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Liposuction (Both Thighs)
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What is Liposuction
of the thighs?
Liposuction of the thighs
removes deposits of excess fat from the inner and outer thighs with specialized
surgical suctioning equipment.
How is it done?
Treatment time will vary depending
on the size of the area and the amount of fat being removed. Liposuction may be
performed under a local anesthesia which numbs the affected areas, usually combined
with intravenous sedation. For more extensive procedures, a general anesthesia may
be used. During the procedure the surgeon will insert a narrow tube called a cannula
through a tiny incision, typically near the buttock crease. The cannula is pushed
and pulled through the fat layer breaking up the fat cells and suctioning them out.
Surgeons may use a “dry” technique, a “tumescent” technique
(that introduces large amounts of fluid to the area being worked on). After surgery,
you will be required to wear pressure bandages on your thighs to reduce swelling.
Why is it done?
Liposuction of the thighs
gives added contour and definition to the thighs and buttocks. The procedure
may also be part of an operation to treat lipomas (benign, non-cancerous tumors
of fat).
Risks & complications
Complications specific to
liposuction are infrequent and usually minor. However, as with any surgery, there
are risks, including the possibility of:
- Bleeding under the
skin (hematoma) after the surgery
- Lumpy red scars
- Infection requiring
antibiotics and in some cases hospitalization
- Irregularities
in skin contour
- Permanent changes
to the color of the skin, and some loss of normal feeling in those areas
- Pulmonary edema
- Allergic reaction
in some patients to fluid used in tumescent liposuction
- Reaction to
the anesthesia
There may be significant bruising
and swelling after surgery which may take several months to settle completely. Risks
can be reduced by following the surgeon's instructions before and after surgery.
Alternatives
The surgeon may discuss alternative
approaches to the liposuction procedure, for example the “wet” or “ultrasound”
approaches mentioned above. However, the main alternative to liposuction is simply
to leave the fat deposits as they are. Diet and exercise regimens may be of benefit
in the overall reduction of excess body fat. Direct removal of excess skin
may be needed in addition to liposuction treatment in some patients. [ Lower Body
Lift or Inner Thigh Lift ]
Candidate eligibility
The best candidates for liposuction
are individuals of relatively normal weight who have excess fat in particular areas.
Having firm, elastic skin will result in a better final result. The surgeon will
make the final determination of eligibility for the procedure after an examination
and consultation with the patient. Patients with bleeding disorders or underlying
severe medical problems may not be eligible for liposuction surgery.
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