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Thigh Liposuction: The Most Frequently Performed Cosmetic Surgery
The fat and cellulite that eventually develops on thighs (often named “saddlebags” or “thunder thighs”) make it necessary for some women to buy different size tops and bottoms. When no amount of exercise or diet reduces that area, many resort to thigh liposuction, a surgical procedure that can eliminate the excess bulk.
Fat disposition is the result of genetics, hormones, diet and life style. The number of fat cells you will have during your lifetime is established in late childhood. Fat cells will increase with weight gain and decrease with weight loss, but will never vanish unless they are removed.
Thigh liposuction is now the most frequently performed cosmetic surgery in the world. It is popular due to its tangible and immediate results. Although the procedure is not without some risks, the alternative is surgical removal of skin and fat which often results in visible scarring and a longer rehabilitation period.
Candidates
When thigh liposuction became part of the cosmetic surgery schedule, the
ideal candidate was typically under forty. Today, the criteria are less
particularized, and age is no longer a primary factor. Candidates are
basically chosen with attention to their degree of skin elasticity and
weight, which can be from 20 to 40 lbs. above their ideal weight.
The Procedure
The thigh liposuction procedure has not changed since its inception in
1982. Initially, it was known as “suction-assisted lipolysis”
(SAL).
Liposuction begins with the installation of a hypotonic saline solution
into the designated areas to rupture the adipose tissue. A combination
of lidocaine and adrenaline is added to the saline solution in order to
produce an almost blood-free drainage, and some post-operative pain control.
A metal cannula (a tube-like apparatus) that is attached to a hose on
a suction machine is moved in and out of the fat to break it up and eliminate
it.
The only variables to this standard procedure, which are controlled
by the surgeon, are the following:
- The quantity of fluid injected in the body
- The size and distribution of the holes in the cannula
- The length of the incisions (determines sutures or no sutures)
- The amount of fat to be eliminated.
The After-effects of Liposuction
Complications associated with thigh liposuction are rare, and their occurrence
can be contingent on the patient’s health prior to the procedure.
Whenever large amounts of fluid are introduced into the body, a patient
must be carefully monitored for signs of cardiopulmonary problems. Bruising
resulting from liposuction is common and may take several weeks to disappear.
Other potential complications:
- Since blood loss is minimal, there is little change in blood volume; nevertheless, dressings should be checked regularly for excess bleeding.
- Inactivity can lead to blood clot formation; therefore, it is important not to sit for prolonged periods of time, but rather to move and walk frequently.
- All surgical procedures can incur potential infection, so post-operative monitoring of the patient’s body temperature should be carried out.
The Recovery
The lidocaine used in thigh liposuction will help reduce the initial pain.
Your doctor will most likely suggest a pain medicine such as Tylenol or
Motrin for post-surgery relief of any lingering discomforts. A pressure
garment is sometimes recommended to help control the amount of edema (swelling)
that may result. In most cases, thigh liposuction does not require a lengthy
recovery period, and patients are usually able to return to work in a
week or two, depending on their type of work.
An Important Tip
Choose your surgeon wisely - many plastic surgeons are also cosmetic surgeons,
and board certified. Ask to see before and after pictures, and get a referral
from someone who has had good results from their thigh liposuction. A
great number of doctors have jumped on the bandwagon merely because of
increasing obesity, and there is an endless demand for this type of surgery
from the baby boomers. Be wary - do not believe that all doctors who advertise
liposuction are skilled cosmetic surgeons.
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