Cellulite on my thighs. I have tried a thigh lift, and lipo but don't like my results - Any other options? (Photos)

Morpheus 8 is a non-invasive skin and soft tissue tightening treatment that is consistently amazing in our patients. We use the Morpheus to exact fractional induced RF into the skin or tissue in order to tighten collagen and stimulate contraction of the tissue. For acne scars, it is quite useful to build collagen in patients who have atrophic scars but is not very productive for ice-pick scars which require TCA Cross. For tissue tightening, Morpheus is ideal for the face and neck and we often combine it with CO2 laser or Ultherapy to further enhance results. Chemical peels and skin resurfacing should be done at least 5 to 7 days after, but can be performed earlier, depending on treatment severity. Avoid exfoliating skin treatments before Morpheus and expect a period of 2-4 weeks for skin contraction to set in.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Thank you for sharing your experience — cellulite can be one of the most stubborn concerns, and it’s completely understandable to feel frustrated after putting so much time, effort, and trust into treatments that didn’t give you the results you hoped for. Even with surgery, lipo, and a healthy lifestyle, cellulite often persists because it isn’t caused by fat alone — it’s more about the fibrous bands, skin quality, and underlying structure.

Here are options that may help address the dimpling and skin laxity, especially after previous surgery:

1. Treatments That Release Fibrous Bands (Targets the Root Cause)

Cellfina, Cellulaze, or Avéli
These treatments work by releasing the tight connective bands underneath the skin that create that “dimpled” appearance.
They often provide longer-lasting improvement than topical or surface-level treatments.

2. Skin-Tightening Technologies

These don't remove cellulite entirely but can smooth and firm the skin:

Radiofrequency (RF) tightening → Morpheus8, Thermage, Venus Legacy

Ultrasound tightening → Ultherapy

Laser tightening → devices like Fotona or non-ablative lasers

These can help if part of the issue is skin laxity after your thigh lift or liposuction.

3. Injectable Options

Sculptra® or hyperdilute Radiesse®
These stimulate collagen and can thicken and tighten the skin over time, making cellulite less visible.

4. Combination Approach

Cellulite often improves the most when two issues are treated together:

Releasing tight bands

Improving skin tone and elasticity

Given your history of procedures, a combination of band release + skin tightening is usually the most effective and safest direction moving forward.

5. Important Consideration

After lipo and a thigh lift, the tissue can be more delicate and have scar tissue underneath. It doesn’t mean you’re out of options — just that treatments need to be chosen carefully to avoid irregularities. Many people in your position still see visible improvement with the right approach.

You’ve clearly been very proactive in caring for your body, and it makes sense to want a smoother, more confident result. I hope this helps clarify what options are still available to you.

Hello! My name is Jessica, I am a physician assistant, and one of the providers at Aesthetic Skin in Winnetka and Chicago. This is a great question. If you’re still struggling with cellulite on your thighs even after a thigh lift and liposuction, another option worth considering is Morpheus8, which can address texture issues that surgery alone often can’t fix. Morpheus8 combines microneedling with radiofrequency energy to target the deeper layers of the skin, stimulating collagen and elastin production while tightening and smoothing the tissue. This can help improve the dimpling and uneven texture characteristic of cellulite. It’s minimally invasive, has relatively little downtime, and can be customized to the depth needed for thicker thigh skin. Many patients see gradual improvement over several sessions, making it a strong non-surgical option for refining results after previous procedures.

Cellulite can be challenging and it's understandable to want good results after you've tried various procedures already. You can look into Aveli which is a treatment for cellulite. It is a procedure performed in the office with virtually no down time. For loose skin you can consider BodyTite which uses RF technology to tighten skin. If there is uneven contours you may be a candidate for fat grafting. An exam is advised for the best recommendation.