While diet and exercise can yield great physical benefits, they may not always lead to the cosmetic results we want. The thighs, in particular, are notoriously difficult to sculpt. If you are troubled by saddlebags or frustrated that your strong leg muscles are being hidden away under fat, liposuction can help you get the sleek results you want. Here’s what you should know about liposuction for the thighs.
Your Liposuction Consultation
When you come in for your consultation, we will discuss your health history, your cosmetic goals, and what you can expect from the procedure. If you have both excess thigh fat and loose skin, your surgeon may recommend a thigh lift instead of or in combination with liposuction.
If you are interested in exploring other options, we can also cover whether a nonsurgical approach to thigh fat removal, such as CoolSculpting®, may be right for you. CoolSculpting produces more gradual and less dramatic results than liposuction but does not require downtime. Learn more about which procedure is right for you in our related blog post.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Liposuction?
Ideal candidates for leg liposuction are in good health, within 20 pounds of their ideal weight, and have localized fat deposits on their thighs that have resisted diet and exercise.
While liposuction can produce stunning results, we encourage patients to have realistic expectations about what the procedure can achieve. We especially want to stress that liposuction is not a weight loss procedure. It offers targeted fat reduction and contouring as the “finishing touch” to your existing healthy lifestyle.
Liposuction Options
At Lewis Plastic Surgery, we offer two types of liposuction: traditional tumescent liposuction and VASERlipo, which uses ultrasound to liquefy the fat before removal. Both approaches are minimally invasive and can produce excellent results.
We will discuss which procedure is more appropriate for your unique case during your consultation.
Your Thigh Lipo Procedure
Depending on the extent of your procedure and your personal preferences, you may be put under local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia. We will inject the treatment area(s) with a tumescent solution, which acts as a local anesthetic, makes the fat easier to remove, and reduces bleeding.
We will make small, discreet incisions on your thighs and insert a thin, hollow tube called a cannula (if traditional liposuction) or an ultrasound probe (for VASERlipo) to break up the fat deposits. The cannula is then used (in both procedures) to suction the fat out of the body before the incisions are closed.
Liposuction Recovery
We will send you home wearing compression garments on each leg to reduce swelling and support the healing process. Most patients take 3 to 7 days off work after their procedure, though the length of your recovery will depend on the extent of your procedure. We will provide detailed post-operative care instructions to help you enjoy a smooth recovery.
Thigh Liposuction Results
You can see notable improvements in your thighs almost immediately, though your results will continue to develop over the following weeks as the swelling diminishes. Scarring is extremely minimal and should not impact your cosmetic results.
The body can’t regenerate new fat cells, so once the fat is removed, it is gone for good. However, your existing fat cells can still shrink or enlarge with weight fluctuations. Keeping up a healthy lifestyle and maintaining a stable weight can help you enjoy your results as long as possible.
If you are ready to take the next step toward sleeker legs and sculpted thighs, please request a consultation or call us at (804) 267-6009 to get started.
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