Vertical Thigh Lift and Knee Area Liposuction - Unhappy with Results. What are my Best Options? (Photos)

Question

I had a vertical thigh lift October 2024 and additional liposuction around inner knees in February 2025. I still hate the way my legs look and especially my knee areas. I have this roll on the top of my knee and a fat pocket on the inside &lounging now I have a saggy skin pocket from where the additional lipo was down. My surgeon said he cannot cut below the knee. What are my options

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello INDtay23 in Terre Haute, IN. Thank you for your history and photos. Thank you for your interesting question regarding the fact that you underwent a vertical thigh lift and knee area liposuction and are unhappy with the results and what your best options are. Let's analyze your pictures. On your medial (inner) knee you have cutis pleonasmus (excess skin), dermatocholosis (loose skin), and lipodystrophy (excess fat). Since you have loose skin on the inner knee, further liposuction will worsen your inner knee condition. The best option would be to extend your inner knee incision below your knee. If the excess skin bothers you above the knee, a "horseshoe" incision is made above the knee, with the opening of the "horseshoe" toward the kneecap. The "horseshoe" removes a crescent area of skin and fat above the knee. The "horseshoe" and medial knee revision could be performed at the same time. I hope that I have answered your questions regarding the thigh reduction. If you have any more questions regarding the thigh lift, thigh reduction, vertical thigh lift, medial thigh lift, spiral thigh lift, crescent thigh lift, or thigh lipo, contact an experienced plastic surgeon. Please seek an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon with significant experience performing thigh lifts. Do your research. Make sure your chosen plastic surgeon has performed at least 100 thigh lifts.  Make sure they have the before-and-after  pictures to prove it.  Carefully examine their before-and-after  pictures and check their reviews on RealSelf.   Sincerely, Dr. Katzen, MD, MBA. (President of  the American Society of Bariatric Surgeons, Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, International College of Surgery, and American Board of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, RealSelf Hall of Fame, and RealSelf Doctor Advisory Board for Medical Review and Consumer Panel.)

Bryan C. McIntosh, MD · Answer

Additional liposuction of the medial knees would improve the contour there. The skin excess above your kneecaps is likely not something to try to treat surgically, as the scar would be unsightly and extremely visible. Maybe consider a semi-surgical skin tightening treatment like Renuvion to your anterior thighs and knees.

Vertical Thigh Lift and Knee Area Liposuction - Unhappy with Results. What are my Best Options? (Photos)

Answers (2)

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