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Updated 06/13/07
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Thigh
Liposuction
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Liposuction
is a technique for reshaping
the body by permanently
removing localized fat
deposits. Liposuction is one of the most
commonly performed procedures
in cosmetic plastic surgery.
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.
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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 schedule a
consultation with Dr. Kremer / Dr. Zettl.
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What
are some of the most common benefits
of this procedure?
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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 better.
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What
will happen at the initial
consultation?
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During the consultation, you and
Dr. Kremer / Dr. Zettl will discuss the changes that you
would like to make in your
appearance. He
will explain the different options
available to you, the procedure
itself, and its risks and
limitations as well as the kind of
anesthesia required.
Dr. Kremer / Dr. Zettl will begin with a
physical examination to evaluate
your overall weight, your skin and
muscle tone, and the fat deposits in
various parts of your body. He will
also take a medical
history, including any medications
that you are currently taking. A
careful history of your weight, diet
and exercise is important as well.
Keep in mind that the higher your
goals, the more you will have to do
to achieve those goals. If you are
just concerned about removing fat,
liposuction alone will achieve that
goal. But if you want an athletic,
sculpted look, and you want to look
great in a bikini, you may need to
incorporate extensive exercise into
your plan.
Be sure to ask all the questions you
have about the procedure. Learning
everything you can about your
options, risks and benefits is the
key to making an informed decision.
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How
is thigh liposuction performed?
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Before surgery, Dr. Kremer / Dr. Zettl
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.
During the procedure, Dr. Kremer / Dr. Zettl
makes tiny incisions in the skin,
typically near the buttock crease
and over the lateral thighs, and inserts
thin tubes called cannulas into the fatty
areas. The
cannulas are used to break up the fat
deposits and sculpt the area to the
desired proportions. There
are a number of different cannulas
available today that differ in
length, diameter and the shape of
their tips. The unwanted fat is
suctioned out with a powerful
vacuum, leaving the skin, muscles,
nerves, and blood vessels intact.
In the tumescent technique
("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.
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 and is not used by Dr. Kremer / Dr. Zettl.
The technique Dr. Kremer / Dr. Zettl
will choose for your
operation will be determined by a
combination of factors, including
the precise area to be treated, the
amount of fat to be removed, or the
quality of your skin.
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How
long does the procedure take?
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On average, the procedure takes 1-2
hours per area treated.
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Will
I need to stay in a hospital?
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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 Dr. Kremer / Dr. Zettl’s office or
in an outpatient clinic. 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 your recovery process
can be monitored by a medical staff.
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How
much pain is there?
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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.
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What
can I expect afterward?
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For a day or two, you can expect to
feel tired, as though your body has
been through a workout. Your legs
will be stiff and store, and you may
experience some pain, burning,
swelling, or temporary
numbness. Dr. Kremer / Dr. Zettl will prescribe
medication to relieve this initial
discomfort.
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.
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What
is the recovery period like?
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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, Dr. Kremer / Dr. Zettl
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.
In
some patients - depending on the
individual skin quality - Dr. Kremer / Dr. Zettl
may find it indicated to initiate a
postoperative treatment with Endermology™.
This external treatment will be
continued for several weeks over at
least 30 minutes per session and
aids in quicker reduction of
postoperative swelling as well as
formation of a smoother skin
surface.
It’s important to continue wearing
the compression garment, which
should be easily hidden under your
clothing, until Dr. Kremer / Dr. Zettl
tells you
that it is no longer necessary.
Read
our Postoperative
Care Form from the comfort of
your home NOW!
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What
is the long-term outcome like for
most people?
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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.
Most people are pleased with the new
contour of their thighs and often
feel a boost in energy and
self-confidence.
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How
long do the results last?
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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.
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Ideal
candidate:
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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 surgeon.
- Are
well informed about the
procedure
- Hold
realistic expectations about the
outcome
The
above is only a partial list of the
criteria that Dr. Kremer / Dr. Zettl
will
consider in determining whether or
not this procedure is appropriate
for you.
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Other
important information:
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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.
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Risks
and limitations:
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Although
liposuction is the most commonly
performed cosmetic plastic surgery
procedure worldwide, 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.
More serious complications include
blood clots, infection, excessive
fluid loss leading to shock, and fluid
build-up in the lungs. 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 Dr. Kremer / Dr. Zettl’s
instructions, both before and after
surgery.
Read
our Specific
Surgical Risks Form from the
comfort of your home NOW!
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Be
sure to:
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- Tell
Dr. Kremer / Dr. Zettl about any allergies
you have (to foods, drugs,
environmental elements)
- Tell
Dr. Kremer / Dr. Zettl if you have a history
of bad scarring, such as keloids.
- Tell
Dr. Kremer / Dr. Zettl about all
medications, herbal supplements
or natural supplements you are
taking (both prescription and
non-prescription)
- Carefully
follow any instructions Dr. Kremer / Dr. Zettl
gives you regarding
eating and drinking and smoking.
- Avoid
aspirin and aspirin-containing
medicines for
two weeks prior to surgery.
- Arrange
for someone to drive you home
after surgery or after discharge
from the day surgery center or
the hospital.
- Please
inform Dr. Kremer / Dr. Zettl immediately in
case you should experience fever
or symptoms of an infection
after surgery.
Tell
Dr. Kremer / Dr. Zettl if you have any of the
following pre-existing conditions:
- thyroid
problems such as hypothyroidism
- elevated
blood pressure or other
circulatory disorders
- cardiovascular
disease
- diabetes
- any
other serious medical
condition(s)
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
personal options is to schedule a
personal consultation with Dr. Kremer / Dr. Zettl. He will be able to answer
specific questions related to your
situation.
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