain?
- How long is the compression garment worn, and when may I fly home?
- What happens if the result is uneven or not as planned, and at what cost?
- Is VAT included in the written quote? Is it a regular or an event price?
FAQ
Can exercise remove love handles?
Cleveland Clinic says there is no easy way to target fat loss to one area and advises a calorie deficit, more movement and strength training. A trial of 24 sedentary adults found six weeks of abdominal exercise did not reduce abdominal subcutaneous fat.
Is liposuction a way to lose weight?
No. Cleveland Clinic and ASPS both say liposuction is not a treatment for obesity, and Mayo Clinic says it is not an overall weight-loss method. It lowers the fat in specific areas, and the doctor decides after an examination which areas can be treated.
Can love handles come back after liposuction?
Cleveland Clinic says liposuction does not prevent you from gaining weight and your body can regrow fat where it was removed. It advises staying at a healthy weight to keep your new shape. Ask the surgeon what to expect if your weight changes.
Does liposuction tighten loose skin or remove cellulite?
No. Cleveland Clinic says liposuction alone cannot improve saggy, loose skin and does not remove cellulite. ASPS says liposuction works for people of normal weight with some extra fat, that skin which is soft and thin will not reshape as well, and that removing extra skin may need more surgery.
Sources
- Cleveland Clinic: Liposuction, what it is, surgery, recovery and results
- Cleveland Clinic: Visceral fat vs. subcutaneous fat
- Cleveland Clinic: Fat freezing (cryolipolysis)
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS): Where on your body can you get liposuction?
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS): Liposuction
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS): Liposuction procedure steps
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS): Liposuction recovery
- Mayo Clinic: Liposuction
- Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research (PubMed abstract): Vispute and colleagues, The effect of abdominal exercise on abdominal fat (2011)