Am I A Good Candidate For Iliac Crest Implants?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am interested in hip pelvic implants but not the kind that are simply stuffed into a pocket, I’ve been to numerous doctors and the only type of procedure they do are standard hip implants stuffed in a pocket. I have contacted a hospital in Seoul that is known for pelvic plasty but noticed one of your replies on Real Self in response to a similar inquiry. I am very lean and narrow hips and are looking to round out my figure. I am also a trans woman which only adds to my hip deficiencies. I have attached photos for your review. Look forward to hearing back from you! Thanks so much!

A: Thank you for your inquiry and sending your picture. The type of hip augmentation to which you refer is that of iliac crest implants which provides a bony augmentation to the upper hip region rather than a lower soft tissue augmentation over the greater trochanteric region of the hips. (see attached) As you know only the country of Korea offers such implants made of metal…which may (or may not) be the ideal material for augmenting the iliac crest. No one really knows since so few such surgeries have ever been done. Here is the U.S. metal iliac crests are not an FDA approved device. (and may likely never be approved as a cosmetic implant given the low demand for it) No U.S. orthopedic manufacturer will even make it as a custom implant because it falls outside of their FDA reconstructive implant approvals. As a result I have designed ultrafirm solid silicone iliac crest implants as an option here in the States but have yet to actually implant them in a patient to date.