If you want to improve the appearance of your thighs, chances are you already know that it’s almost impossible to do so with diet and exercise. However, thigh liposuction and thigh lift surgery are great options for getting the contoured thighs and results you want.

How is thigh liposuction different from a thigh lift? Let’s take a look at both procedures, starting with thigh liposuction, as this will help to highlight the differences.

Thigh Liposuction

Liposuction is a procedure that is typically done to get rid of excess fat in selected areas. Thigh liposuction will eliminate localized deposits of fat in the thigh area, leaving the thighs slimmer and contoured. It is usually performed on the inner thighs, but may extend to the entire thigh region.

When liposuction is done on the inner thighs, the procedure gets rid of the extra fat that causes friction between the legs. Liposuction on the outer thighs eliminates excess fat, often referred to as saddlebags.

How thigh liposuction works

The surgeon will make tiny incisions in the treatment area, and then insert the cannula which is used to break apart and suction out the excess fat. There may be some swelling after thigh liposuction, and this can take several weeks to resolve.

Thigh Lift

A thigh lift is a surgical procedure that is done to tone and sculpt the inner and outer thighs. It is the ideal way to contour thighs that have a lot of loose skin, which is often due to aging, or weight fluctuations. During the procedure the surgeon will trim away excess skin and fat from the thighs, to improve contours and definition.

Thigh Lift Surgery

A thigh lift is an outpatient procedure that is typically done under general anesthesia, and takes about 2 hours on average. Depending on the area that needs to be contoured, the surgeon will perform a medial thigh lift, or a lateral thigh lift.

• A medial thigh lift focuses on tightening the skin of the inner thighs. The incisions are usually made within the groin crease, so they are well hidden after healing. It’s the ideal procedure for people with extra skin on the upper section of the inner thighs.
• A lateral thigh lift targets the excess skin on the outer thighs. The incisions for this procedure are typically made at the top of the leg, and may extend around the back.

However, there are also times when both procedures may be required.

Although thigh liposuction and a thigh lift can both tone and contour the thighs, they are very different procedures. Thigh liposuction is designed to get rid of redundant fatty tissue from the thigh area, but does not eliminate any excess skin. On the other hand, a thigh lift will get rid of excess skin as well as some fat.

Which is right for you?

If you have saddlebag thighs, liposuction may be the right option to remove the excess fat and contour your thighs. Getting rid of the extra fat may be all you need to reshape your thighs. However if you have loose, saggy skin on the thighs, a thigh lift would be the better choice, as it will tighten up the loose skin.

Thigh lift surgery is often recommended for people that have undergone substantial weight loss, and are left with extra skin and tissue that they need to eliminate. Ideal patients for a thigh lift should be already at or near their goal weight, and simply want to improve the appearance of their thighs.

If you are unhappy with the appearance of your thighs, you may be a good candidate for a thigh lift, thigh liposuction, or both.  It’s therefore best to consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to find out which procedure would be the right choice for you.

For patients near Beverly Hills & Pasadena, CA

Clients in Beverly Hills and Pasadena, CA can contact Dr. Leif Rogers for more information. Call (310) 860-8915 to schedule a consultation at the practice in Beverly Hills, or (626) 537-3737 for the office in Pasadena.