eMedicine Specialties > Plastic Surgery > Body Contouring

Liposuction, Thigh and Knee: Follow-up

Author: John A Grossman, MD, Emeritus Chairman, Instructor, Departments of Otolaryngology and Plastic Surgery, University of Colorado Rose Medical Center
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Sep 10, 2008

Outcome and Prognosis

Results of liposuction of the thighs and knees, particularly the outer thigh and knee, usually are very favorable. With reasonable patient selection and conservative treatment, even inexperienced liposurgeons can expect a good result. The desired result in the outer thigh is a smooth contour less the "saddlebag" bulge, without divots, indentations, or skin laxity. Posteriorly, at the thigh-buttock junction, ideally a defined break should be apparent between upper thigh and buttock, without a roll (banana roll) at that junction.

Less forgiving are the medial and anterior thigh. In the medial thigh, where skin is quite thin and the subcutaneous fatty layer frequently not large, conservatism is key. More aggressive liposuctioning can easily result in excessive skin laxity, an appearance of skeletonization and concavity, and skin discoloration. The desired result is a smooth line from the upper border of the inner knee to the groin, with slight concavity above the knee transitioning to slightly greater fullness of the upper inner thigh, but without a bulging roll in the final 6-8 cm before the groin crease. With the heels together, the upper inner thighs should either barely graze each other or have a slight separation.

Especially for the inexperienced surgeon, it is best to avoid the anterior thigh. When it is necessary to liposuction the anterior thigh, perform this as part of a circumferential thigh liposuction. Be conservative; undercorrection and leaving fat behind is better than having even the slightest concavity along the thigh's anterior curvature.

Long-term results are mixed. While the fat removed from individual locations does not return, patients do have a tendency to gain weight following liposuction in greater than ideal percentages. Where large-volume liposuction has been part of total body recontouring, weight gain is common. However, where liposuction has been used for its intended purpose of shaping isolated fat collections, results and long-term prognosis are excellent.

Future and Controversies

As surgeons gain greater understanding of fat metabolism and means of controlling weight gain, liposuction to contour the results of heredity, with chemical management of weight fluctuations, may become a routine task for the cosmetic physician.

Lifestyle cosmetic procedures such as liposuction may become part of the comprehensive area of medicine termed "cosmetic medicine and age management." Looking good, feeling good, and living longer and more productively may become a reality.

For excellent patient education resources, visit eMedicine's Procedures Center. Also, see eMedicine's patient education article Liposuction.

 


More on Liposuction, Thigh and Knee

Overview: Liposuction, Thigh and Knee
Workup: Liposuction, Thigh and Knee
Treatment: Liposuction, Thigh and Knee
Follow-up: Liposuction, Thigh and Knee
Multimedia: Liposuction, Thigh and Knee
References
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References

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Further Reading

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Keywords

liposuction, lipo, thigh liposuction, knee liposuction, liposuction knee, liposuction thigh, liposuction thighs, tumescent liposuction, superwet liposuction, suction-assisted lipolysis, suction-assisted lipectomy, lipolysis, lipexeresis, fat suctioning, fat sucking, SAL, suction-assisted lipoplasty, lipoplasty, after liposuction, before liposuction

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

John A Grossman, MD, Emeritus Chairman, Instructor, Departments of Otolaryngology and Plastic Surgery, University of Colorado Rose Medical Center
John A Grossman, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Burn Association, American Medical Association, American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Colorado Medical Society, Lipoplasty Society of North America, and Pan-Pacific Surgical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Gregory Caputy, MD, PhD, Chief, Department of Plastic Surgery, Aesthetica Plastic and Laser Surgery Center of Honolulu
Gregory Caputy, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Medical Association, American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, Canadian Medical Association, Hawaii Medical Association, International College of Surgeons, International College of Surgeons US Section, Pan-Pacific Surgical Association, and Wound Healing Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Alan Matarasso, MD, FACS, PC, Clinical Professor of Plastic Surgery, Albert Einstein College of Medicine; Immed Past President of New York Regional Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Alan Matarasso, MD, FACS, PC is a member of the following medical societies: American Association of Plastic Surgeons, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, International College of Surgeons US Section, New York Academy of Medicine, New York County Medical Society, Pan American Medical Association, and Pan-Pacific Surgical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Nicolas (Nick) G Slenkovich, MD, Practice Director, Colorado Plastic Surgery Center at Swedish Medical Center
Nicolas (Nick) G Slenkovich, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American Medical Association, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, and Colorado Medical Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Al Aly, MD, FACS, Consulting Surgeon, Iowa City Plastic Surgery
Disclosure: Ethicon  Consulting fee Consulting; QMP Royalty Book royalty; Insorb Stapler Consulting fee Consulting; Insorb Stapler Ownership interest None; Medicis Intellectual property rights None

 
 
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