Certain areas of the body tend to resist even the most dedicated efforts to keep them trim and toned. For many women, thighs are one of the prime trouble spots. People self-conscious about “thunder thighs” avoid wearing shorts and skirts, and even pass on certain sports such as swimming so they don’t have to bare their upper legs.
For individuals concerned about the appearance of their thighs, the battle of the bulge may be waged on a variety of fronts. Let’s take a look at 3 ways — from exercise to liposuction at St. Louis Plastic Surgery — to address those concerns:
- Do your squats: No doubt you’re familiar with the idea that exercise and diet are important for maintaining a toned, fit body. That includes the thighs, although some people are genetically predisposed to having thicker thighs. But even if you undergo the nonsurgical or surgical procedures discussed next, pursuing an active and healthy lifestyle remains a key to looking — and feeling — your best. Here are some things you can do on your own:
- Air squats to tone your upper legs and burn fat
- Side lunges to engage your upper leg muscles in a different way than squats
- Walking up steep hills to engage both the quads and hamstrings
- Eating lean protein and whole grains, and avoiding sugary foods
- Get some noninvasive help: Squats and lunges aren’t enough for some patients. The thighs and hips can still accumulate pockets of fat that no amount of exercise or dieting will address. That’s where a nonsurgical fat reduction procedure such as CoolSculpting® at our St. Louis practice can help. This procedure targets fat cells with cold temperatures, but doesn’t damage the skin or surrounding tissues. There’s no downtime following the treatment, which typically takes about 30 minutes for each leg.
Watch this video to see how you can read, use your smartphone, or even nap during the procedure.
- Call in the doctors: At some point, cosmetic surgery such as liposuction or a thigh lift may be the best approach to getting your desired results. Liposuction produces more dramatic results than CoolSculpting, but involves some recovery time. It’s best for patients with skin that retains most of its elasticity, so that it can shrink back to fit the thighs’ new contours. Patients with excess skin and fat may be better served by a thigh lift, which can be combined with a buttock lift in certain cases.
Each patient’s body is unique, and the best approach for addressing one person’s concerns might not be as effective for another person. Scheduling a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon is the best, safest way to learn about your options.
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