Abdomen and flanks liposuction in Gangnam, Seoul — flank vs waist, planned as one line
The flanks are the sides of the torso between the lowest ribs and the hip bones — they shape the curve of the waist. At Royal Line in Gangnam, Seoul, the upper abdomen, lower abdomen and flanks are planned as one waist line, and liposuction targets the subcutaneous fat under the skin, not visceral fat.
The abdomen is a region of several surfaces that connect to the flanks, so treating one part alone can look awkward. This guide covers the abdominal regions and the types of fat.
Abdomen and flanks: the three zones
- Upper abdomen: below the sternum; folds when seated
- Lower abdomen: below the navel; fat accumulates easily
- Flank (side): the waist side line; sets the "cinch" of the waist
Where are the flanks? Flank vs waist
People often use “flanks” and “waist” for the same thing, but they are different parts of one contour. The waist is the narrowest circumference of the torso. The flanks are the soft tissue at its sides, between the lowest ribs and the top of the hip bones — the area commonly called “love handles.”
Because the flanks sit on the edge of the silhouette, fat there changes how the waist reads from the front and from behind: the curve can look straighter even when the front of the abdomen is relatively flat. That is why an abdomen consultation looks at the sides, not only the belly.
Abdomen and flanks belong together
Because the abdomen and flanks share the waist line, treating the abdomen alone can leave the side line and look awkward. Designing the waist cinch together is more natural.
The abdomen is governed by "waist line flow" more than "flatness." A defined waist comes from including the flanks.
Subcutaneous vs visceral fat
Liposuction addresses the subcutaneous fat beneath the skin. The visceral fat inside the abdomen is not a target, so where visceral fat is significant, liposuction alone may not reduce the belly enough. That is why the two are distinguished in consultation to set expectations. The ASPS explains liposuction is for contouring, not weight loss.
A frequent follow-up question is whether removed fat “moves” elsewhere. A photographic-measurement study of 301 liposuction and abdominoplasty cases reported fat reduction in treated areas without evidence of redistribution to untreated areas during follow-up[1]. Individual results still vary with weight change, skin quality and lifestyle.
The Royal Line approach & references
Royal Line designs the upper, lower and flank abdomen as one waist line with the three-step Lot Liposuction® method, checking subcutaneous vs visceral fat and skin elasticity. Where post-pregnancy elasticity or the abdominal wall is involved, the approach may differ. Together with Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic guidance, plans and expectations are confirmed with a physician. An evidence-based review of liposuction summarises how patient selection, technique and safety measures are weighed when planning[2].
Consider a consultation if…
- You are planning abdomen liposuction and are unsure whether the flanks should be included
- The sides of your waist hold a fold that you want assessed together with the belly
- You are not sure whether your belly is mainly subcutaneous or visceral fat
- You have had a pregnancy and want skin elasticity and the abdominal wall checked
- You are visiting Seoul for a limited time and need to plan recovery around your flight — see the recovery timeline and cost guides
Frequently asked questions
Where are the flanks on the body?
The flanks are the soft sides of the torso between the lowest ribs and the top of the hip bones — the area often called “love handles.” They form the side curve of the waist, so they are assessed together with the abdomen.
What is the difference between the flanks and the waist?
The waist is the narrowest part of the torso; the flanks are the tissue at its sides that shapes how that curve reads from the front and back. Fat at the flanks can make the waist look straighter even when the front of the abdomen is flat.
Should the abdomen and flanks be done together?
The abdomen and flanks share the waist line, so designing them together often looks more natural. Treating the abdomen alone can leave the side line, which appears awkward. Whether both are needed is decided at consultation.
Does liposuction remove visceral fat?
Liposuction addresses subcutaneous fat beneath the skin, not the visceral fat inside the abdomen. Where visceral fat is significant, the belly may not reduce enough with liposuction alone, which is explained in consultation.
Is post-pregnancy abdomen possible?
Results depend on skin elasticity and the abdominal wall. Where elasticity is low or there is rectus diastasis, the approach may differ, so the condition is checked in consultation.
References
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons — Liposuction
- Mayo Clinic — Liposuction
- Cleveland Clinic — Liposuction
- [1] Swanson E. Photographic measurements in 301 cases of liposuction and abdominoplasty reveal fat reduction without redistribution. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2012. PMID 22842428
- [2] Chia CT, Neinstein RM, Theodorou SJ. Evidence-Based Medicine: Liposuction. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2017. PMID 28027260
