Can I have a liposuction during a thigh lift? How long is the recovery?

you can expect many areas of liposuction to soften by six months to reveal the final result. In some cases, it takes closer to one year.

Thank you for your question, it’s very common to want to address multiple concerns in the thigh area at once, and it’s great that you’re asking about safety and planning ahead.
Yes, liposuction is often combined with a thigh lift. In fact, doing both together can improve contour and help achieve smoother, more natural results. The key is performing liposuction conservatively to protect blood flow to the skin before tightening it with the lift. An experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon will plan the sequence carefully to ensure safety and a balanced outcome.
Regarding your varicose veins, these are typically managed separately. Varicose veins are treated by a vascular specialist using techniques like laser ablation or sclerotherapy. While your plastic surgeon can work around them, it’s important to address significant vein issues either before or after your thigh lift to avoid bleeding or healing complications. They generally aren’t removed as part of the cosmetic procedure itself.
Cellulite is a different issue, it’s caused by fibrous bands under the skin, and while a thigh lift can sometimes improve its appearance by tightening the skin, it doesn’t completely eliminate it. Some patients benefit from additional treatments such as Cellfina, laser, or radiofrequency-based therapies if cellulite reduction is a major goal.
Recovery varies depending on how extensive the procedure is, but generally you can expect 2–3 weeks before resuming light activities, with most swelling and bruising improving over the first month. Full healing and final results typically take about 3–6 months, depending on your body’s response.
You sound like a good candidate, but your surgeon may recommend consulting a vascular specialist first to ensure your varicose veins are stable and that it’s safe to combine procedures. With the right planning, both safety and aesthetic results can be achieved beautifully.
Warm regards,Dr. Sibel Atalay, MDBoard-Certified Plastic Surgeon

Yes, liposuction can often be performed during a thigh lift procedure to enhance contouring by removing excess fat along with tightening the skin. Combining both procedures is common and can lead to more refined and balanced results, especially for patients looking to address both skin laxity and localized fat deposits.

If your thighs are fatty and have visible varicose veins, this may not necessarily be a problem, but it’s important to discuss these concern during an in-person consultation with a physical examination. Varicose veins unfortunately are not removed during a typical thigh lift.

Recovery typically takes about 2 to 4 weeks for most daily activities, but final results may take several months. Swelling, bruising, and discomfort are normal in the early stages, and wearing compression garments and following the aftercare instructions are important for optimal recovery and results.

Check out our website for more details on thighlifts, and book a consult for a personalized discussion on how it could help you!

Hello, thank you for your question. Yes, liposuction can often be performed at the same time as a thigh lift, but there are some important factors to consider, especially given your concerns about varicose veins and cellulitis. It’s actually quite common to combine liposuction with a thigh lift to remove excess fat before tightening the skin. This can result in a smoother contour and better results overall. If your skin is already loose or damaged (as with cellulite or past infections), your surgeon may need to adjust how aggressively they perform liposuction to preserve circulation and healing. Varicose veins indicate venous insufficiency (poor circulation), which may increase the risk of bleeding, bruising, or blood clots during or after surgery and complicate wound healing.
As for recovery I have my patient's limit their lifting and working out routines for 3-4 weeks and full recovery is 6-8 weeks. Best of luck!

Thanks so much for your question,
liposuction can absolutely be combined with a thigh lift, and in many cases, it’s recommended to enhance the results. Liposuction can help to remove excess fat from the inner or outer thighs, improve contour and smoothness and assist with skin re-draping during the lift.

Combining liposuction with a thigh lift may increase swelling and bruising, but overall recovery doesn’t drastically lengthen if you’re healthy.

Sincerely,
Dr. Emmanuel Mallol

Hello, you would need an in-person assessment to determine if liposuction combined with thigh lift is appropriate in your case. However, these two operations are commonly done together for patients who would likely benefit from the additional contouring that can be achieved by adding liposuction. The recovery from thigh lift surgery is typically about 6 weeks, but varies between patients. Thank you for your inquiry!

It is standard practice to perform liposuction during a thigh lift. However, varicose veins can predispose you to deep vein thrombosis, one of the most feared complications of any surgical procedure. I would see a vascular surgeon about treatment of your varicose veins prior to performing the thigh lift to ensure that this has received all possible interventions before moving forward with your thigh lift procedure. Although varicose veins are notoriously hard to treat, it would be best to know that everything possible has been done before moving forward.

Combining liposuction with a thigh lift is a common practice in cosmetic surgery to achieve a more comprehensive improvement in the appearance of the thighs. Liposuction can help remove excess fat from areas not addressed by a thigh lift, providing enhanced contouring. However, the feasibility of combining these procedures and the specific details of your case would be best discussed with a qualified plastic surgeon during a consultation.

Recovery times can vary depending on the extent of the procedures, individual healing factors, and the specific techniques used. Generally, here is an overview:

Thigh Lift Recovery:

Immediate Postoperative Period: There will be some initial swelling, bruising, and discomfort. You'll likely need to wear compression garments to support the healing process.
First Week: You may need to limit physical activity during the initial week, avoiding strenuous movements.
2-4 Weeks: While you may be able to return to work within a week or two, more strenuous activities and exercise might need to be postponed for a few weeks.
Liposuction Recovery:

Immediate Postoperative Period: Similar to a thigh lift, there will be swelling and bruising. Compression garments may be required.
First Week: Rest and limited physical activity are typically recommended.
2-4 Weeks: You may gradually resume normal activities, but more intense exercise and activities should be postponed.
Combined Thigh Lift and Liposuction:

Combining both procedures may extend the overall recovery period.
Your surgeon will provide specific postoperative care instructions and guidelines for resuming normal activities.
It's crucial to follow your surgeon's postoperative instructions diligently, attend follow-up appointments, and communicate any concerns during the recovery process. Keep in mind that individual recovery experiences can vary.

To get accurate and personalized information about the feasibility of combining liposuction with a thigh lift and the expected recovery time in your specific case, it's recommended to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon. They can assess your unique anatomy, discuss your goals, and provide tailored advice based on your individual circumstances.

Liposuction is routinely done underneath the skin which is removed during a thigh lift. This removes the volume in that area so that the skin edges can be brought together without anything interfering. Liposuction can also be done on other areas of the thigh at the same time, in order to maximize the contour. The varicose veins may see some improvement, but you may also need to have those treated separately at some point in the future for best results. Cellulite is not made better with liposuction. Best wishes.

Thank you for submitting your questions! Most thigh lift procedures do involve some component of liposuction. Your plastic surgeon will be able to evaluate the areas and show you where liposuction can be safely performed. Small, prominent veins are usually not of concern. However, very large varicose veins can increase your risk of bleeding/bruising with surgery. Your surgeon can evaluate the veins and recommend whether they should be treated before surgery. There are practices that specialize in treating varicosities. Regarding cellulitis, this can absolutely be treated at the same time. Your surgeon can evaluate these areas and determine the best treatment and timing of treatment. Thanks for reaching out and good luck!