A botched Hi-Def Liposuction can impact the patient's well-being & mental health. Here are the common complications to look out for & what to do about it.
December 20, 2024
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The sun’s out. It’s a beautiful day. However, your self-consciousness is stopping you from reaching for that short, fluttery skirt or bikini.
However, your self-consciousness is stopping you from reaching for that short, fluttery skirt or bikini. The struggle is real. Whether it's thigh fat, pigmentation or rashes from thigh chafing, saddlebags, 'kninkles', excess knee fat, or other equally delightful dilemmas, most of us have something we would like to change about our legs.
"Thunder thighs" is just one of the unfortunate names our less-than-slim thighs have been called. You know that familiar pull across your pants or A-line skirt and the ensuing creases caused by fleshy thighs that fill up form-fitting bottoms too tightly?
What can you do if you want to confidently flaunt your gams?
Here's why these issues shouldn't be ignored – and how we can liberate our legs before the year is out!
What Is Thigh Fat?
Thigh fat is a common concern for many women. Fat accumulation in the thigh area can be influenced by various factors, including genetics, hormonal changes, and lifestyle choices. Even women who are slim and fit may experience thigh fat accumulation in either the inner or outer thigh (or both!).
This issue affects women of all sizes and can impact their confidence and daily activities. Despite efforts to make dietary changes and engage in exercise, reducing fat in the thigh areas can be particularly challenging due to the body's natural tendency to store fat in this region.
Problem 1: Thunder Thighs, Stubborn inner thigh fat and thigh chafing
Adipocytes (fat cells) store energy as fat. In adulthood, the number of fat cells remains constant, but their size changes with weight fluctuations. If we gain weight, the fat cells expand, and when we lose weight, they shrink.
Our genetics largely determine where excess fat accumulates. Women usually store excess fat in their belly, hips, buttocks, and thighs, which may lead to chronic health conditions and reduced quality of life. In addition, excess thigh fat can significantly impact our self-confidence, limiting our clothing choices and styling choices, such as wearing shorts or mini-skirts.
Excess inner thigh fat can cause thigh chafing, leading to redness, burning sensations, rashes, and even blister-like boils. If your inner thighs frequently chafe, brown spots may appear. Continuous thigh chafing damages your skin and makes it prone to hyperpigmentation.
To prevent thigh chafing, opt for moisture-wicking fabrics and avoid thin leggings that trap moisture.
Problem 2: Kninkles and knee fat
"Kninkles" refers to wrinkles or sagging skin around the knee area. This concern may not be widely known in Singapore but has gained attention, especially in the celebrity world, where physical appearance is highly scrutinised. As people age, the skin around the knees can lose its elasticity, leading to knee wrinkles and fat accumulation.
Thanks to advancements in medical aesthetics, kninkles and other signs of ageing, such as sagging skin on the hands and neck, can be treated through various non-invasive or surgical procedures. Whether through collagen-boosting treatments such as biostimulator injections, fat reduction with liposuction, or Ultherapy Skin tightening, there are options to effectively address excess fat and saggy skin around the knees, restoring a more youthful appearance.
These treatments offer solutions to subtle yet visible age-related changes, making it easier to combat signs of ageing in areas that might otherwise go unnoticed but can still reveal one's age.
Problem 3: Saddlebags
No, these aren't the latest 'It' accessories! We're talking about excess fat deposits on your outer thighs.
Saddlebags, or excess fat on the outer thighs, are common in women with pear-shaped bodies and are often hereditary. Oestrogen promotes fat accumulation in areas like the thighs and abdomen, especially during pregnancy. This fat is difficult to lose and usually appears dimpled, making it challenging to wear certain styles.
For those struggling with saddlebags, targeted fat reduction options like liposuction can help achieve a more balanced silhouette.
Exercising alone may not be enough to slim your thighs
Dr Ivan Puah, medical director of Amaris B. Clinic, explains that genes and gender influence the size of your thighs. Exercise can only do so much, as evidenced by the number of marathon runners and athletes who still experience thighs with no gaps and/or saddlebags.
He says: "Women tend to have a higher percentage of fat distributed in the lower half of the body." We're naturally predisposed to having a heavier bottom – buttocks, thighs and hips – because it helps with childbearing. Still, we can't help but yearn for a more slender silhouette.
You see it in the countless workout videos on YouTube promising to slim and tone the thighs.
However, one of the biggest misconceptions is the notion that spot-targeted exercises, such as squats and lunges, can reduce the size of your thighs. "Do not confuse fat with muscles," says Dr Puah. "You can spot-train your muscles, so they are toned and strong, but you cannot spot-reduce thigh fat or target any specific body areas for fat loss when you exercise."
So how to lose fat thighs and get legs that we’ll love?
Want to show off your #legsfordays?
Vaser Liposuction to melt away stubborn fat
Introduced to Singapore by Dr. Ivan Puah in 2007, Vaser Liposuction is an advanced fat-removal technique that utilises ultrasound energy to break down stubborn fat deposits. The emulsified fat is then safely removed through vacuum suction, offering a more effective and smooth fat-removal process.
This procedure is renowned for removing up to 90% of pinchable fat in a single treatment. Unlike traditional methods, it specifically targets fat cells while minimising damage to surrounding tissues, blood vessels, and skin.
Vaser Liposuction permanently and safely removes unwanted fat, providing immediate results. It also helps stimulate collagen production, promoting tighter and firmer skin for long-lasting, natural-looking body contours.
"Most people may think that thigh liposuction is just bulk removal of fat — straightforward and easy to treat, but it is certainly not!" says Dr Ivan Puah, an MOH-accredited liposuction doctor in Singapore, and Chairman of the Lipo Peer Review Committee Singapore.
When performing inner thigh liposuction, the complex bone structure and muscle anatomy of the lower limbs can pose unique challenges. Dr. Puah takes a comprehensive approach to each procedure, carefully evaluating factors like cellulite, skin laxity, fat distribution, and overall body shape to achieve optimal results. Overlooking any of these details could compromise the outcome.
As a strong advocate of personalised body sculpting, Dr. Puah customises each liposuction plan based on the patient's unique body shape and clinical condition, steering away from a one-size-fits-all approach. He emphasises that successful liposuction is a blend of 70% art and 30% science. Mastery of medical knowledge alone is not enough—a skilled liposuction doctor must also possess a deep understanding of anatomy, a sharp aesthetic sense, and artistic precision with surgical tools.
By focusing on both the science of body contouring and the artistry of sculpting, Dr Puah delivers results that enhance natural body contours, ensuring each patient's unique shape is accentuated.
Dr Ivan Puah, liposuction doctor in Singapore
Liposuction is not a one-size-fits-all procedure; choosing the right doctor is essential for achieving the best results. Before considering liposuction in Singapore, it is important to select a credible, experienced, and Ministry of Health-accredited lipo doctor.
Dr Ivan Puah brings over 20 years of experience in performing FDA-approved injectables, skin lasers, and MOH-approved cosmetic surgeries such as liposuction and gynecomastia surgery. Trained in the USA in 4D Liposuction (Hi-Definition Lipo) and gynecomastia surgery, Dr Puah prioritises thorough patient consultations, genuinely listening to and addressing any concerns to ensure personalised, optimal outcomes.
Make a consultation for Thigh Liposuction in Singapore
If you've been struggling to lose fat in a specific area, such as your thighs, and have yet to achieve the desired results, we recommend scheduling a consultation to assess whether thigh liposuction is right for you. Dr. Ivan Puah, with his vast experience in body sculpting and liposuction procedures, will provide a personalised evaluation to determine the best approach for your goals.
To take the next step toward a more defined physique, contact us at 65364211 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Ivan Puah. We look forward to helping you achieve your body contouring goals.
