You may have found that when you attempt to rid yourself of the fat in your thighs through diet and exercise, the pounds rarely come off of this part of your body. To add to your frustration, after sacrificing and exerting all that effort, your body just ends up appearing disproportioned as you lose weight in other areas.
This frustration, which is shared by countless men and women, has led to thigh liposuction, especially that of the outer thighs and hips or “saddlebags”, to become the most commonly performed kind of cosmetic surgery in the United States.
In most cases, liposuction can correct this problem by trimming excess fat in the thighs and restoring a more attractive balance to your body’s fat content. Not only can your newly sculpted thighs provide you with a psychological lift, you may experience less chafing in your thigh area and find that your clothes fit better. An added bonus is that because adult bodies cannot replace the fat cells removed by liposuction, the results tend to be permanent!
Before beginning the procedure, you will need to consult with a cosmetic surgeon who will discuss your goals with you, and present you with options. He or she will review your medical history, note any medications you are currently taking, review your diet and exercise habits, and evaluate your weight, skin and muscle tone, and the fat content in different parts of your body.
You should take advantage of this consultation to ask questions regarding the risks and benefits of each proposed option, to review before and after photos, and to collect patient references. Although liposuction has become a fairly safe procedure, it should not be entered into lightly. You should ensure that your prospective cosmetic surgeon is board certified and has extensive successful experience performing the specific procedure you are considering.
The procedure itself typically takes about one to two hours per body area treated (thigh liposuction is sometimes performed in conjunction with liposuction of the buttocks ). And if the amount of fat to be removed is small and you don’t have any medical problems, the procedure may be able to be performed on an outpatient basis.
Depending on the amount of fat to be removed, the precise area to be treated, and your preferences, your cosmetic surgeon will use the super-wet, tumescent, or ultrasound-assisted (UAL) liposuction techniques. And even if done on an outpatient basis with a local anesthetic and a light sedative, you should experience minimal pain.
After the procedure, you may feel tired and experience some stiffness, soreness, pain, swelling, bleeding, burning, or temporary numbness. It may also be necessary to insert a small tube under the skin to drain excess fluid. Your cosmetic surgeon can prescribe medication to relieve your initial discomfort. You will also be fitted with a compression garment similar to pantyhose that is to be worn up to six weeks after surgery to help reduce swelling and help your thigh settle into its newly sculpted shape.
Although you may see noticeable results within three weeks after your surgery, the full effects will not be apparent for six months to a year. Most people, however, end up very pleased with the results and tend to experience a marked increase in energy and self-confidence.
If you are ready to show off new sleeker, sculpted thighs, talk to an experienced cosmetic surgeon today.
