Sometimes a single procedure isn’t enough to shape the thighs, which is why Dr. Hagopian often combines liposuction with thigh lift surgery. A thigh lift excels at removing excess, sagging skin, especially after significant weight loss or aging, but it is not designed to target or sculpt fat deposits.
That’s where liposuction comes in. It complements a thigh lift by contouring areas where stubborn fat remains, such as the inner or outer thighs, to enhance overall shape. When performed together, the two procedures create more extensive improvement than focusing on skin laxity or fat volume alone.
Combining a Thigh Lift With Liposuction
In surgery, Dr. Hagopian combines these techniques in one procedure, tightening loose skin while selectively removing fat to create smoother thigh contours. He places incisions within natural creases to remove lax skin and refine the thigh contour, while SAFELipo® or VASER® liposuction reduces stubborn fat deposits that don’t respond to diet or exercise. Treating both layers of tissue together allows for smoother, firmer thigh shaping.
Expect bruising, swelling, and several months of gradual refinement as tissues settle. To support healing and help optimize results, it’s important to follow Dr. Hagopian’s postoperative instructions, which may include the following:
- Wearing compression garments
- Walking early to support circulation
- Staying hydrated
- Avoiding strenuous activity for a few weeks
Liposuction and Lipedema
While many people opt for liposuction purely for aesthetic enhancement, there’s another important context in which it can play a medical role: lipedema. This chronic condition is characterized by abnormal fat deposits, often in the thighs, hips, and legs, that are resistant to diet and exercise and can lead to pain, heaviness, bruising, or mobility challenges.
Dr. Hagopian uses a specialized, lymphatic-sparing liposuction technique for lipedema. The goal isn’t just cosmetic; it removes pathologic fat deposits while preserving important lymphatic channels, reducing discomfort and improving mobility.
For many patients, lipedema surgery is a life-changing procedure because it removes abnormal fat, alleviates pain, reduces swelling, and restores more balanced body proportions. It can also slow the disease’s progress.
Combining lipedema surgery with a thigh lift can address both fat volume and skin laxity, resulting in a functional and aesthetically pleasing outcome.
Is a Thigh Lift With Liposuction Right for You?
The combined liposuction and thigh lift approach may be appropriate if you’re dealing with:
- Excess fat deposits on the thighs that won’t respond to diet or exercise.
- Loose, sagging thigh skin as a result of weight loss or natural aging.
- Certain lipedema cases, where abnormal fat distribution and tissue changes affect comfort, function, and appearance.
Why Working With an Expert Matters
Because combining procedures increases surgical complexity and your recovery, it’s important to choose a board-certified plastic surgeon experienced in integrated body contouring, such as Dr. Hagopian. A surgeon with expertise in thigh lift incisions and personalized recovery protocols helps minimize risk and maximize long-term results. You can read more about who is a good candidate for thigh lift surgery in our previous blog post.
If you’ve struggled with stubborn thigh fat, skin laxity, or discomfort related to lipedema and are ready to explore a modern, integrated surgical solution, request a consultation with Dr. Hagopian using the online form or call us at (404) 885-8542.
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