“I have always had trouble fitting into women’s jeans or had to buy men’s jeans because if the thighs fit the waist was too big or if the waist fit the legs were to small,” recalled a recent liposuction patient, excited about finally being proportional enough to fit into jeans.
Some people, mainly women, have the tendency to accumulate fat in the outer thigh or saddlebag areas. There is often a genetic predisposition, first seen as a teenager and progressing into adulthood.
These saddlebag areas are particularly resistant to exercise and the only method available to reduce these areas is liposuction.
Tumescent liposuction begins by filling the tissues to be sculpted with a solution of normal body saline that contains a couple of important medications: 1) a dilute concentration of lidocaine that numbs the tissues for several hours and 2) adrenaline which shrinks the small capillaries running adjacent to the fat cells thereby significantly decreasing bleeding.
The surgeon artistically sculpts the body fat through small incisions using a stainless steel tube called a cannula, resulting in a esthetically more pleasing body shape. The development of smaller cannulas require less force and are gentler to the tissues, significantly reducing the chance of skin irregularities. The skin in this area has a remarkable ability to shrink and contract after fat removal.
A support garment is worn for several days after surgery for comfort and tissue support. There is minimal discomfort and a gradual resumption of activity is encouraged beginning the next day. Most people return to work in three to five days depending on the extent of the surgery.
Liposuction is similar to a three dimensional sculpture and often liposuction of other areas such as the waist, hips, back and outer thighs are necessary to achieve the optimal improvement in shape. Many people don’t realize the impact that the waist and hips play on the over all appearance of their silhouette and the way clothing fits.
Liposuction is permanent because not only is the fat removed, but the cells that store the excess fat are also removed. Since new fat cells are not reproduced after they are removed, the suctioned areas do not re-expand. If a person gains weight after liposuction, the weight gain is distributed more evenly over the body rather than in “problem areas” as before.
The procedure is often combined with liposuction of the hips, buttocks, and other areas of the thighs to achieve the best figure improvement. Women are grateful to be in better proportion, so that they ca buy clothing that fits not only in the waist but in the hip and thigh areas as well.
Liposuction of the inner thighs can, also, be done to give a more shapely leg. Rubbing thighs may be improved by removing deposits of fat, but remember that often such physical attributes are more related to bone and muscle, rather than skin and fat.
Some people develop excess fat beneath the buttock, over the back of their thighs with irregularities or dimpling of the skin. This cottage cheese appearance can often be improved using smaller cannulas during liposuction resulting in a smoother, better contour. Liposuction in this area is often combined with liposuction of the buttock, outer thighs and the inner thighs.
As with any elective cosmetic surgical procedure there are risks. Common side effects include bruising, swelling and temporary numbness. Although irregularities of the skin are possible following liposuction, using the tumesecent technique and smaller cannulas minimizes this.
Debbie recently wrote us saying, “I hated my saddlebags since high school. Nothing I did seemed to help- until my liposuction! Now my clothes fit better. I feel more confident in my appearance at work and socializing. My only regret is I didn’t do it sooner.”
Dr. Kaniff, MD, FACS has been in practice for 14 years in the Sacramento area. His office is located in Sacramento at 631 Fulton Avenue. If you have any questions about this article or any other cosmetic surgery please give the office a call at 916-480-9080.
If you would like to look at some before and after photos of Dr. Kaniff’s patients please visit our website at www.bodylipo.com.