What Does Thigh Liposuction Involve?

Thigh Liposuction can be carried out on the outer thigh, targeting so-called saddlebags, or the inner thigh, targeting excess fat and treating chafing. You may wish to have Liposuction on both the inner and outer thighs. Depending on the extent of the surgery, you may need to have more than one procedure to achieve your desired results. 

Thigh Liposuction is carried out under a general anaesthetic. Here at the Cadogan Clinic, we use Total Intravenous Anaesthesia (TIVA). This reduces initial recovery times and side effects such as nausea.

Once you have been sedated, the consultant will then make a series of tiny incisions before inserting a fine tube called a cannula. The incisions are very small, and your surgeon will ensure they are in the most discreet places to reduce visible scarring. The cannula is moved around to break up the fat cells, ready for removal. If your surgeon is using a technique called BodyJet liposuction, fluid will be passed down the cannula to help dislodge this fat without destroying it, allowing for fat transfer treatment alongside your Thigh Liposuction. High-pressure suction is then used to suck out the unwanted fat cells. The treatment area is drained of any excess fluid and blood before being stitched and dressed. You will be able to leave the clinic with a friend or family member on the same day as your Thigh Liposuction. 

Once these fat cells are removed, they do not grow back, meaning your thighs will keep their new shape, as long as you maintain a healthy weight. 

After your Thigh Liposuction, you will be expected to wear a surgical garment for several weeks. The purpose of this compression garment is to reduce swelling and protect your incisions. If you are not overweight and in good physical health before your Liposuction, you can expect to see greater benefits post-procedure. 

It is important that you follow all the aftercare instructions issued by your surgeon in order aid healing and prevent complications. If you adhere to these instructions, you should expect a full recovery from your Thigh Liposuction within six weeks. You will be asked to avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting for 6-8 weeks and will need to sleep in a position that doesn’t disturb the treated areas for 2-3 weeks following your surgery.  

You should start to notice the early results from around six weeks, and can expect the final result anywhere between six and 12 months, post-surgery.

Thigh Liposuction, just like any other Liposuction, should not be viewed as an alternative to weight loss or as a treatment for obesity. 

Who is Suitable?

Cadogan Clinic considers individuals fit for Thigh Liposuction if they meet the following criteria. 

• Are affected by symptoms associated with excess thigh fat
• Are physically and psychologically fit and healthy 
• Are a healthy weight and not obese
• Have realistic expectations of what can be achieved through Thigh Liposuction
• Are over 18 years of age 

Thigh Liposuction can be combined with other treatments, including Liposuction on other parts of the body, such as the stomach and buttocks. Knee Liposuction and Leg Liposuction are popular treatments to take place alongside Thigh Liposuction. 

Thigh Liposuction is very often combined with Thigh Lift surgery. Thigh Lipo removes unwanted fat from the area, while a Thigh Lift tightens uncomfortable loose and sagging skin often arising from ageing or weight loss. 

Once fat has been removed from the thighs via Liposuction, it can be used in Fat Transfer. This surgical treatment sees the fat removed from one area of the body and introduced to another part of the body via injection. Fat transfer is often used by surgeons to correct contour irregularities in various areas of the body.

To further enhance the shape at the rear of your body, you may wish to consider a Brazilian Butt Lift, a surgical procedure to lift the buttocks. This is another procedure which employs fat transfer techniques. 

Thigh Liposuction can also be incorporated into Mummy Makeover surgery. This is a combination of surgeries involving the breast, abdomen, waist, hips and thighs designed to address concerns arising from pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding.

Another treatment that you may wish to consider if you are planning to have thigh lipo is Cellulaze, a sophisticated laser treatment designed to treat cellulite.

Book an appointment with our consultant to discuss which treatment options are available to you.

Many of us struggle with how to get rid of thigh fat. The two biggest things you can do to lose fat from the thighs or any other area of the body are to maintain a healthy diet and exercise. 

A healthy diet consists of plenty of vegetables and fruit, foods that are high in fibre such as wholegrain and protein-packed lean meats and poultry. Foods and drinks which are packed with sugar, such as cakes, sweets and soda, should be avoided in order to bring fat levels down. If your alcohol intake is higher than the NHS-recommended 14 units a week then you should cut back to combat fat thighs.

For patients who have found weight loss purely through diet and exercise challenging, or who have struggled to maintain a healthy weight, Weight Loss Medication may be a suitable treatment.

Weight loss pills and supplements are available over-the-counter, at health food shops and on prescription, but these are not intended as a stand-alone answer to weight loss. 

However, as thigh fat is often down to genes, sometimes there is very little you can do to get rid of thigh fat. Despite our very best efforts, some fat cannot be lost through diet and exercise alone. This is where Thigh Liposuction can help. This treatment is the best way of getting rid of stubborn fatty deposits from the outer and inner thighs in one quick and easy treatment.