Liposuction thighs and saddlebags: everything you need to know!

Liposuction of the thighs and saddlebags is a cosmetic surgery procedure. It permanently removes excess fat from the thighs in a circular fashion. The results are excellent, with minimal scarring.

How does the operation work? Is it painful? What results can be expected? What are the risks and contraindications?
Dr Djian, plastic and aesthetic surgeon in Paris, answers all your questions.

THIGH LIPOSUCTION: DEFINITION

The liposuction thighs is suitable for both men and women. It concerns patients with excess fat on the thighs, sometimes referred to as «saddlebags». When sport and diet are not enough, this solution can be considered. Some patients resort to liposuction of the inner thighs when the friction of their thighs causes irritation.

The liposuction saddlebags involves suctioning fat from the thighs using cannulas (3/4 millimeters) inserted under the skin. Subcutaneous fat must be handled gently and evenly to avoid unsightly ripples.

Liposuction of the thighs treats circular and localized fat (known as lipomeria). These are fats that are resistant to diet and exercise. They are therefore present, even if the patient has a balanced diet, after a weight loss.

The saddlebags liposuction treats the inner and outer thighs, as well as the front and back. Its action is circular.

The results are excellent, radical and long-lasting. What's more, liposuction scars are virtually invisible.

Liposuction is not a technique designed to make the patient lose weight. It is solely dedicated to the removal of stubborn fat.

Gentle liposuction is recommended for patients with low fat mass and/or fragile thigh skin. This technique avoids the «corrugated sheet» effect. It is reserved for the inner and posterior thighs, where the skin is fragile and not very elastic.

Gentle liposuction is also suitable for slim women who have a very slight saddlebags.

WHAT AREAS OF THE THIGHS CAN BE TREATED WITH THIS OPERATION?

Liposuction of the thighs treats 4 areas:

• The outer thighs, also known as «saddlebags»;
• The inner thighs if the skin is of good quality;
• Posterior thighs;
• The front of the thighs with knees included (above the ball joint).

It is common for these areas to be treated simultaneously. This is called circular liposuction of the thighs. However, it is also possible to treat just one area.

PROCEDURE

Thigh liposuction takes 1 to 2 hours, depending on the amount of fat to be removed.

Most often, it takes place under general anesthesia. However, smaller liposuction procedures can be carried out under the following conditions local anaesthetic. Anesthesia depends on the size of the area to be treated.

In most cases, liposuction is performed on an outpatient basis (same-day discharge). However, the length of hospital stay varies according to the amount of fat suctioned and the associated operations. Below 2 liters of grease removed, The operation can be performed on an outpatient basis. However, beyond 3.5 liters of grease, It's best to spend the night at the clinic.

The intervention takes place in several stages:

• The surgeon delimits the areas to be treated with a surgical felt-tip pen. He then injects a liquid that liquefies the excess fat, to facilitate suction.
• A cannula with a perforated tip is inserted through small incisions (2-3 mm). These incisions are hidden in the natural folds of the skin (buttock crease, outer thigh or lower hip).
• The practitioner uses back-and-forth movements to draw out the fat via the cannulas.
• Once all the fat cells the surgeon closes the incisions with absorbable sutures.

WHAT ARE THE RESULTS OF SADDLEBAGS LIPOSUCTION?

The first results are visible immediately after the operation. Thighs are visibly slimmer and better shaped.

The final result is visible 3 to 6 months after the procedure.. This is the time needed for the swelling and bruising to subside, and for the skin to retract.

Every liposuction procedure has different results, depending on the patient's morphology, the amount of fat removed and the quality of the skin. To evaluate the possible results of this procedure, consult the before and after photos of liposuction from cases treated by Dr. Djian.

The result is definitive: even if the patient gains weight, the fat will stay elsewhere.

As far as scars are concerned, it takes around 12 months for them to fade. However, they are very small (around 5 mm) and hidden in the skin folds, so they are hardly visible.

HOW MUCH DOES THIGH LIPOSUCTION COST?

The price of thigh liposuction depends mainly on the quantity of fat to be removed and the extent of the areas to be treated.

In addition to the intervention, other costs are to be expected:

• Consultation with the anaesthetist ;
• Cost of local or general anaesthesia ;
• Outpatient or overnight stay ;
• First consultation with the surgeon;
• Contention panty.

In all cases, at the end of the first consultation, you will receive a detailed, personalized quote.

IS LIPOSUCTION COVERED BY SOCIAL SECURITY?

Liposuction of the thighs is a cosmetic surgery procedure.

It cannot therefore benefit from a reimbursed by Social Security.

The only case in which liposuction is coverage is when the patient suffers from severe iatrogenic lipodystrophy (fatty deposits caused by medication).

WHAT TO DO BEFORE SADDLEBAGS LIPOSUCTION?

Before undergoing liposuction, it is advisable to get as close as possible to your ideal weight.

It is also advisable to stop taking the pill and stop smoking 1 month before the operation. This reduces the risk of thromboembolic complications and improves tissue healing.

Aspirin and anti-inflammatory drugs should not be taken 10 days before the operation.

Before the procedure, one or two preliminary consultations are scheduled. During these consultations, the plastic surgeon examines the patient's morphology. He defines the areas where lipomerias are located (fatty tissues), as well as skin quality. He also explains the procedure to the patient and answers any questions she may have.

The practitioner also checks that there are no contraindications or allergies.

The patient will have to undergo a pre-operative blood test. She must also visit the anesthetist between 1 month and 48 hours before the operation.

WHAT TO DO AFTER THIGH LIPOSUCTION?

After liposuction, edema (swelling) and bruising are common. These resolve naturally and gradually after a few weeks.

To facilitate resorption, the patient should wear a panty or lipopanty for 3 weeks to a month. The panty must be worn day and night.

WHAT ARE THE CONTRAINDICATIONS TO THIGH LIPOSUCTION?

Like all surgical procedure, the liposuction has a few contraindications.

Contraindications:

• Immunodeficiency disease or other serious illness ;
• Disorders such as dysmorphophobia;
• History of phlebitis or pulmonary embolism ;
• Obesity;
• Poor skin quality: the skin must be sufficiently thick, elastic and toned to retract properly.

Smoking is bad for your skin. It slows down the healing process. We therefore recommend you stop smoking at least 1 month before the operation.

Hormonal contraceptives should also be stopped at least 1 month before thigh liposuction. Aspirin-based medications should be stopped 15 days before the operation.

Women who have given birth are advised to wait 6 to 9 months before undergoing liposuction.

Some patients experience moderate pain after surgery. These pains are similar to aches and pains. They are normal and can be relieved by conventional painkillers.

Fatigue is common, especially when a large amount of fat has been removed. The patient will then need to rest. Fatigue can be prevented by taking iron for 10 days prior to surgery.

The first shower is permitted the day after the operation. However, bathing is not permitted for the first few weeks.

Moderate, gentle walking can be resumed the day after surgery. However, sporting activities can only be resumed after 1 month. It is advisable to resume an active lifestyle after 3 to 7 days.

WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS?

The risks associated with liposuction are minimal, and complications are extremely rare. The purpose of the preoperative consultation is to rule out these risks.

However, certain complications can be reported:

• Numbness or altered sensitivity in treated areas: these effects disappear after a few weeks;
• Insufficient or asymmetrical correction, surface irregularities (waves, bumps): further treatment can be scheduled, usually under local anaesthetic;
• Poor skin retraction: additional procedure to harmonize inhomogeneous areas («waves»);
• Worsening of the “orange peel” effect: only in the case of unsuitable surgical techniques or procedures performed despite the presence of contraindications.

WHAT OPERATIONS ARE OFTEN ASSOCIATED?

In the case of significant skin excess, a thigh lift can be offered as a complement.

To balance the overall silhouette, it is possible to create :

• A tummy tuck liposuction ;
• A buttock lipofilling;
• Knee liposuction;
• A hip liposuction;