Medial Thigh Contouring in Massive Weight Loss: A Liposuction-Assisted Medial Thigh Lift

Abstract

BACKGROUND Thigh’s lifting can be associated with significant complications, if the medial thigh excess is removed en bloc. In this study, the liposuction-assisted medial thigh’s lift (LAMeT) procedure, outcomes and complications were assessed. METHODS Twenty four females between 25 and 61 years with grade 2 or 3 on Pittsburgh Rating Scale (PRS) treated with medial thigh’s reduction were enrolled. Medial thigh’s reduction was performed in three different procedures of vertical, horizontal and LAMeT. Vertical thigh’s lift with fascia suspension was conducted in 13 patients with grade 3 of ptosis on PRS; horizontal thigh’s lift with fascia suspension was undertaken in 3 patients with grade 2 on PRS; vertical and horizontal thigh’s lift considered as control group was described as excision-only group; and LAMeT was performed in 8 patients with grade 2 and 3 on PRS. RESULTS Complications were observed in 62.5% of patients who underwent vertical or horizontal thigh’s lift with fascia suspension and in 16.7% who experienced the LAMeT without fascia suspension. The most frequent complication was seroma. Hospital stay was significantly lower in the LAMeT. CONCLUSION Medial thigh’s lift is a safe and satisfying procedure because it provides aesthetic improvement in massive weight loss patients. The complication rate is higher when skin excess and laxity are removed en bloc, as the resection of excess tissue is poorly selective. The LAMeT preserves lymphatic and blood vessels and allows a more anatomical resection of the excess skin. Thus postoperative complications incidence is lower and the patient heals faster.

Microwave System: A Novel Treatment for Localized Adiposity Reduction in a Latin American Population

“…The microwave body remodeling system constitutes a novel noninvasive technology for subcutaneous adipose tissue reduction [ 1 , 2 ]. Designed for deep tissue heating, it provides treatment of localized adiposities, edematous fibro sclerotic panniculopathy (EFP), and skin laxity, among other body remodeling applications in the fields of dermatology, plastic surgery, and aesthetic medicine [ 1 , 3 ].…”

“…The microwave body remodeling system constitutes a novel noninvasive technology for subcutaneous adipose tissue reduction [ 1 , 2 ]. Designed for deep tissue heating, it provides treatment of localized adiposities, edematous fibro sclerotic panniculopathy (EFP), and skin laxity, among other body remodeling applications in the fields of dermatology, plastic surgery, and aesthetic medicine [ 1 , 3 ]. A frequency of 2.45 GHz in a controlled microwave emission interacts with biomolecules and generates controlled, localized heat where 80% of the transferred energy is absorbed in a selective manner by adipocytes in the deepest layer of the skin through a biophysical process called “dielectric heating” [ 2 , 4 , 5 ].…”

“…The immediate consequence is a disarray of the adipocyte's cytoplasm due to a metabolic increase with an outflow of the fatty content through the blebbing effect [ 2 ] producing physiologic macrophage activation that takes up this fat and eliminates it via lymphatic drainage, at the same time producing collagen solubilization, fibroblasts activation, and fibrous tissue remodeling, reducing adipose tissue, improving cellular metabolism, local circulation, and skin quality [ 2 ]. This way, the system induces thermic modifications in subcutaneous adipose tissue, preferably without affecting the dermo-epidermic layer, unlike other systems such as radiofrequency (RF) [ 1 ]. In fact, the selective microwaves (called Coolwaves) of the Onda device (which works at 2.45 GHz) thanks to this high frequency, make the skin tissue almost “transparent” to the passage of energy which is almost totally conducted over the subdermal fat layer specifically.…”

“…The main application of this system is the management of EFP, commonly known as cellulite. This condition affects between 80 and 90% of the female postpubertal population [ 1 ], and it is manifested as an alteration in the skin surface consisting of depression and elevation that give an irregular appearance known as “orange skin”. Typically, it is found on the thighs, buttocks, arms, and abdomen causing aesthetic unconformity [ 1 ].…”

“…This condition affects between 80 and 90% of the female postpubertal population [ 1 ], and it is manifested as an alteration in the skin surface consisting of depression and elevation that give an irregular appearance known as “orange skin”. Typically, it is found on the thighs, buttocks, arms, and abdomen causing aesthetic unconformity [ 1 ]. It is caused by soft tissue fibrosis and sclerosis induced by genetic and hormonal factors, alcohol ingestion, contraceptive use, and microcirculatory venous lymphatic dysfunction among others.…”