Lipoplasty (liposuction) and liposculpture are excellent techniques for removing excess fat from specific areas of the body. However, it is important that the patient has embarked on a realistic diet and exercise plan, and reaches a stable weight plateau, before undergoing fat removal. Patients who "yo-yo" with their weight are sometimes not good candidates. Lumpiness of fat in the middle thighs is a difficult problem, especially if the patient has had previous lipoplasty or has loose skin. If the lumpiness is due to cellulite, lipoplasty will not improve the condition. It is best to have a consultation with an ASAPS-member plastic surgeon that is very experienced with these issues.

There are many factors that influence safety. In general, depending on your specific requirements, these two operations can be performed together. There are risks related to each procedure alone, the combined surgery and the anesthesia that should be discussed in detail with you at the time of your consultation.

It is sometimes difficult to correct this situation.  Improvement would depend on the size and depth of the depressions as well as the current quality of the skin and the possible presence of preexisting cellulite.  Fat injections are frequently helpful.  While it is an "off label" use, certain fillers can be used with some success.  Treatment would need to be redone on a periodic basis.  Even so, trying a filler on just a few of these areas can give you and the plastic surgeon an idea as to how the indentation will respond.  In my opinion, you should seek a consultation with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon to obtain an authoritative opinion as to the best way to proceed in your particular case.

I know your problem. A frequent new patient complaint is similar to yours. Unfortunately, many girls your age who have the shape that you aspire to, don't exercise or limit their diet. Their genetics are different. We inherit a tendency to accumulate fat cells in the wrong areas. You acquire most of your fat cells by the age of fifteen. There are two basic types of fat cells. One you control the size with diet and exercise: the other is controlled by an inherited mechanism so that you can store fat for a famine or drought. You can starve yourself to shrink these cells. The minute you start eating normally, these cells fill up quickly. Suction lipectomy works because it removes fat cells. I am sure you could find a board certified plastic surgeon that could examine you and determine if you are a candidate for liposuction.

"Lipo-dissolve" is an unproven technique. To thin the fat between the skin and muscle liposuction will permanently remove some of the excess fat and can sculpt your shape. A full evaluation by a board certified plastic surgeon can give you all the choices and inform you of the risks.

If you have a history of a chronic disease, such as hypertension or diabetes, you may still be able to undergo elective surgery. While surgery can be stressful, and any kind of stress can have a negative effect on your health, most contemporary plastic surgery ( particular lip augmentation and liposuction) doesn't require the use of general anesthesia, and is followed by a quick recovery so it is not likely to put you at any increased medical risk. It's best to speak to your primary care doctor about these issues beforehand. Of course, be forthright with your

If your problem is localized to your thighs you could be a candidate for liposuction. This procedure can be done under sedation and local infiltration or under spinal anesthesia. The results are generally very good. There will be however, some restrictions in your activities after your surgery and you will have to wear a special garment for several weeks. Your plastic surgeon will be able to provide you with detailed information based on your body build and personal requirements.

Please accept my admiration for your survivor history. You covered a lot of territory in your summary, and I can appreciate what it took out of you. Plastic surgery can certainly help in your getting back to normal. The usual considerations regarding your present medical condition and appropriateness of elective surgery apply, of course.

Liposuction is a wonderful procedure in body reshaping, and in some situations can be used instead of a tummy tuck. It depends on the amount of skin looseness and stretch marks. It is difficult to comment further without an examination. One of the factors is how much weight gain you have experienced, and what might or might not be needed in the way of dietary management before surgery.



A breast lift can also give an excellent improvement in breast shape, and it can often be combined with other procedures. There are some trade offs in regards to the placement of incisions and the resultant scars. A good coverage of this is present in the ASAPS web site at www.surgery.org.

You are correct and well informed. Body contouring procedures performed below the knee can be challenging and are associated with greater risk than many other areas. Bulges, asymmetry, nerve injury, vascular compromise, and contour irregularities are some of the reported complications. It is important to seek a board certified plastic surgeon in your area with experience and expertise with this procedure. A consultation with the plastic surgeon will allow you to fully address the potential risk and benefits of such an elective procedure based on your medical history and clinical presentation. Well informed patients who choose to have contouring procedures in this area often are very satisfied with their results.

Depending on skin elasticity and redundancy, you will benefit from a range of procedures starting with a thigh lift with liposuction to a lower body lift.


You appear to be healthy and lean; therefore you should have a very low complication rate, especially if you are a non-smoker. A visit with a board certified plastic surgeon will determine your best course for therapy. The results are usually well maintained.

Unfortunately, I can not determine from your question the exact problem you have. If you had liposuction of the anterior chin area because it was too protruberant (which is an uncommon procedure) then the sagging skin to which you refer is hanging downward. This is commonly known as a witch’s chin. The correction of that problem depends on how much the skin hangs inferiorly and the amount of bony chin projection which you have. There is a procedure in which the hanging skin can be excised and rolled beneath the chin while pulling the neck skin in a forward direction. Generally speaking, putting the fat “back in” will not fill out the chin area enough to correct the sag and the excess skin needs to be excised.

Sometimes, when patients say they had liposuction of the chin, they are referring to what is commonly called a “double chin.” This area is actually the upper neck and liposuction of this area is quite common. I always tell my patients that liposuction of that area as a lone procedure may leave excess skin which will require skin excision or possibly skin re-draping at a later date. The appropriate procedure to correct the hanging skin depends on your age, height, weight and skin elasticity – again unknown facts from your email question and only known with a direct examination. If this is the case, the treatment for excessive skin is to cut it out and tighten the remaining skin. This may be done locally under the chin or it may requite a neck lift. I do not feel that injecting the fat back into that area is the answer to your problem, both because it may have an irregular take and be “lumpy” and because it may recreate the problem with which you were originally unhappy.



I write all of the above merely to say that I cannot determine the true problem from you email question and that there are many factors to be considered in arriving at a solution to your particular dissatisfaction. If you are unhappy with your original surgeon or he hasn’t explained the problem adequately, I suggest you consult, in person, with a board certified plastic surgeon who would examine you and assess your individual problem and circumstances in a short period of time. He could also suggest remedies to give you the best long term result.

The procedure to minimize the fat on the areas of the upper back, neck and armpits would be the use of liposuction. Liposuction may be performed on any part of the body including the upper back, under the armpits and the area so called the “buffalo hump,” providing that there is not a lot of laxity of skin present. On liposuction of the underarms, one also has to consider the possibility of swollen sweat glands in which case it has to be corrected properly by surgery. Liposuction of the upper back including the area of the shoulder blades and the buffalo hump may necessitate the use of the ultrasound system.

Your end result will be much more predictable if you wait to have your surgery until you have completed your family size. Your best success will be achieved by taking a year after your childbirth to get on a good diet and exercise program, lose as much weight as you desire or are able, and then proceed with liposuction if you are still not happy with the appearance of your thighs. You may also want to consider some of the new treatments for cellulite after your liposuction....Cellulite is difficult to treat, but the combination of liposuction and laser assisted cellulite treatments can create a much smoother appearance.

There are three procedures that will get rid of a double chin – Liposculpture; Lower Facelift; Chin enhancement if there is a skeletal deficiency. Ideally, the patient needs to be evaluated by the surgeon to see which procedure would be best in their case.

You have experienced several events that have stretched your skin: 1) a massive weight loss of 120 pounds, almost 50% of your current body weight of 140 pounds; and 2) five pregnancies, including one with triplets. Subject to these stresses, without good elasticity, the skin stretches and may not return to its former shape.
In addition to the stresses you have described, there are indications that your skin may not have good elasticity: 1) your history of surgery to remove excess skin from your abdomen and breasts (abdominoplasty and breastlift); and 2) the presence of pouches of skin on your inner thighs.

Given this history, if liposuction is performed on your inner thighs, the laxity of thigh skin you already describe may increase. In evaluating your inner and outer thighs for aesthetic surgery, the possibility of thigh lift should be considered. Inner thigh lift is a surgical procedure to tighten loose, flabby skin of the inner thighs. The surgery removes excess skin and some underlying fat from the upper inner thighs. Thigh lift may be combined with liposuction if needed.

To find out what procedure is appropriate for you, you should consult with a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

The idea of injecting your own fat, taken from the abdomen, into your breasts to make them larger sure sounds good but is actually something that should be absolutely avoided. The reason is that injected fat can necrose, i.e. the fat cells can die, and when they do, small amounts of calcium are deposited in the area of the necrosed fat. The problem with these deposits, called microcalcifications, is that on mammography, an x-ray of the breasts used to screen for breast cancer, these microcalcifications look very much like the ones often associated with cancer. Therefore, a woman with these lesions, as well as her doctor, will forever be unsure if these microcalcifications on her mammogram are benign or a sign of breast cancer. Needless to say, no one wants to live with that uncertainty and risk.


As for combining all of the surgeries you mention, this is theoretically possible but the advisability of doing so will vary from patient to patient. Longer, more complex surgeries carry more risk of complications and so this has to be weighed against the advantages of a combined surgery. Other factors to consider are a patient's age, state of health, occupation, available help during the recovery period, etc. The pros and cons and related risks of a combined surgery vs. surgeries done separately should be discussed at length during your consultation with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. You can then make an informed decision based on all of the facts that pertain to you.

You should ask the surgeon if her surgical suite is an AAAA or JCAHO approved surgical facility. If so, it would be safe to assume that it meets the high standards of medical care in this country. In terms of recovery, it depends on how large a thigh lift is being performed. If it is minor, seven days should be enough. If it is major, recovery would be closer to ten days or more. Your surgeon will help you determine an approximate recovery time.

The legs are a common area to be considered in post bariatric surgery weight loss. Assuming you are at your stable weight, there are several options regarding lower extremity contouring. Lateral and medial thigh lifts will improve the laxity of skin from the mid thigh upwards. If you do a complete lower body lift, this will also improve the buttocks. These procedures have little effect on the legs below the knees. Procedures that improve contouring of the legs below the knees include calf implants and liposuction. These procedures must be staged in order to be done safely.

It would depend on the looseness of the thighs’ skin. If the skin is tight, liposuction is recommended. However if the skin is loose, a thigh lift would be the way to go.

Many patients look at liposuction as a means of weight reduction, but in fact the amount of total body weight that is removed with liposuction is relatively small. The limits recommended for safe liposuction are 5000 cc of total fluid removal for each surgery, which means that only 5 or 6 pounds of fat are removed with liposuction. That amount of liposuction can produce a dramatic improvement in body contour, but a minimal reduction in weight. Before considering liposuction, it is wise to optimize body weight with diet, exercise, and other weight reduction programs, and then have liposuction to remove the fatty tissue that is resistant to diet and exercise programs. The best candidates for liposuction are those people whose weight is within the normal or mildly overweight limits based on their height.

There are many methods that can be used to make liposuction safer and easier. "Tumescent" liposuction uses fluid containing local anesthetics and epinephrine (adrenalin) to reduce blood loss with liposuction, and in some cases allows the procedure to be done with minimal sedation instead of general anesthesia. The amount of fluid injected prior to performing liposuction determines whether the procedure is done with general anesthesia or not. Fluid injection is certainly safe and effective, and is used in some form in almost all liposuction procedures done today.

Ultrasound waves may be used to "lyse" or break up the fat before liposuction is done, thus facilitating the removal of the fat. The technique is especially valuable in areas where the fatty tissue is more fibrous and tough, such as the male breast, the back, and in cases where liposuction is repeated and scar tissue is present. Ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty (UAL) is safe if performed by a surgeon who is properly trained to perform liposuction -- such as a surgeon who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery -- and who is trained and experienced in the use of ultrasound technology. Recently, newer methods of UAL, using the "Vaser" technology, have made the process even safer and more effective. There are risks with UAL, including skin burns and nerve injuries, but these are rare in the hands of an experienced, properly trained surgeon. You should always discuss possible risks and complications with your surgeon before having any procedure. Making certain that your surgeon is properly trained and board-certified, and that the surgery will be done in an accredited surgical facility, are the most important steps you can take to help ensure a safe and successful surgery.

Certain fat distribution is genetic in origin and very difficult to lose by dieting and exercising alone. Some believe that the origins of this type of excess fat go back to the Stone Ages, when it served an important survival function. Today, liposuction can remove these fat cells, which will never return. It is certainly possible to gain weight after liposuction, but the old proportions will not return.

Liposuction of the face has limited benefit, especially in thin individuals with loose and sagging skin. A facelift would be more appropriate for eliminating drooping skin and reestablishing youthful contours, providing safe and predictable improvement.

Whether liposuction, the removal of excess fat using high vacuum pressure, is advisable for your grandmother depends upon many factors including her general health and the elasticity of her skin. If the skin is inelastic, she may find that liposuction leaves her with loose, baggy skin. (This would have to be corrected by additional surgery that would leave a scar.) Age in itself, however, is not a limiting factor in liposuction surgery. Many suction lipectomies have been performed, with good results, on people in their sixties, seventies, and even eighties.

Lipoplasty (liposuction) of the calf areas of the leg is performed under certain circumstances, but it is not a very common procedure. Generally, the calf areas do not produce the excellent results that one can obtain in other areas such as the abdomen, thighs, and buttocks. Lipoplasty of the calves can result in edema (swelling) of this area for long periods of time. Patients must be prepared to accept the possibility of prolonged swelling with, ultimately, minimal improvement.

It is unlikely that the fat removed by lipoplasty (liposuction) in a specific area will come back again. The only exception is if there is a very significant weight gain.

Traditionally, lipoplasty (liposuction) of the buttocks was "off limits" because of the rounded contour of the buttocks and the danger that removing fat from this area might produce contour irregularities. However, some surgeons who perform a great deal of lipoplasty have found that “liposculpture” of the buttocks can be effective, and the contour of the buttocks can remain smooth, if fat is removed at a deeper level. To achieve a better contour of the sometimes drooping lower buttock, the surgeon may perform more aggressive fat removal at the lower gluteal fold (the fold beneath the buttocks). If there is both fat and a significant amount of loose skin in the buttock area, lipoplasty may be combined with a buttock lift. However, a buttock lift will require more extensive incisions than lipoplasty alone, and the resulting scars may be visible when wearing some types of swimwear.

Generally speaking, lipoplasty (liposuction) does not tighten loose skin. It is difficult to design skin-tightening procedures around the knees because the necessary scars are difficult to hide - however, there are procedures that can achieve improvement in this area. A combination of lipoplasty with some type of skin tightening procedure could be the answer, but this would have to be evaluated in a personal consultation with a qualified plastic surgeon.

Lipoplasty (liposuction) of calves and ankles can be performed to alter both size and shape of these areas. However lipoplasty in these delicate areas is more difficult than in many other parts of the body. There is little room for error. Contour irregularities can be easily seen and are difficult to correct. Specially designed cannulas (the metal tube inserted under the skin to suction the fat) can be helpful. The bottom line is to be sure to consult with a plastic surgeon who has wide experience in lipoplasty and in treating these specific areas.

There is absolutely no scientifically proven evidence that ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty (UAL) releases a significant amount of free radicals that would jeopardize a patient’s health or increase their risk of cancer. However, UAL of the breast is not recommended, as it is currently undergoing long-term clinical studies of its effect on breast tissue.

The two procedures you are inquiring about accomplish two different things. If you were concerned primarily about the shape or contour of your thigh, then lipoplasty (liposuction) would be the preferred procedure. However, it seems that you are more interested in correcting dimpling. Lipoplasty is not effective for this and can sometimes make dimpling more noticeable. A thigh lift, which tightens skin, is probably the only procedure to make dimpling less noticeable. It does have some drawbacks associated with it. The most noticeable is the necessity for a large incision at your hip. I find this operation to be more effective in minimizing dimpling in the anterior and lateral thigh areas, and less effective on the inside and back of the thigh. The scar can be hidden in a bathing suit, so if you are willing to make this trade off--a smoother skin texture for a scar at the hip--this operation may make sense for you.

There are several surgical techniques that can be used for fat removal in the face. Some involve direct surgical excision of the fat (such as removal of fat in the jowl area during a conventional facelift) and others use lipoplasty (liposuction). In the cheek area, the most common location for excess fat removal is the cheek fat pad. The fat pad is usually removed through the mouth; it can either be teased out and excised, or gently suctioned out of its position, and then surgically removed. The pad is the size of a teaspoon in volume, so the change in facial contour is subtle. Some surgeons have concerns that removal of this fat pad may produce a gaunt look as a person ages. However, removal of the fad pad, when performed conservatively, may be appropriate for properly selected patients.

The healing and appearance of scars following lipoplasty (liposuction) are determined in large part by the individual patient's genetic background. An evaluation of any existing scars on the patient is helpful to predict the likely appearance of new scars. Even among people of the same ethnicity, there can be great variability in the way they heal and the visibility of scars. Patients of African background do have a higher incidence of darker scars and keloids than the general population. However the scars resulting from lipoplasty are small -- usually the size of a pencil eraser head – and can often be placed into areas where they will be well hidden. Should hypertrophic or keloid scars develop, there are treatments available to improve their appearance.

Lipoplasty (liposuction) will reduce the amount of fat that you have between the skin and the underlying muscle layer. It will, however, have no effect on the amount of skin that you have. There can be some contraction of the skin following fat removal but, depending on your skin elasticity, the amount of contraction may be limited. If you have a lot of excess skin now, then it would be reasonable to assume that the problem could become worse following lipoplasty. A skin tightening procedure, such as a thigh lift, may be necessary to correct the “baggy” look. This procedure will leave more extensive scars than lipoplasty alone, but it will improve the contour of the treated areas. An ASAPS-member plastic surgeon can explain this procedure to you and give you a better idea of what the final result will be.

Although it may be different from patient to patient, and liposuction procedures can vary in their magnitude, a general rule for most surgical procedures is to refrain from heavy physical exercise or lifting for 2-3 weeks. During this timeframe, your body is recovering in the inflammatory phase of wound healing. That means that many of the small and medium sized blood vessels which were also traumatized during a surgical procedure are healing but may only be covered by fresh blood clot and inflamed soft tissue. The combination of increasing your heart rate and blood pressure, mixed with shear forces that may pull on these healing tissues, can possibly cause more bleeding and swelling. This in turn may affect your results long term. As stated above, it is possible that your surgeon may allow you to increase your activity level sooner or may ask you to refrain from heavy exercise for a longer time period depending on your specific procedure and his/her comfort level.

Although the thyroid is near the “surgical field” for a neck lift, it is not in it and should not be damaged as a result of lipoplasty (liposuction) of the neck. Rarely, a patient may have a roll of fat directly over the thyroid, but even this situation should not pose a substantial risk of injury.

In power-assisted liposuction (PAL) the surgeon uses a vibrating cannula or tube. The vibration eases passage through the fat and helps to dislodge it, permitting the surgeon to remove more fat and sculpt the tissues with more finesse. I believe the method is also gentler and less traumatic for the patient. PAL can be performed with a local anesthesia. Whether powered-liposuction is considered major surgery or not depends on how much fat is removed, or if additional surgical procedures are performed. Liposuction is a surgical procedure and is subject to complications as with any surgery. If liposuction is performed by a properly trained, board certified plastic surgeon, however, it is a safe procedure with gratifying results.

Lipoplasty (liposuction) of the thighs and hips can be performed with general or epidural (spinal) anesthesia. Local anesthesia with sedation (twilight sleep) can also be used if the amount of fat to be removed from these areas is not excessive. Though there are risks associated with any type of anesthesia, complications are rare. There is absolutely no scientific evidence showing that general anesthesia shortens life span. To help ensure a safe and successful operation, check that your surgeon is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has privileges to perform lipoplasty in an accredited hospital.

The results of liposuction last as long as the patient takes care of himself or herself as far as maintaining healthy eating habits and exercising regularly. The results are quite durable and may be permanent. Liposuction is not a weight loss operation; it is a body contouring procedure.

There are certainly a number of procedures that could reduce your cheeks or at least de-emphasize your cheeks. Lipoplasty (liposuction) might be one, but remember that lipoplasty is a surgical procedure. You need to be evaluated either in person (preferably) or at least by photograph to receive a definite and appropriate answer. Most likely a nasal reshaping procedure could be done at the same time. If you have realistic expectations, you can most likely be helped, but you should seek a personal consultation with a board-certified, ASAPS-member plastic surgeon.

The buttocks can be enhanced by contouring just above them, in the flank area, with liposuction. Fullness in the flanks is typically a male contour problem, but often occurs in females as well. Re-contouring the flank can create a nice posterior curve that accentuates the female buttock. Similarly, contouring any fullness in the upper thighs will have a positive impact on the appearance of the buttocks. In my experience, liposuction of the flanks and thighs offers an excellent alternative to buttock implant and lift procedures.

The question as to whether or not lipoplasty (liposuction) is appropriate as a treatment for weight loss is still controversial. Those that advocate it contend that the ongoing risks of being substantially overweight "outweigh" the risks of lipoplasty. However, lipoplasty, like all surgery, carries risks that must be carefully considered. Your first step should be evaluation by a physician who can properly assess your overall health status. It is important that people seeking to lose weight avoid "fads" and seek legitimate medical help. Surgery, in the form of gastric stapling, has been proven effective for morbid obesity. A plastic surgeon can then remove the excess skin folds that result after the successful weight loss. A board- certified plastic surgeon experienced with patients with this condition is your safest choice.

This is a very good question and important in the context of leg lipoplasty (liposuction). Many people believe that fat is largely the same throughout the subcutaneous tissue space of our body. There are, however, fibrous bands that criss-cross the fat compartments. These may be denser in one area or another or in certain anatomic situations, such as after infection or after a previous lipoplasty procedure. What it sounds like you are concerned with is the suggestion of "fibrous" fat in the legs. It is generally agreed that the fat in the legs is held more firmly in place and likely has more associated fibrous bands than fat in other parts of the body. You can tell because there is less mobility or "wiggle" to the fat in the legs than in the abdomen, for instance. However you have arrived at this understanding, the real issue here is that lipoplasty of the legs for this reason is very “unforgiving”. I tell my patients that it is the one area of the body that has the highest likelihood of contour irregularities (bumps or dents) after lipoplasty. The thinner and the firmer your legs, the more likely are postsurgical irregularities. Technique and operative planning are extremely important in lipoplasty of the legs. Make sure you discuss the risks thoroughly with your plastic surgeon before proceeding.

The problem you describe is a very common one. Lipoplasty (liposuction) is a safe and proven method for body contouring; it is not a method for weight loss. First, an evaluation by your physician or an endocrine evaluation may be helpful to insure there is no medical reason for your appearance. In addition, an exercise program will be helpful to you even if you do not choose to have a surgical procedure. Many people say they are allergic to epinephrine. In reality, epinephrine is a substance that is naturally produced by your body. This "allergic response" may be secondary to some of the medication getting into your bloodstream and causing an increased heart rate following a dental procedure. Other medications can also interfere with anesthesia. It is important to discuss these issues with your plastic surgeon and an anesthesiologist prior to scheduling surgery.



Regarding your abdomen, I feel a combination of lipoplasty with possible mini-abdominoplasty might be the best approach. A mini-abdominoplasty involves smaller incisions than a standard abdominoplasty and is generally used to remove excess skin. Liposuction would help in contouring the saddlebag and leg areas. Both of these procedures are very safe in the proper setting and with proper surgical indications. It may be reasonable to combine both of these procedures at the same time, but this is a decision that will be made following a consultation with a plastic surgeon.

Good questions -- but the answer is that everyone is different! With the "super wet" anesthetic technique adopted by many surgeons in the late 1980s, recovery from lipoplasty (liposuction) became faster -- but it still took 6 to 12 months before the final results were apparent. Today, further advances have improved recovery for many patients. I use a technique called ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty and find that the results patients obtain at 3 weeks are similar to the results I used to see at 6 months. Skin shrinkage, to conform to the new body contour, may continue for up to a year.



Board-certified plastic surgeons who are members of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery operate in inspected and accredited surgical facilities. Infection is very rare under these sterile conditions. One cannot be as certain of the conditions in a facility that is not accredited, state licensed or Medicare certified.

If you are fit and your skin is not saggy now, it will not be saggy following lipoplasty (liposuction), and this would not be a benefit for later pregnancy. As far as the question of when you should consider having surgery, much of my answer depends on when you are planning a pregnancy. If it is within a year, I would wait with all surgery until afterwards. If you plan to become pregnant within 2 years, I might recommend lipoplasty (liposuction), but not a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty). If you are not certain about having a child, or pregnancy would definitely not occur within the next 2 years, you could consider an abdominoplasty if, in fact, you are a good candidate for one. But decisions about what kind of procedure would be appropriate should be made on the basis of a personal evaluation by a qualified surgeon who is a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

The inner thigh is an area that is often suctioned. The patients who undergo this area of suctioning are usually pleased with the improvement, as long as they have realistic expectations. The procedure makes the thigh appear more slender and the leg longer. It frequently corrects the inner thighs from rubbing against each other.



Like lipoplasty in other areas of the body, it should be performed to contour excessive bulging of the fat in that region. It is not a weight loss procedure. Patients who are in good medical health, have localized areas of fullness that will not respond to exercise and diet, and have reasonable skin tone are good candidates for the procedure.



Any patient must be realistic about the limits of what can be achieved. If there is satisfactory elasticity to the skin in the inner thigh, then the skin will generally contour nicely. If there is poor elasticity and the skin has significant sagging in the inner thigh, suction alone may not produce a pleasing result. Patients with poor skin tone in the inner thigh may benefit from an inner thigh lift in conjunction with lipoplasty.



Inner thigh lipoplasty can be performed as an isolated procedure, in conjunction with lipoplasty of other areas, or with other cosmetic (aesthetic) surgical procedures. If a member of my family was going to have the procedure, it would be performed by a plastic surgeon who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and in an accredited or state-licensed ambulatory surgery facility.

Lip reduction is done by surgically removing part of the lip lining (mucosa) and tissue. The scar most often is hidden inside the lip. The procedure is safe, and the results are good. Liposuction is usually not used for lip reduction.

Lipoplasty (liposuction) of these areas can be done as a single procedure as long as the amount of fat is not excessive. If there is massive fat excess, then multiple procedures may be needed. Although some plastic surgeons perform large-volume liposuction, in which massive amounts of fat are removed in one operative session, other surgeons (including myself) do not take this approach. The incisions required for lipoplasty are quite small; however if you have a tendency to form keloids, this can certainly happen following any surgical procedure. You should also be aware that if you have excess skin in areas such as the abdomen, lipoplasty alone will not correct this. In such case, a tummy tuck, which requires a larger incision, may also be necessary at a later date.

Men are often ideal candidates for lipoplasty (liposuction) of the lower abdomen and "love handles." The best candidates are in generally good physical shape, and the love handles are usually very responsive to treatment. The overall protrusion of the stomach in heavier men is due to excess fat inside the abdomen and lipoplasty is not effective in treating this condition. Lipoplasty is not intended as a substitute for weight reduction. In older men, there is often excess skin that may require a more involved procedure such as an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck).

Following significant weight loss, body contour surgery can address the remaining skin excess. Surgical removal of skin can be performed for the upper arms, trunk, and legs. These procedures are sometimes referred to as an arm lift, tummy tuck, body lift, or thigh lift. In addition, some patients benefit from facial procedures such as a neck lift. Each site has specific issues relating to the exact methods, risks, and recovery, so you should consult with a qualified ASAPS-member plastic surgeon in your area who can advise you on an approach to meet your specific needs.