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Liposuction or Thigh Lift After Weight Loss?

I have gone from 22 stones to 14 stones over a course of 6 years. The skin on my inner thighs droops down. I was considering a thigh lift but after going for a consultation, the surgeon recommended a liposuction and said that with compression garments and massage, the skin should go back into place. I do have some stretch marks on my inner thighs so I am wandering, will my thighs look worse after liposuction? I am worried about having liposuction and then only discovering afterwards that I will still need to remove excess skin. What would you recommend I should do?

Asked 29 months ago by libs in uk

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inner thighs stretch marks female sagging weight loss compression garment consultation plastic surgeon skin

Liposuction Medial Size after Weight Loss?

Thank you for the question and congratulations on your weight loss. Liposuction of the medial thighs is a procedure potentially fraught with complications. The skin in this area tends to be very thin and patients tend to be more prone to have skin contour irregularities and unsatisfactory cosmetic results after liposuction of the medial thighs. Based on your description of significant weight loss in the presence of stretch marks ( loss of elasticity) I would probably recommend that... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Sagging skin gets worse with liposuction

Sagging skin after weight loss only gets worse with liposuction. Compression garments and massage do not lift or tighten the skin. Only a thigh lift can get rid of the excess skin and tighten your thighs. It is likely that the physician who suggested liposuction is not really trained in plastic surgery and liposuction is the only option that they have to offer you. When the only tool you have is a hammer, the world begins to look like a nail. Stay away from that doctor! more

James McMahan, MD

Columbus Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

For the treatment of loose skin in the medial thighs following weight loss, skin

Excision in the form of a thigh lift is usually necessary to achieve the desired result. Typically, a good result from liposuction depends on the skin tightening up after the fat has been removed, much as the loose abdominal skin will tighten after pregnancy. In the case of excess skin after weight loss, this elastic quality of the skin has already been compromised, and it is unrealistic to expect that you will get the necessary skin tightening from liposuction alone. ... more

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Michael H. Rosenberg, MD

White Plains Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Proceed with the thigh lift, lipo can be done later if needed

If you are planning a thigh lift, you could always reserve that for after liposuction if your skin doesn’t retract enough after the procedure. The inner thigh is one area that is more prone to sagging than other areas. There certainly is a chance that you will have more irregularities or sagging then you want, after liposuction especially if you have a lot of stretch marks.

Ronald Shelton, MD

Manhattan Dermatologist

Just a stones throw

Libs, We are not familiar with stones. However, after massive weight loss part of the problem is usually loose skin. Liposuction, by whatever means usually does not address loose skin to any significant degree. It is an option to perform the liposuction and wait to see how much skin shrinkage you get, then come back at a second stage and remove the leftover skin. This staged approach may allow your surgeon to limit the scarring that you would get from a primary thigh lift. Good luck!... more

Kenneth R. Francis, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

After Weight Loss, Excess Skin (NOT fat) is the Issue

Unless you have excess fat, avoid liposuction. Excess folds of skin ESPECIALLY in the inner thigh area are notoriously prone to sagging even in individuals with good skin tone. A thigh lift of course involves more scars, but the results far surpass those of lipo.

John LoMonaco, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Loose skin needs excision, not liposuction

Plain and simple, loose skin needs to be excised as liposuction will not cause it to shrink well in my experience. Time to visit another surgeon and make sure they are a real plastic surgeon, not someone else who only does liposuctiuon and thus wants to do it on everyone because that's all they can offer.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Seek another opinion

From what you describe - loose skin following weight loss - more weight loss or liposuction in this area may create more loose skin in the long run. It is always hard to recommend a procedure without an examination and their may be reasons for your surgeon to recommend the liposuction over removal of skin. Perhaps that is something he does more often and feels more comfortable offering this. You can always seek another opinion if you are unsure about the plan. Best wishes.... more