57, female, stable weight 9st 12lbs, 5'5 - thigh lift or other options? (Photo)

Question

I’m a 57 year old female, stable weight, 5ft 5, 9st 12lbs. I had liposuction nearly 20 years ago but have never been happy with the appearance of my thighs ever since. They have a bumpy appearance and some loose skin. I’m not sure if this is cellulite or just due to poor skin laxity. Are there any treatments or surgical procedures that could address this? I think the liposuction also caused some asymmetry. The backs of thighs don’t seem too bad, the fronts are very bad

John Michael Thomassen, MD · Answer

You appear to have skin laxity so an excision of skin in the medial thigh would be recommended to improve the appearance.  However, you have to be ok with a scar running down the inside of your thighs.  The scar will take many months to mature and remodel to the point it is not that visible.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

From your photos it appears the concerns you mentioned are primarily due to skin laxity.  This is from age, genetics, sun exposure, etc.  You can consider less invasive options such as BodyTite depending the severity of the laxity.  You may also consider a thigh lift.  You will have to determine if the scar that comes with the thigh lift would be worth it.  I encourage you to visit with a board certified plastic surgeon near you to learn more.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello Emerald Green. Thank you for your question regarding potential treatments for your thighs.

Thank you for your history and your pictures. In regards to your thighs, I don’t think a thigh lift is going to make a significant difference. Thigh lifts can be categorized as either a modified thigh lift or a full thigh lift.

Modified Thigh Lift: Involves an incision from the groin partially down the inner thigh. This option is less invasive but may not provide the extensive correction you might be seeking.
Full Thigh Lift: Involves an incision from the groin all the way to the knee. This option is more suitable for patients who have lost a significant amount of weight, like 100 pounds or more, or those with severe wrinkling due to aging or after extensive liposuction.
From your description and photos, it appears your thighs may have some bumpy appearance and loose skin, possibly due to the liposuction you had nearly 20 years ago. However, I do not think your thighs are in a condition that warrants a thigh lift.

Alternative Recommendations:
Liposuction: You may consider a little liposuction to address some of the fat deposits. However, be cautious with aggressive liposuction as it could leave your thighs with excessive loose skin.
Exercise: Focus on targeted exercises to tone the thighs, such as using the stairmaster, planks, and quadriceps exercises. This could improve the appearance of your thighs without the need for surgery.
Given the condition and history of your thighs, I recommend trying non-surgical approaches first. If you still feel dissatisfied, consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon to discuss potential options that might be more tailored to your specific needs.

Good luck. I hope I’ve answered your question regarding potential treatments for your thighs.

Sincerely,

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FASMBS, FICS

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

From your pictures, I would say your lower extremities look much better than the majority of 57-year-old women’s thighs. 
In reality, there are no good treatments for flabby on middle-aged women.
Liposuction is technically difficult and doesn’t address the skin laxity which is where the problem tends to be. 
If I lift may be appropriate, but overall, it’s kind of a crude procedure that leaves visible scars.
I think most patients who get high satisfaction thigh lift surgery typically have much more skin laxity.
It may be possible to even out the fat distribution with a touchup liposuction procedure, but that’s not going to do a whole lot for overall giving you a better looking thighs.
You can consult with plastic surgeons, but my best guess is you may not be thrilled with outcomes of what is currently available.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD

57, female, stable weight 9st 12lbs, 5'5 - thigh lift or other options? (Photo)

Answers (4)

Answer: Thigh treatment options

Answer: Thigh treatment options

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Thigh Lift

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

57, female, stable weight 9st 12lbs, 5'5 - thigh lift or other options? (Photo)

Answers (4)

Answer: Thigh treatment options

Answer: Thigh treatment options

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Thigh Lift

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.