Thigh Liposuction

Thigh liposuction, or thigh lipoplasty, is a surgical procedure that removes fatty deposits from the thighs to improve their shape and contour. Usually requested by women, thigh liposuction can be a great way to contour the thighs without compromising too much of the surrounding skin.

A board-certified cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Gordon Andan regularly performs liposuction on many areas of the body. Thigh liposuction is a safe and effective procedure that requires a skilled surgeon like Dr. Andan to achieve amazing results.

To schedule your initial consultation with him today, contact New York Surgical Arts directly by calling (516) 746-0155. With offices in New York City and Garden City, NY, we also provide a simple contact form for our prospective patients.

All About Liposuction

Liposuction procedures vary in technique, but every type uses a small cannula (hollow needle) to both break up the fat cells and suction them out safely with a medical vacuum. This is one of the main reasons why the procedure is so successful. There is minimal tissue damage and very little blood loss associated with liposuction, allowing the procedure to be performed on almost every part of the body with little chance of complications. There are many different types including tumescent, ultrasound-assisted, and VASER.

Tumescent Liposuction

Liposuction used to be performed under general anesthesia with no addition of liquid. Tumescent liposuction was introduced in 1985, changing the way surgeons performed the procedure forever. With the application of fluid into the treatment area, the fat cells start to balloon, making extraction much easier. The solution used for tumescent liposuction also contains numbing medication, so the patient does not require general anesthesia during surgery. It is performed with the addition of local anesthetic to keep the patient comfortable. ⁽¹⁾

This method of liposuction remains the standard all around the world due to its safety and effectiveness. Surgeons can remove up to 5 liters of fat through this process, and the insertion of small cannulas does not require sutures once the procedure is complete.

Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction (UAL)

Studies have shown that the efficacy of ultrasound-assisted liposuction is good when used to contour the inner and outer thighs. This technique still uses saline-based fluid but utilizes an ultrasonic cannula to damage and break up the fat deposits before removal. The ultrasonic element allows for more precise targeting of cells, making the process more selective in nature. ⁽²⁾

Since its inception in the early 2000s, a specific type of UAL called VASER has been proven to provide excellent results on many different areas of the body, including the thighs. Often used to etch and structure the abdomen, VASER produces great results with minimal complications and far less blood loss than earlier examples of UAL.⁽³⁾

VASER-assisted Liposuction

The VASER system uses concentrated ultrasonic energy to emulsify the fat cells before suction. This process of liquifying the fat cells themselves makes it easier to target specific deposits. Ultrasonic energy effectively destroys the fat cells and allows for easier removal as the vibration flows through the tissue without damaging vital vessels and fibers. This type of liposuction is often used to shape and define the abdomen, but can also be applied to the thighs for precise fat removal. ⁽⁴⁾

Benefits of Thigh Liposuction

If you are dissatisfied with the contour of your thighs, liposuction offers the following benefits:

Thigh liposuction patients can enjoy the following after their procedure:

Candidates for Thigh Liposuction

Ideal candidates for thigh liposuction are at a healthy, stable weight. They are also non-smokers with realistic expectations of what liposuction can achieve. If you have extra fat deposits in the upper thigh that are resistant to exercise and dieting, liposuction is a great option for you. You must have good skin elasticity in order for liposuction to be your best procedure plan.

If you have large amounts of lax skin around the thighs, you may be a better candidate for thigh lift surgery to address the excess skin.

Personal Consultation

Dr. Andan will determine if liposuction is right for you during your initial consultation. He will closely examine your thighs, focusing on the areas you would like to improve. This will assist him in preparing a treatment plan that best fits your cosmetic needs.

Fat can collect on all parts of the thigh, and often bulges along the inner or outer contours of the upper legs. Depending on where you hold your weight, Dr. Andan explains exactly how he will achieve your ideal contour through the procedure. Once he determines you are a good candidate and you understand your individualized treatment plan, a member of our team will gladly assist you in scheduling your liposuction and follow-up appointments at the end of your consultation.

Preparation

The best ways to prepare for liposuction include:

Thigh liposuction is an outpatient procedure, meaning you will be able to go home soon after your surgery. It is helpful to pick up any prescriptions Dr. Andan writes for you before the day of your procedure. Any other preparation steps necessary will be shared during your first appointment with us.

Thigh Liposuction Procedure

Dr. Andan starts the process by marking the thighs to visually plan his strategy. Once you are properly marked, he administers local anesthesia to the thighs and waits to start the procedure until you are completely comfortable and will not feel any pain. Most liposuction procedures are performed under local anesthesia. There is usually no use of general anesthesia, allowing patients to recover quickly. General anesthesia is however available if larger areas of liposuction is desired and or, according to the patients’ wishes.

Once the treatment area is prepared, Dr. Andan uses a cannula to administer an infiltrating solution. No matter the type and technique performed, most liposuction procedures include this step.

After the thighs swell, a different cannula is inserted through tiny incisions around the treatment area. This cannula performs the suction portion of the surgery. As the fat is removed, Dr. Andan constantly observes the amount taken and assesses the state of the thigh until the desired contour is achieved. After carefully removing the cannula, Dr. Andan applies surgical tape to the small incisions since they do not typically require sutures.

We will require you to wear compression garments to help with swelling and to preserve your new thigh shape while you heal.

Recovery & Results

Thigh liposuction has minimal downtime. Most patients need only 2 or 3 days off of work before they can return to their daily activities. You should avoid strenuous exercise for 2 weeks, or until you are cleared by Dr. Andan. You will experience some swelling and bruising, but this usually subsides quickly.

Once fat cells are removed by liposuction, they are gone forever. It is important, however, to maintain a healthy lifestyle and exercise regularly once you are fully healed to maintain your results. After the swelling and bruising subside, you will be able to enjoy your new thigh contour for many years to come.

Complementary Treatment Areas

Liposuction can be performed on many other parts of the body, most commonly the: 

Since liposuction is so versatile, it can address multiple areas of the body in one procedure. If you come in for thigh liposuction, you may also be a good candidate for abdominal or arm liposuction in the same procedure. Liposuctioned fat can also be reinjected in some cases for volume rejuvenation in the face and buttocks. This process, called fat transfer, can be performed on the face to resolve volume loss in the cheeks and under the eyes. It can also be used to fill deep scarring to achieve smoother skin on the face and the body. Fat transfer to the buttocks is called Brazilian Butt Lift, a popular procedure to enhance the contours of the bottom to create a highly sought-after “hourglass” figure.

The New York Surgical Arts blog contains even more information about all things related to liposuction. Give it a quick read if you’re interested in finding out more about our services.

How Much Does Thigh Liposuction Cost in New York?

The total cost of your thigh liposuction procedure depends on the amount of fat that is extracted and the time it takes to complete the surgery. We will provide a detailed price estimate during your initial consultation. Schedule your first appointment by calling our New York office at (516) 746-0155.

References

1. Venkataram J. Tumescent liposuction: A review. Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery. 2008;1(2):49. doi:https://doi.org/10.4103/0974-2077.44159
2. Bellini E, Grieco MP, Raposio E. A journey through liposuction and liposculpture: Review. Annals of Medicine and Surgery. 2017;24:53-60. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amsu.2017.10.024
3. Onelio Garcia Jr. Contouring of the Extremities. Springer eBooks. Published online January 1, 2020:99-132. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-26875-6_8
4. Ciudad P, Manrique OJ, Bustos SS, et al. Single-stage VASER-assisted liposuction and lymphatico-venous anastomoses for the treatment of extremity lymphedema: a case series and systematic review of the literature. Gland Surgery. 2020;9(2):545-557. doi:https://doi.org/10.21037/gs.2020.01.13