Thigh liposuction is an effective surgical method for shaping the thighs with permanent fat removal. Using thin needles, sophisticated technique and clinical experience, the thighs are shaped by removing fat from the targeted areas. Good liposuction results require an experienced surgeon.
Thigh liposuction can be performed on parts of the thigh, such as the outer thigh, inner thigh, front thigh or back thigh, but it can also be performed circularly around the entire thigh. We call this thigh 360 liposuction, or circular thigh liposuction. What is suitable for the individual patient is clarified during a consultation before surgery.
Liposuction of the thighs is often combined with liposuction of the calf or ankle. However, liposuction, or liposculpture, is an effective method for permanent fat removal in other areas of the body as well. The most common areas for liposuction are the abdomen, hip waist (flank), back cushions, chest (in men), armpits and chin-neck (double chin). Read more about liposuction here.
Liposuction is usually an important part of the treatment for tummy tucks, arm lifts and thigh lifts.
Sedation with local or general anesthesia
3-7 days
Total 3-4 hours
After 7-14 days and 6 months
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Liposuction thighs is an effective method for removing fat deposits on the thighs and thus shaping the thighs.
Liposuction itself is not a slimming method, but rather a figure-shaping method. In English it is called liposuction. Liposuction is also called liposculpture in Norwegian. Patients with lipoedema and lipodystrophy can also achieve good results with this type of procedure.
Liposuction of the outer thighs effectively removes fatty tissue in the upper and outer thigh area. The area in question can also extend backwards towards the seat. Some people find it difficult to find clothes that fit. They often describe that trousers that fit over the upper part of the thigh are too wide further down the thigh, while trousers that fit further down the thigh are often too tight higher up the thigh. Liposuction of the outer thigh can effectively shape this area and is one of the most common plastic surgery procedures.
Despite optimization of diet and exercise, fat deposits on the outer thighs often do not go away. In such cases, liposuction can be an effective treatment.
Inner thigh liposuction removes fatty tissue in the upper and inner thigh area. Patients may experience chafing on the inner thighs and difficulty finding suitable clothing, in addition to purely cosmetic issues.
Historically, liposuction on the inside of the thigh has been seen as very difficult, and many surgeons have feared that the skin will become loose on the inside of the thigh during liposuction. When liposuction is performed correctly, good results are achieved. However, it requires an experienced surgeon to get the best possible result.
If the main problem is loose skin on the inside of the thighs, a thighplasty can be a good treatment option. A thighplasty tightens the skin by removing loose skin. Read more about thighplasty here.
Liposuction of the front of the thigh removes fatty tissue from the front of the thigh.
Adipose tissue located just above the kneecap is difficult to access for liposuction. This is very close to the knee. Liposuction in this area can cause prolonged pain, which limits the possibilities for fat removal here. Higher up on the thigh, on the other hand, there are good conditions for liposuction.
Back thigh liposuction removes fatty tissue on the back of the thigh, below the buttocks. Usually there is less fullness in the skin and dermis on the back of the thighs.
If the main problem is loose skin, thighplasty can also have an effect on the back of the thighs. Read more about thighplasty here.
Liposuction around the entire thigh is particularly demanding and requires an experienced surgeon to achieve a good result.
Those who have localized areas of obesity despite optimal exercise and diet may be candidates for liposuction on the thighs. Typical areas are outer thighs and inner thighs, but we are all different, and some have indications on the front and back of the thighs as well.
Patients with lipodystrophy, i.e. uneven distribution of fat deposits on parts of the body, may also be candidates.
Liposuction of the outer and inner thighs is one of the most common plastic surgery procedures worldwide. As long as safe methods are used, the results are usually good. Of course, this assumes that the surgeon is competent and experienced. Patients are generally satisfied with the method we offer at Klinikk A. Examples of other areas that may be suitable for liposuction are the abdomen, hips, waist, inner knees, arms, chin and neck.
Muscles and bones cannot be shaped with liposuction. Subcutaneous fat can be shaped with liposuction, which may give the impression that muscles and bones are being shaped, but all people have their own unique anatomy when it comes to bones and muscles. In other words, muscles and bones cannot be shaped by liposuction. In order to shape muscles, it is primarily exercise that has an effect. The fatty tissue overlying the skeleton and muscles can be shaped with liposuction. During a consultation, the plastic surgeon will explain the limitations and possibilities of the treatment.
Patients with lipodystrophy, i.e. uneven distribution of fatty tissue, may also be candidates for liposuction of the thighs. This is a medical condition characterized by, among other things, an uneven distribution of subcutaneous fat in different parts of the body. For example, some people have more fatty tissue on their thighs and calves than on their upper body, some have more on their arms than on the rest of their body, and some have slender arms and legs but clearly more fatty tissue on their upper body. Often these patients also have areas with very little fatty tissue. The difference in adipose tissue often persists if patients lose or gain weight.
Many of the patients who come to us have for a long time done what they can with exercise and diet, but have not achieved their goals. The areas that often remain are the outer thighs, inner thighs and front thighs. With liposuction, we can permanently remove the fatty tissue in these areas.
Liposuction is often performed in several areas at the same time. If possible, it can be beneficial to combine adjacent areas. Examples include the outer thighs, inner thighs and front thighs, combined with the front of the abdomen. It is also possible to liposuction other areas, such as inside knees and upper legs. It is not possible to liposuction the entire body during the same operation. If the areas are too large, we won't be able to treat the areas in question properly, with safe and good results. In such cases, we have to divide the treatment into several operations. There should be at least two weeks between each operation. We recommend a consultation with one of our plastic surgeons to clarify what may be relevant for the individual patient.
There are several medical conditions with uneven distribution of subcutaneous fat. This can occur as a result of injury, after previous surgery or as a result of regular injection of insulin in diabetic patients or spontaneously as so-called lipodystrophy, see section above. Uneven fat distribution as a result of these medical conditions can lead to physical and distressing symptoms in the form of retractions, difficulty in finding clothes that fit and unevenness that makes it difficult to wear normal clothes. Some of these cases may also fall under conditions that are treated in public hospitals. Our surgeons are very familiar with the guidelines for public treatment. Patients who are wondering if they have a public indication for surgery can get an assessment from our plastic surgeons. Book an appointment here.
Liposuction is a permanent removal of fatty tissue. This means that the fat cells that have been removed will be gone forever. However, there will still be fat cells left in the area that has been treated with liposuction. This tissue will increase and decrease in volume with any weight gain or loss. The area that has been liposuctioned will always have proportionately less fullness compared to surrounding areas.
After an ordinary liposuction, the fat that is removed is handled as special waste. This means that the fat goes to an incinerator and is treated according to strict waste management rules. Can this fat be used for something else? Yes, the fat can be transplanted back elsewhere in the body - so-called fat grafting. In other words, the fat can be recycled for use in your own body, which is beneficial in certain cases. The properties of fat mean that it can add volume, but it can also have skin-enhancing properties.
Fat grafting is increasingly being performed. The most common areas where the fat is used are for breast augmentation, buttock shaping (so-called Brazilian Butt Lift - BBL), face and scar correction.
A fat transplant involves moving tissue from one part of the body to another. Liposuction is the method used to access the fat to be transplanted.
Adipose tissue contains fat cells, stem cells and growth factors. This can be used to increase volume in areas such as the breasts, buttocks, face and for scar corrections in general. The advantage of moving your own fat is that it is the body's own tissue. So there are no foreign body reactions, and the transplanted area becomes natural and soft. Fat grafting has a regenerative effect on the skin and can help to soften and fill areas with hard, retracted scar tissue. Compared to ordinary filler, fat grafting generally gives a more natural look and is a permanent solution that does not need to be repeated.
If the goal is a larger increase in volume, several rounds of fat grafting may be required before the result is satisfactory.
The transplanted fatty tissue behaves like normal fatty tissue after transplantation. This means that if you gain weight, the transplanted fatty tissue will increase in volume in the same way as normal fatty tissue. Similarly, if you lose weight, the transplanted fat tissue will decrease in volume.
Liposuction is performed with thin needles that remove fat from the areas to be treated. Fat deposits on the thighs are safely and effectively treated with liposuction, also known as liposculpture. The operation is usually performed under general anesthesia, but it is also possible to use sedation. During the operation, the area to be liposuctioned is filled with a special fluid that prepares the tissue for liposuction. This fluid is called tumor essence and consists of carefully tested and measured components. The liposuction itself is performed with thin cannulas that remove the fat cells using a vacuum. Small openings are made in the skin in order to perform the liposuction. These are about 10 mm long and there are usually 1 to 2 stitches that need to be removed from each individual scar. Sometimes we can close the scars with stitches that dissolve on their own.
Liposuction is performed with thin needles. When searching online, it can be difficult to navigate the differences between the various methods. Terms such as liposuction, regular liposuction, liposculpture, power assisted liposuction, smartlipo, laser lipolysis, water assisted liposuction, RF assisted liposuction and US assisted liposuction appear. Common to all methods is the use of tumescence, i.e. the tissue is filled with fluid before the actual liposuction.
With the different methods, there are differences in the technology of the needles. In our opinion, the method that provides the most predictable results and the safest treatment is conventional liposuction with standard liposuction cannulas.
In general, any use of energy in liposuction cannulas makes the result more unpredictable. These methods are not as proven in terms of patient safety. The use of energy in the cannulas (laser, RF, UL) causes the tissue to be exposed to heat and friction. The tissue's response to this varies and control of the energy development is limited. By searching online, you might get the impression that the use of lasers, for example, can make liposuction less stressful on the body. This is not true. Laser procedures are a variant of liposuction that also requires recovery time, and we often receive inquiries from patients who have had laser liposuction where the result is uneven and not in line with the patient's expectations.
The location of thigh liposuction scars depends on the areas of the thigh to be treated. These are usually closed with 1 to 2 stitches that are removed after 1 to 2 weeks. The scars are placed close to the area to be operated on.
To clarify whether liposuction surgery of the thighs may be relevant, we recommend scheduling a consultation with one of our plastic surgeons. If you live far from Oslo, we can do this via Teams. Book an appointment with our plastic surgeons for a non-binding consultation.
Many people wonder what a consultation involves. During the consultation, the plastic surgeon will listen to the individual's wishes and needs. One of the goals of the consultation is to answer all the questions the individual may have. To achieve this, we set aside plenty of time. After the consultation, you should have a good overview of which treatment options may be relevant and what advantages or disadvantages the various options offer. Together, you will then agree on which treatment may be appropriate.
When you arrive at the clinic, one of our employees will hand you a form to fill in in the waiting area. The consultation itself begins in the doctor's office, where we start by going through what the individual wants to be assessed for. The dialog between the patient and the plastic surgeon is crucial for determining the best treatment. Information such as previous illnesses, allergies, regular medication and the like is then reviewed while the surgeon writes the patient's medical records.
In each office, we have a sheltered changing area where the patient undresses as necessary. Photos are normally documented as a standard part of the medical record information. The system we use for photo documentation is approved and in line with GDPR.
The surgeon then performs the necessary examinations of the area in question and makes recommendations regarding treatment options. During the consultation, the surgeon tries to form as realistic a picture as possible of what the individual can expect after surgery. All patients have different starting points, which requires an individual approach to meet each person's needs. Our goal at Klinikk A is for each patient to be satisfied with their choices, and for the decision-making basis to be the best possible when the choice is made. Well-informed patients make good choices.
It is not permitted to show before and after pictures on Norwegian websites. During a consultation, however, it is permitted to show slides so that the surgeon can show relevant before and after pictures for liposuction.
The operation is usually performed under general anesthesia. Patients arrive fasting at Klinikk A on the day of surgery, have washed with Hibiscrub and taken prescribed medication. You should not eat or drink during the last 6 hours before surgery, with two exceptions - you can drink water up to two hours before surgery, and you should drink water with your prescribed medicine on Klinikk A. In practice, this usually means that you should not eat or drink before the operation on the day of the operation itself, except for what you are told at the clinic.
The anesthesia staff have a brief chat to make sure everything is ready for the anesthesia.
After this, the plastic surgeon is greeted and any questions are clarified. Patients undress before the surgeon's endorsements and put on the clinic's dressing gown and slippers. Personal clothing and valuables are placed in a box that follows the patient throughout their stay at the clinic.
After this, you will be taken to the operating room where you will be met by the surgical nurse and the anesthesia staff. The patient is now prepared for the operation. This means that the surgical field is washed and covered with sterile material, you lie down in the correct position on the operating table and intravenous access for the anesthetics is secured with a small prick in the arm. You fall asleep quickly when anesthesia begins, and most people describe a good and comfortable sleep when they wake up. The operation itself takes one to two hours, and you don't notice anything about the operation itself.
In our experience, most patients have a smooth recovery after liposuction. Many people wonder how painful it is after such an operation. Most people wake up with little discomfort, the next day many describe some discomfort, but direct pain is rarely reported. How the individual experiences the first period after surgery varies from person to person.
Once the operation is complete, patients are transferred to our post-operative ward, where our staff look after them. As you wake up, you will be given something to drink and something light to eat. Many patients find that they feel a little tired, but still quite alert in the first few hours. Some will feel a little restless and fidgety for the first 24 - 48 hours. This is due to the medication given. During the first few days, most people experience some degree of discomfort in the operated area. This will normally become less and less over time. It is common to feel some pulling and discomfort in certain situations even many weeks after surgery. This is not dangerous and does not indicate that anything is wrong.
For the first two to three days, strive for very quiet activity. Then you can gradually resume simple, everyday activity, but still take care and listen to your body. After 7 to 10 days, activity can be gradually increased.
Increased activity can be resumed cautiously as early as two to three weeks after surgery, but you should listen to your body.
After four weeks, you can start exercising after surgery.
The wound is dressed with Micropore tape and an absorbent dressing, often Mepore dressing. The Micropore tape stays on until it falls off on its own, or until the stitches are removed on Klinikk A. To ensure the best possible result, we use compression garments after surgery. This can be purchased at Klinikk A, where we choose the one that best suits the individual area and the individual patient. If you already have suitable compression garments, we can consider using them for the operation in question.
We usually recommend showering three to four days after surgery. You should then remove the compression garment and the absorbent bandage, usually a white Mepore bandage. The Micropore tape is placed under the absorbent dressing and will remain in place until any stitches are removed, Klinikk A is checked or until it falls off by itself. This is agreed with the surgeon in connection with the operation. Shower the entire body in the usual way with shampoo and soap. Finally, rinse the body clean of soap. The Micropore tape will then be damp, but it dries quickly by itself, so-called air drying, or can be dried gently using a hairdryer. It is not necessary to use an absorbent bandage after showering, unless there is still fluid from the scars.
The first check-up is usually 7 to 21 days after surgery on Klinikk A. If you live far from the clinic, any stitches can be removed by your GP. The final result will not be visible until some time has passed, which is why we only schedule the next check-up after 3-12 months. During the first period after surgery, the tissue in the operated area is swollen due to the surgery. This is normal and natural, as an operation has been performed. The swelling tends to increase in the first few days and starts to decrease 3 to 10 days after surgery. Usually there is uneven swelling in the operated area until all the swelling has gone down. After three weeks, much of the swelling has gone down. In the phase that follows, the body needs a long time to adapt to the new situation. The tissue in the operated area is slowly but surely transformed into permanent, strong tissue. This process is called the maturation phase and theoretically lasts for up to two years, but this is normally not very noticeable in everyday life.
Many people wonder when they can resume exercise after surgery. For the first 2 to 3 weeks after surgery, you should avoid activities that increase your heart rate and require large movements. After this, you can gradually increase your activity, but you should allow 3-4 weeks before you can start exercising normally.
Office workers can normally expect to return to work the day after surgery, but we recommend that you have the opportunity to rest a little extra and be able to lie down to rest a little, especially in the first week after surgery. During your pre-surgery consultation, you can discuss what to expect in terms of your ability to work after surgery.
All surgeries have a risk of complications. The absolute risk of complications after liposuction is low. Serious complications are very rare, but the risk of surgery is never zero.
Any bleeding usually occurs before you leave the clinic, but can also occur at home, usually within the first two days after the procedure. This type of bleeding is caused by the operation and is most often the result of a small vein opening up after the operation. Bleeding is usually marked by rapid bursting and swelling in the area in question. The bleeding itself is usually on the inside of the skin and is not dangerous, but may require a reoperation. The surgeon will then remove the blood and stop the bleeding. To prevent bleeding, it is important to wear compression garments as prescribed. The compression garment puts pressure on the tissue, which in itself reduces the risk of bleeding.
Our surgeons are available 24 hours a day, all year round in connection with the treatments that have been performed. If such bleeding is treated quickly and correctly, this complication will have no impact on the end result. To prevent this type of bleeding after surgery, it is very important that you follow the advice you are given in connection with the operation, read the information letter you have received carefully and stay calm in the initial period after the procedure.
Increasing redness, swelling, tenderness, secretion of pus from the surgical wound or general malaise may be signs of infection. In this case, the surgical wound must be inspected by the surgeon. Sometimes it is sufficient to change the wound while the surgeon assesses whether antibiotics are necessary.
Some people experience altered sensation in the skin in the operated area. The sensation can be both reduced and increased, almost slightly hypersensitive to touch. In the vast majority of cases, the sensation normalizes over time. How long it takes for the sensation to normalize varies from person to person.
If you want to read more about liposuction, Norwegian Health Informatics has good and factual information about breast lifts. Read more at nhi.no.
The extent to which people bruise varies greatly; some bruise more, while others bruise little or not at all. The technique used means that there is minimal bleeding during the procedure. You should expect it to be swollen and may feel a little uneven in the first few weeks and up to 12 weeks after the procedure. This is completely normal and will gradually subside. It is important to use the compression garment as recommended.
Pain is experienced very individually, but the technique used on Klinikk A results in minimal pain and very few complications. Most of the feedback we receive is that they feel "unashamedly good" already the day after the operation.
Cosmetic surgery does not entitle you to sick leave. We therefore recommend that you take 1 week off work after the procedure if you have physical work. For office work, 2-4 days off may be sufficient. If you have the opportunity to plan a little reduced pressure at work in the first phase, it is recommended.
If the liposuction is part of a treatment with a medical indication, you may be placed on sick leave. Examples of this include abdominoplasty or surgery after major weight loss that meets the criteria applicable at any given time.
At Klinikk A, you will meet the country's most experienced and skilled plastic surgeons. Our team has extensive experience, and you will be in safe hands during your stay with us.
Dr. Frode Amland is a pioneer in aesthetic surgery in Norway, and a highly skilled surgeon in liposculpture / liposuction and facelift. He holds a PhD in plastic surgery and has also supervised other PhD candidates in the field of liposuction.
Senior consultant Dr. Ståle Buhagen is a specialist in plastic and general surgery. He has worked in surgery since 2004, both in the public and private sectors. His main areas of expertise include breast surgery for women and men, facial procedures such as facelift and eyelid surgery, and body contouring procedures including abdominoplasty, arm lift, thigh lift, and liposuction.
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