Are the dimples in my thighs correctable?

Question

When I was a baby I had pneumonia and was in the hospital for quite a while. My arms were to small to give injections I guess so the doctors had to give me injections in my thighs. I don't know how many times it happened but it caused me to have dimples in different areas of my thighs (I don't know a better way to describe what I'm talking about other than dimples) I have been very self conscious of my legs for as long as I can remember & I want to find out if there is any way to make it less noticeable.

Allen Gabriel, MD, FACS · Answer

Soft tissue deformities can be improved with fat grafting.  Some of the deformities can not be eliminated.   Please seek out a board certified plastic surgeon in your area for evaluation.  Best of Luck.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

I suggest posting photos for us to give an opinion.  I had a very similar patient who fat injections and voluma has given an almost permanent result without complications.  For cellulitic dimples, subcision and fat transfer can be very useful.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Austin Hayes, MD · Answer

It's difficult to say without a photograph, but I agree with Dr. Hughes that improvements can often be made with fat grafting. Fat is typically harvested from the hip. It is processed and injected into the region of the dimples. The added volume would hopefully make them less noticeable.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Traumatic deformities and congenital deformities can be improved tremendously with fat grafting and other techniques.Kenneth Hughes, MDLos Angeles, CA

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

When the primary problem is a lack of volume, then fat transfer works well.From what you describe, your dimples are most likely caused by bands of scar tissue. The scar tissue did not expand or grow in relation to your legs as you developed. Another way of describing this is scar tissue contracture.A similar situation happens in patient with deep acne scars.The problem is not that the acne made fat go away, but it created scar tissue to form and then later contracted.Best of luck,Mats Hagstrom, M.D.

Are the dimples in my thighs correctable?

Answers (5)