How successful is Lipo of the inner knees? (photos)

Question

I'm pretty close to my ideal weight but regardless of how thin I am, and my two sisters, we all have large fat bulges at our inner knees. I'm 63 and still hate that it interferes with the fit of slacks and makes we avoid shorts and skirts. I'm a size 8-10. Can this be corrected with lipo or should I opt for surgical removal? Thanks.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

You have lipedema legs from your thighs down to your calves.  Liposuction can help contour and shape/reduce volume, but you may also need skin removal/lifting. I suggest a formal consultation with an expert in lower leg liposuction and skin tightening.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

I frankly don't think you are a good candidate for liposuction around the knees. The skin is in excess and it is loose. This will be aggravated by the procedure.

Jeff Angobaldo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Liposuction of the medial knee would help improve the contour of the area. The upper inner thigh region would benefit from liposuction and a skin excision. Consult with a board certified Plastic Surgeon. Best Wishes!

Kirk Moore, MD · Answer

Stay away from liposuction alone! You are not a candidate for just lipo. Your skin is too loose and saggy, and lipo will only make that worse. Your fat is also not just limited to the inner thigh, it is on the anterior (front) of the thigh, around the knees and, presumably, on the posterior aspect as well.The only real option would be to debulk with liposuction AND perform a thigh lift, but with the circumferential fat on your thighs, it is a very difficult operation.Best.

Hampton A. Howell, MD · Answer

Hi. I think that you could benefit from some liposuction of the knees.  I think that it really comes down to the how much of a correction you want, and in what areas.  The other thing may consider is a medial thigh lift.  This would obviously have a long scar as it looks like you would need  a groin incision that extends down to the knee itself.  If you are looking for a more minimally invasive option, and are okay with still having some looseness of the skin, you could likely see some benefit from liposuction in terms of reducing the fatty bulging of the knee.  I would recommend consulting with a board certified plastic surgeon who, after evaluating you in person, could give you more specific recommendations pertinent for you.Hope this helps.  Good luck and take care, Dr. Howell

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD · Answer

Liposuction of the inner knees is a vey successful procedure that can make a big difference. The inner knees can be aggressively treated without a fear of loose hanging skin afterwards.

Jeffrey Ditesheim, MD, FACS · Answer

The fat pad on the inner side of the knee can be treated to keep the legs from rubbing together at the knees.  This does work very well.  The lower thighs above the knees is a tough area to "reduce" because of the anatomy and skin laxity.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Liposuction can be performed on your knees to decrease the overall volume. It will not lift or tighten the skin.

Robert Savage, MD (retired) · Answer

In young patients with good skin tone and elasticity it can be a very good procedure.At your age and from the photos it appears the skin is already loose and irregular so the outlook for a good result would have to be guarded.It depends on your goals and the result you are comfortable accepting

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How successful is Lipo of the inner knees? (photos)

Answers (9)

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