Thigh lipo - how much fat could be harvested? (Photos)

Thighs are one of the most difficult areas to liposuction well. You want to take just enough fat so that you do not create loose skin. For most patients, especially those that are thinner, the best area to harvest fat from on the thighs is the inner thigh. You run a higher chance of contour deformities and producing cellulite divots when you liposuction the front, outer, or back of the thigh, and you want to make sure that your surgeon always uses a skin tightening device (Renuvion or BodyTite) after thigh liposuction to decrease the amount of skin laxity you will develop.

Dear Energetic269672,

it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination, you will get more information and recommendations.

Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Contour irregularities are one of the risks of liposuction. The hips and outer thighs generally do very well and carry a lower risk of contour irregularities. The inner thighs are more prone to issues as the tissue is thinner here. If too much fat is removed skin laxity and contour irregularities can occur.

One side has more fat than the other, but you still will not be able to donate a large volume. You want to avoid overly aggressive liposuction, especially in the inner things and banana roll areas.

Thank you for your question and photos. The thighs can be a good source for fat harvesting, especially when targeting areas like the inner and outer thighs. On average, 500–1000cc of fat (before purification) may be harvested from each thigh, depending on your individual anatomy and goals.
While the thighs can be more prone to contour irregularities than some areas (due to skin elasticity and movement), careful technique by an experienced surgeon can help minimize these risks. Inner thighs tend to require more finesse, while outer thighs and banana roll areas may allow for slightly more aggressive fat removal.
A consultation with a board-certified surgeon will give you a more accurate estimate of how much fat can be safely harvested and transferred.