What non surgical procedures can I do for fat above the knee? Or would lipo be my only option? (photos)

Question

I’m 27. 5’8 and I workout 4/5 days a week, I do heavy weightlifting and some cardio. My diet is very good. I think that I have fat above my knee, unfortunately I can not tone that area no matter what I do at the gym and I have always been so self conscious to the point that I will not show my legs. What are the options that I have for dealing with this so that I can show my legs? Thank you!

Finny George, MD · Answer

Hi, thank you for your question. 
Non-surgical treatment of fat will always fall short of the results you can get with surgical options. Liposuction would be the best option for removal of the fat above your knee, based on your photos. 
Your board certified plastic surgeon will be able to evaluate you in person and explain the safest, most effective treatment options. 
I hope this helps. Good luck!

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

If you have small problem areas you can use non invasive methods like coolsculpting with vanquish to get small areas of fat reduced. Skin also tightens if you combine this with exilis ultra or venus legacy radiofrequency treatments. You boost the results from coolsculpting if you add in radiofrequency. We also combine coolsculpting with radiofrequency and shock therapy like Z wave and cellutone to get even faster results, more improvement, and less risk of combinations like nodules, swelling, neuropathy or paradoxical hyperplasia. Coolsculpting often takes a few treatments separated 8-12 weeks apart to get significant improvement. Best, Dr. Emer.

Robert M. Tornambe, MD · Answer

Valerie.   Your best option by far is traditional liposuction utilizing smaller cannulas, also known as micro liposuction. This technique allows your surgeon to remove the unwanted fat and contour the region artfully. Noninvasive procedures for fat reduction carries a very low level of satisfaction. Consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon in your area for a full evaluation. Good luck.

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. Based on your photographs, selective targeted liposuction of your inner and upper knee may be beneficial.  Make sure you specifically look at before and after pictures of real patients who have had this surgery performed by your surgeon and evaluate their results.  
 
 Best wishes and good luck.

Richard G. Reish, M.D. FACS

Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Anna I. Wooten, MD, FACS · Answer

If you are wary of surgery, there are still lots of great options out there. One of these would be CoolSculpting. We have applicator sizes appropriate for that area, and "if you can squeeze it, we can freeze it." Another non-invasive option would be Kybella, this injectable enzyme dissolves fat - with little to no downtime. Both of these procedures have very low risk, especially when performed in the office of a board-certified plastic surgeon.

Deborah Ekstrom, MD · Answer

You have a joint and skeleton issue where your lower legs go outward below the knee and the knee joint itself goes backwards when you stand stiff called "hyperextension".  This creates a look as if your soft tissues are excessive above your knee. The skeleton cannot be changed (until and if you need a knee replacement if the knee joint wears out), so some lipo and skin tightening may help a bit but you need to keep your expectations at a reasonable level for your results since too much skin and fat is not the real problem.

Arch Miller, MD · Answer

some might say that you could use a  cryotherapy method[cool sculpt]. i am not a big supporter, but this small area might respond. liposuction would likely give the least expensive, quickest result.

Karol A. Gutowski, MD, FACS · Answer

Kybella and CoolSculpting are options but an in person assessment is needed. Lipo would be easy to do awake with a local anesthetic.

Matt Erdmann, MBChB, FRCS(Eng), FRCS (Plast) · Answer

In my opinion the only method to reduce the fat in the midline above the knee is by liposuction. It is a common area of complaint but rember that excess 'fat' especially on the inner side above the knee can simply be down to  muscle bulk which of course cannot be removed by liposuction. You may simply be too toned!

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

nonsurgical approaches to fat removal are universally week in comparison to liposuction  The internee responds well to liposuction but the area above your knee it's mostly skin laxity when your leg is in a straight position  If you bend your leg and pinched area you will notice the layer of fat is thin. From the pictures you've posted your knees look normal without a strong indication for intervention. I think you will find non-surgical approaches to be ineffective and a waste of money. Best, Mats Hagstrom M.D.

What non surgical procedures can I do for fat above the knee? Or would lipo be my only option? (photos)

Answers (10)

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