There is something about thighs rubbing together that can set people to a tizzy. Having curves isn’t the issue; it’s when the fat on your legs just doesn’t seem to belong. Even though there are so many different exercises to tone and tighten your thighs, stubborn fat is indeed stubborn. When exercise doesn’t work, surgical options can help get rid of those unwanted pockets of fat. Two standard procedures for thighs are a lift or liposuction, but both need to be discussed with a doctor to make sure that you are making an educated choice.
Liposuction is very common in cosmetic surgery, and we tend to associate with helping with abdominal fat, but more options come with it. Liposuction on the thighs can offer you a one-time procedure to eliminate that troublesome fat and give you that contoured look that you are after. The process itself involves a thin hollow tube called a cannula, which is gently run along the underside of the skin. Through incisions made, the tube is moved back and forth in controlled motions to loosen the fat for it to be sucked through the machine. Once that part is completed, your skin will be pulled taut, which leaves you with a smooth contoured appearance.
Recovery from thigh liposuction can vary from person to person based on the area treated. Usually, it will take six weeks; for the first 2, you may experience swelling, bruising, and pain, which means minimal activity. By the 6th week, you can usually resume daily routine and enjoy your new thighs. Although the quick recovery time and the promise of contoured legs are very appealing, you must consider the possible risks associated with thigh liposuction. You could have contour irregularities where your skin appears bumpy or withered due to uneven fat removal. Those bumps are caused by fluid accumulation, where temporary pockets of fluid can form under the skin. And as usual, for any procedure, you are at risk of infection, rare but still possible in this case.
Another possible procedure, as mentioned before, is a thigh lift. This may sound very similar to a facelift because it does follow the same general idea. For inner thigh lifts, incisions are made in the groin, extending downward and wrapping around the thigh’s back. An outer thigh lift has an incision extending from the groin around the hip and across the back of the thigh. For both sides, deep sutures within the underlying tissues help to form and support the shaped contours.
During recovery, small, thin tubes might be placed under the skin only temporarily to be able to drain excess fluid or blood that may collect. You will have to discuss with your doctor how to care for the surgical sites, medications, specific concerns to look for, and follow up. Your results will be visible almost immediately, and it is recommended to take about ten days off from work and other daily activities. The full recovery time is from 4 to 6 weeks, which depends on the inner or outer thigh lift. This procedure, like liposuction, also comes with its own set of risks, including bleeding, infection, asymmetry, unfavorable scarring, and the possibility of revisionary surgery.
When it comes to deciding which procedure is best for you, it’s essential to talk to your surgeon about the results you are looking for. Asking questions like the costs, risks, and if the amount of fat will affect which procedure you would need.