iEnhance Home iEnhance Newsletter
  Home Our Community Newsroom
Plastic Surgery
Facial Plastic Surgery
Dermatology
Cosmetic Dentistry
Vision
 
Locate a Specialist
Photo Gallery
Procedures
 
Doctor's Lounge
Patient Financing
Message Board
Video Room

Thigh Liposculpture

(Liposuction)
 
Liposuction is a technique for reshaping the body by permanently removing localized fat deposits. Liposuction is popular with both men and women, and is the most commonly performed procedure of all plastic surgeries in the United States.

Fatty deposits on the inner and outer thighs are especially resistant to diet and exercise. Many patients become discouraged at having lost unwanted pounds without seeing a significant change in the lower body. The overall proportions of the body may be unbalanced. In these cases, liposuction can successfully trim the excess fat in the thighs to achieve a more attractive balance and symmetry to the body. In fact, this is the most common area of the body for liposuction.

If you’re considering thigh liposuction, the following information will provide you with a good introduction to the procedure. For more detailed information about how this procedure may help you, we recommend that you consult a dermatologist who is board certified or has completed a residency program that includes instruction in this procedure.
Thigh Liposculpture (Liposuction) Photo Gallery
Thigh Liposculpture (Liposuction) Video Gallery
 
Printer Friendly Pages Email This To Friend
 

What are some of the most common benefits of this procedure?
A newly trim lower body can provide a psychological lift and an extra incentive to exercise regularly to maintain fitness. Many patients express relief at not being bothered by chafing in the thigh area, and they also find that clothes tend to fit them
Go to TOP
 

How is thigh liposuction performed?
Before surgery, the doctor will mark the precise areas of the body where the fat is to be removed. An intravenous (IV) line will be inserted in a vein in your arm to make sure the fluid level in your body remains in balance. If you are not undergoing general anesthesia, you may be given a sedative for relaxation.

During the procedure, the doctor makes a tiny incision in the skin, typically in or near the buttock crease or at the site of a previous scar, and inserts a thin tube called a cannula into the fatty area. The cannula is used to break up the fat deposits and sculpt the area to the desired proportions. The unwanted fat is removed with a high pressure vacuum, leaving the skin, muscles, nerves, and blood vessels intact.

In the super-wet technique, a saline solution containing a local anesthetic and adrenaline is injected into the area to be treated, which makes the fat deposits easier to break up and extract. This extra fluid also minimizes trauma to the surrounding tissue, reducing swelling and post-operative pain. The administration of adrenaline also decreases bleeding during surgery, further reducing risks.

The tumescent techniquein which even larger amounts of liquid solution are injected, has similar benefits.

A relatively new method, ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL), uses sound waves to liquefy the fat after the injection of fluids. Like the super-wet and tumescent techniques, UAL minimizes trauma, bruising and blood loss. It is particularly useful on difficult-to-treat fibrous areas of the body, such as the male chest, the upper abdomen, and the upper back.

An earlier method of liposuction, called dry liposuction because no liquefying agent was used, required general anesthesia. This technique is not in frequent use today.

Your dermatologist will choose the best technique for you. His/her choice will be determined by a combination of factors, including the precise area to be treated, the amount of fat to be removed, his/her training and experience, and your preferences.
Go to TOP
 

How long does the procedure take?
On average, the procedure takes 1-2 hours per area treated.
Go to TOP
 

Where will the procedure be performed?
If you have no medical problems, and the amount of fat being removed is fairly small, the procedure can be performed on an outpatient basis, either in your doctor’s office or in an outpatient clinic. It may be performed under local anesthesia with light sedation, local anesthesia and deep sedation, or general anesthesia. The longer the procedure is expected to take, the more likely that general anesthesia will be recommended. You may be allowed to return home within a few hours of the surgery, and spend the night in the comfort of your own home. If you’re having a large amount of fat removed, concurrent procedures, or a lengthier procedure performed under general anesthesia, it may be necessary to spend the night in the hospital so a medical staff can monitor your recovery process.
Go to TOP
 

How much pain is there?
If the procedure is done with a local anesthetic supplemented by a light sedative, the pain experienced is minimal, although you may feel pressure, movement, or a vibrating sensation. More sedation will further reduce sensations, and general anesthesia will eliminate all sensation.
Go to TOP
 

What can I expect afterward?
For a day or two, you can expect to feel tired, as though your body has been through a workout – and it has! Your legs will be stiff and store, and you may experience some pain, burning, swelling, bleeding or temporary numbness. Your doctor can prescribe medication to relieve this initial discomfort.

Sometimes a small drainage tube is inserted under the skin to drain excess fluid. Your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic ointment to prevent infection at the incision sites. Your stitches will be removed in a week to 10 days, unless they dissolve on their own.

You will be fitted with a tight compression garment to be worn for up to six weeks after your surgery. This specially designed garment will help reduce pain and swelling, and help your body settle into its new shape.

Most of the bruising and swelling should subside within three weeks. To speed the healing process and to reduce the likelihood of post-operative complications, your doctor will probably tell you to begin light activity as soon as possible. You should be able to return to work within a few days if your work is fairly sedentary. You should avoid strenuous activities for several weeks as your body heals, but within 6 weeks you should be able to resume all normal activities.

It’s important to continue wearing the compression garment, which should be easily hidden under your clothing, until your doctor tells you that it is no longer necessary.

You should see the visible results of your surgery within two or three weeks, but the full effects may not be evident for six months to a year. The more fat that you had removed, the longer it will take to achieve optimal results, because the skin has to adapt to a more radical change in shape.
Go to TOP
 

How long do the results last?
The fat cells are permanently removed by liposuction, so you will not regain weight in that area. It is important to note, however, that thigh liposuction does not guarantee that you won’t gain weight or accumulate fat deposits in other areas of your body.
Go to TOP
 

Ideal candidate:
In general, the best candidates for thigh liposuction:
  • Have specific fat pockets that are resistant to diet and exercise.
  • Have had no previous surgery in the area where liposuction is desired.
  • Have firm, elastic skin.
  • Do not have frequent fluctuations in weight.
  • Desire reshaping and not weight loss.
  • Do not have significant medical problems such as diabetes, heart or lung disease, or poor circulation.
  • Are psychologically stable.
  • Do not smoke.
  • Are accepting of any limitations, as discussed with the dermatologist.
  • Are well informed about the procedure.
  • Hold realistic expectations about the outcome.
The above is only a partial list of the criteria that your doctor will consider in determining whether or not this procedure is appropriate for you. Be sure to ask your doctor if he / she considers you an ideal candidate for thigh liposuction.
Go to TOP
 

Other important information:
Since the normal aging process affects the firmness and elasticity of the skin, older patients may not achieve quite the same results as younger patients.

Thigh liposuction is often performed in conjunction with buttock liposuction.
Go to TOP
 

Risks and limitations:
Although liposuction is the most commonly performed cosmetic plastic surgery procedure in the United States, and the majority of these operations are successful, there are risks and limitations to the procedure, as with any surgery.

After surgery, some patients experience dimpling, lumpiness, numbness, scarring, discoloration, or sagging skin in the treated area. Follow-up surgery may be needed to correct these problems.

UAL liposuction may cause friction burns to the skin or to the internal organs.

More serious complications include blood clots, infection, excessive fluid loss leading to shock, fluid build-up in the lungs, and drug overdose. A combination of the following factors is associated with an increased risk of serious complications:
  • The removal of large amounts of fat
  • More than one procedure being performed at the same time
  • The use of general anesthesia
    • In order to minimize these risks, it is important that you follow all of your doctor’s instructions, both before and after surgery.
    Go to TOP
     

    Costs:
    The national average of 2007 cost of liposuction was $2,982 (Source: American Society of Plastic Surgeons). Regional averages: New England states: $2,746 Middle Atlantic states: $2,289 North Central states: $2,277 South Central states: $2,246 and Mountain/Pacific states: $2,699. These fees do not include anesthesia, operating room facility, hospital stay, and other related expenses
    Go to TOP
     

    Choosing a doctor:
    It is very important that you select a physician adequately trained and experienced in liposuction techniques. We strongly recommend that you consider choosing a doctor who is board certified or board eligible, as determined by the American Board of Medical Specialties. See our Physician Locator feature to find a doctor in your area, including detailed profile information on many of the listed doctors. Also read How to Select a Dermatologist for a more detailed discussion on choosing the right doctor.
    Go to TOP
     

    Questions to ask your doctor:
    1. Are the desired results I described realistic?
    2. Where is the surgery performed? How long will the procedure take?
    3. How much does it cost?
    4. Are there other procedures that I should consider to enhance the affects of a thigh liposuction?
    5. What kind of anesthesia is used?
    6. How will you manage fluid balance during the procedure?
    7. How will my recovery be monitored immediately after surgery?
    8. What is your experience in performing this procedure? (How long has he/she performed this procedure, and how many he/she has performed in the past year?)
    9. What percentages of patients have had significant complications? (The physician should disclose this information to you.)
    10. Will you repeat or correct procedures if it does not meet agreed upon goals? And if the procedure must be repeated / corrected, will I be charged again? (The physician should provide you with his/her policy on this issue.)
    11. May I see "before and after" photos of recent patients? The physician should provide many photos of recent patients.
    12. May I have the names and contact information for several recent thigh liposuction patients? (Follow up to get first-hand information on the procedure and the doctor.)
    13. Could I observe the exact procedure I am considering before I decide to have the surgery? (Either on videotape or ask to view one in real life.)
    14. What should I expect post-operatively, in terms of soreness, what to watch for, medication, bathing, and level of activity?
    15. Who will be assisting during the surgery? What are their qualifications? (Does the dermatologist perform the entire surgery?)
    16. Have you ever had your malpractice insurance coverage denied, revoked, suspended?
    17. Do you offer patient financing?
    Go to TOP
     

    Be sure to:
    • Tell your doctor about any allergies you have to foods, drugs, environmental elements.
    • Tell your doctor all medications, herbal supplements or natural supplements you are taking (both prescription and non-prescription), including such natural remedies as Echinacea and St. John’s Wort.
    • Be sure to tell your doctor if you smoke. Smoking can lead to complications and poor healing.
    • Tell your doctor if you have ever had fever blisters or cold sores, such as herpes or shingles. If you have had any of these conditions, you may be advised to take anti-viral medication before the procedure in order to prevent a new flare-up afterward.
    • Carefully follow any instructions your surgeon gives you regarding eating and drinking.
    • Avoid aspirin and aspirin-containing medicines for two weeks prior to the treatment.
    • Arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure and help you for a few days afterward if needed.
    The information on this web site is only intended as an introduction to this procedure and should not be used to determine whether you will have the procedure performed nor as a guarantee of the result. The best method of determining your options is to consult qualified dermatologists who are able to answer specific questions related to your situation.
    Go to TOP
     

    How do I finance this procedure?
    Did you know that 29% of all Americans have considered having an elective procedure? Of those, 60% would schedule a procedure immediately if financing was available. With iEnchance's patient financing options, money no longer has to be the barrier between you and your new image. By filling out our on-line application you can qualify for a loan in as little as 30 seconds.
    Go to TOP
    Home | Our Community | Newsroom
    Locate a Specialist | All Doctors | Photo Gallery | Procedures | Doctor's Lounge
    Extreme Makeover | The Swan | Dr. 90210 | About Us | Disclaimer
    Business Development | Contact Us | Site Map

    Find a plastic surgeon, cosmetic surgeon, dermatologist,
    vision specialist, cosmetic dentist or other specialist.

    At iEnhance, find information on top plastic surgery procedures such as breast augmentation, liposuction, facelift, tummy tuck, BOTOX ® Cosmetic, eyelid surgery, thermage, rhinoplasty; as well as teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, and other cosmetic dentistry procedures. Locate a plastic surgeon, cosmetic surgeon, cosmetic dentist, or specialist today!
    Copyright©2000 - 2010 iEnhance.com All rights reserved. Image at current page Image at current page
    Announcements:
     
    Articles:
    How Sexy Should I Go?
    Facts:

    *Top 5 Surgical Cosmetic Procedures in 2008:

    1. Breast Augmentation: 356,000
    2. Liposuction: 341,000
    3. Blepharoplasty: 195,000
    4. Rhinoplasty: 152,000
    5. Abdominoplasty: 147,000

    *Top 5 Non-Surgical Cosmetic Procedures in 2008:

    1. Botox: 2,464,000
    2. Laser Hair Removal: 1,281,000
    3. Juvederm/Restylane: 1,263,000
    4. Chemical Peel: 592,000
    5. Laser Skin Resurfacing: 571,000

    * Data collected from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
    Featured Doctors:
      Plastic Surgery
      Plastic Surgery Associates
      Dermatology
      Michael Coverman, M.D.
      Cosmetic Dentistry
      Mark Gadberry, D.D.S
      Vision
      Majid Moshirfar, MD
      Facial Plastic Surgery
      Kristin Tarbet MD -- Seattle Facelift Specialist
    Polls:
    How far are you willing to travel for a top-notch cosmetic surgeon?

    Within my city’s limits
    To a neighboring town/county
    Out of state
    Out of the country