Thigh Slimming Solutions
Our legs allow us to walk. They also store fat and sometimes hold on to extra skin. Let’s figure out how to keep the walking part but ditch the rest.
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Published: March 19, 2021
Last updated: June 03, 2021
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The Skinny
Over 10,000 thigh lift and 250,000 liposuction procedures were performed in the United States in 2018 according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Procedures for body contouring are increasing in popularity, as individuals seek the help of board certified plastic surgeons to create a body more in line with their desired aesthetic (learn more in our guide to Leg Shape & Size Concerns). Through removal of excess thigh skin and fat deposits, plastic surgeons are able to change the appearance of the lower body via alterations to both the inner thigh and the outer thighs.
The Specifics
Who may consider a thigh slimming procedure?
A short anatomy refresher. The upper leg is defined from the hip to the knee. The femur bone runs between these two points. On the front of the leg is the quadriceps muscle and on the back is the hamstring. The anterior thigh is a common area for fat deposits to accumulate. Women are more likely to store fat in the thighs, whereas men are more likely to store it in the midsection.- Excess Skin: This commonly occurs after significant and dramatic weight loss (kudos!) as skin elastin cannot compensate for the change in fat tissue volume causing a drooping, sagging appearance.
- Excess Fat: Typically due to high body weight and body fat levels. Some individuals, women especially, are genetically predisposed to storing fat in the upper leg.
What can you expect from thigh slimming procedures?
A thigh slimming procedure can create definition, contour, and tone through both invasive and minimally invasive procedures. Alterations to soft tissue will refine and define the shape and size of the upper leg and create a body lift from the ground up.- Thigh Lift: A thigh lift will elevate your thighs into the stratosphere by removing excess skin to tighten the upper leg.
- Liposuction: Like a spring cleaning of your adipose tissue, the fat reduction from liposuction is permanent.
- Non-Surgical Fat Reduction: Whether you freeze, heat, or pulse, keep the sharp, pointy blades away from your skin and still look like a boss afterwards.
A surgical technique will be more invasive, under general anesthesia, and, therefore, require more recovery time. Results are significant and long lasting. A non-surgical procedure will have less recovery time, and results will still be significant, however, perhaps not as wide reaching. Some candidates add additional procedures like a tummy tuck or arm lift.
When should you consider a thigh slimming procedure?
A good time to consider a procedure is when you are a good candidate. Now we’ll tell you how to fulfill the good candidate criteria. Be in generally good health, have reasonable expectations, and be able to commit to the needed recovery time. A thigh slimming procedure is going to be subject to weight changes and aging so keep that in mind too.Why should you consider a thigh slimming procedure?
Reasons one may consider a thigh slimming procedure: to have slimmer thighs, to create tone, definition, and contour without eating 1200 calories a day or working out for four to six hours.Thigh Lift for Thigh Slimming
Skin be gone. This sugical procedure removed excess skin for a slimmer thigh.- Thigh Lift
- Overview: Surgical excision of excess skin tissue on the upper leg.
- Cost: $2,000 - $10,000
- Recovery & Results: Swelling, bruising, and activity limitations for three to eight weeks. Results are permanent, but will be affected by weight changes and aging.
Liposuction for Thigh Slimming
Permanent fat reduction is possible with various liposuction techniques.- Power Assisted Liposuction
- Overview: A vibrating instrument breaks down fat prior to removal.
- Cost: $2,000 - $8,000
- Recovery & Results: Swelling and bruising for a few weeks. Results are permanent.
- Ultrasound Assisted Liposuction
- Overview: Ultrasound waves emulsify fat before removal and also improve skin elasticity.
- Cost: $1,500 - $10,000
- Recovery & Results: Swelling and discomfort for one week. The results will evolve over four months.
- Water Jet Assisted Liposuction
- Overview: A variation on tumescent lipo that uses water to help assist fat removal.
- Cost: $4,500 - $10,000
- Recovery & Results: Bruising and swelling for two to four weeks. The results will evolve over one year.
- Laser Assisted Liposuction
- Overview: Laser energy melts fat for easier removal.
- Cost: $2,500 - $5,500
- Recovery & Results: Swelling improves within two weeks. The results are temporary.
- Liposculpture
- Overview: A combination fat removal procedure with muscular toning.
- Cost: $1,400 - $9,500
- Recovery & Results: Swelling, bruising, and soreness for up to four weeks. The results finalize over six to 12 months.
- Radiofrequency Assisted Liposuction
- Overview: Radio waves both remove fat and tighten skin.
- Cost: $2,600 - $8,500
- Recovery & Results: Swelling for up to six weeks. The results are temporary.
- SlimLipo
- Overview: Aka selective laser induced melting. Tumescent lipo plus lasers.
- Cost: $1,500 - $6,000
- Recovery & Results: Swelling and bruising for one week. Results evolve over six months.
- SmartLipo
- Overview: A type of laser assisted liposuction.
- Cost: $1,500 - $6,000
- Recovery & Results: Swelling for two to three weeks. Results will improve over half a year.
- Tumescent Liposuction
- Overview: Lipo with a tumescent solution (lidocaine, epinephrine, and saline) that reduces tenderness and bleeding.
- Cost: $2,000 - $11,000
- Recovery & Results: Swelling and bruising for two weeks. The results are temporary, and affected by weight changes and aging.
Non-Surgical Fat Reduction for Thigh Slimming
For those desiring less intensity but still would like significant and precise results, there are non-surgical slimming treatments.- CoolSculpting®
- Overview: Freezes fat cells to death. Don’t try this at home.
- Cost: $2,000 - $4,000
- Recovery & Results: Mild swelling, bruising, and discomfort. Two to three treatments will be needed for best results.
- Lipodissolve
- Overview: An injectable fat dissolution solution.
- Cost: $150 - $6,000
- Recovery & Results: Bruising and swelling for 10 days. Multiple treatments will be required.
- SculpSure
- Overview: A laser and heat fat dissolving system.
- Cost: $1,400 - $1,500
- Recovery & Results: No associated side effects. Results are permanent, but will require multiple treatments.
- Zerona
- Overview: A laser technique to reduce the size of fat deposits.
- Cost: $1,500 - $3,000
- Recovery & Results: No significant side effects. Multiple treatments will be required.
- BodyTite™
- Overview: RFAL energy to emulsify fat and improve skin laxity.
- Cost: $5,500 - $14,500
- Recovery & Results: Swelling, bruising, and tenderness resolve within a few weeks. The results will last a few years.
- truSculpt®
- Overview: RFAL energy to reduce fat deposits and promote muscle enhancement.
- Cost: $1,000 - $2,500
- Recovery & Results: Swelling and tenderness resolve within a one day. The results will evolve over 12 weeks.
- Emsculpt®
- Overview: High-intensity electromagnetic waves stimulate muscle contractions for muscle building.
- Cost: $1,000 - $4,000
- Recovery & Results: Swelling and redness resolve within a few hours. The results will evolve over at least four treatment sessions.
The Takeaway
Whether your concern is excess skin, excess fat, or the appearance of your outer thighs or inner thighs, a plastic surgeon can utilize a thigh lift surgery or less invasive cosmetic procedure to tone and redefine the lower body.
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Source List
- Paul Cohen, Bruce M Spiegelman Cell Biology of Fat Storage PubMed.gov; 2016-08-15
- GB Forbes Body Fat Content Influences the Body Composition Response to Nutrition and Exercise PubMed.gov; 2000-05-01
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons 2018 Plastic Surgery Statistics Report plasticsurgery.org; 2019-01-01
