Stubborn knee fat? There are several solutions for that

No part of the body is immune to the effects of genetics, aging, gravity or weight fluctuations, including your knees. Excess fat, sagging skin or wrinkles – or all of them – can develop on and around the knees, affecting the overall contour of your legs and aging them.

Knees might not be the most obvious choice for cosmetic surgery, but more people are seeking out procedures targeting this often-overlooked area, driven by growing interest in anti-aging treatments and body contouring, especially as more people use GLP-1s to lose weight.

To learn more about how to get rid of stubborn knee fat and wrinkles, we reached out to ASPS Member Surgeon Smita Ramanadham, MD.

Is it excess fat or skin? Why it matters

There are multiple surgical and nonsurgical procedures that can be used to treat excess knee fat and skin, but the first step in your quest for the bee's knees should be a consultation with a plastic surgeon, according to Dr. Ramanadham.

"First and foremost, the plastic surgeon must identify if this is due to fat alone, skin alone or a combination of skin and fat," said Dr. Ramanadham. "This will determine the best treatment plan. It's also important to keep in mind that the knee is a major joint, and any excessive scarring in the area can limit its range of motion. Obtaining a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon can ensure you have safe and effective results."

Surgical and nonsurgical treatments for removing knee fat

Liposuction is the preferred method for removing fat from the knees – or any other parts of the body – because it's the most effective and offers the best results.

It is a surgical procedure that uses a thin hollow tube called a cannula inserted through tiny incisions to suction fat from the area. For the knees, it's typically performed under local anesthesia with mild sedation, and the incisions are small enough that they don't usually require stitches.

For those seeking minimally invasive options for knee fat, CoolSculpting and Kybella are also available, according to Ramanadham.

CoolSculpting is an FDA-approved fat-freezing technology used on several areas of the body and is often used off-label on the knees. Kybella is an injectable treatment that destroys fat cells. It's FDA-approved to remove submental fat ("double chin") but is used off-label to treat stubborn knee fat.

Both treatments can kill fat cells without surgery and offer the added benefit of no downtime, but there are a few key considerations to keep in mind when choosing the minimally invasive route.

"Given these are nonsurgical, the results in the best-case scenario can be up to a 20 percent reduction in fat with each session," said Dr. Ramanadham. "Typically, multiple sessions are required."

However, she was also quick to point out that "liposuction is the gold standard for fat removal."

Fat removal treatments offer permanent results, but they require you to maintain a stable weight.

"The fat removed is permanently gone," said Dr. Ramanadham. "However, remaining fat can increase or decrease in size with weight changes."

Skin removal options for sagging and wrinkly knees

Removal of excess knee skin, also known as a knee lift, is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and tightens the remaining skin to smooth out wrinkles. It's often performed alongside a thigh lift to smooth and contour the entire upper leg.

"If someone has loose or sagging skin, typically an excisional (removal) procedure is warranted," said Dr. Ramanadham. "This can be combined with a thigh lift with an extended scar, as typically the sagging skin is throughout the entire thigh."

When a few wrinkles are the only thing standing in the way of toned, youthful knees, the nonsurgical options for treating knee wrinkles are aplenty.

"For wrinkled skin, resurfacing treatments such as lasers, chemical peels or microneedling can improve the texture of the skin," said Dr. Ramanadham. "Additionally, Sculptra can also improve the crepey appearance by building collagen."

Resurfacing treatments work by triggering your body's natural healing response, which increases collagen and elastin production, resulting in smoother, tighter skin. Sculptra is an injectable dermal filler that also stimulates collagen production to gradually improve the appearance of lines and wrinkles.

Whether you're considering fat removal for your knees or looking for solutions for sagging or wrinkled knees, it's important to weigh the benefits and limitations of each option. Consulting with a board-certified plastic surgeon will help determine the best approach to help you achieve smoother, more youthful-looking knees.

To find a qualified plastic surgeon for any cosmetic or reconstructive procedure, consult a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. All ASPS members are board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, have completed an accredited plastic surgery training program, practice in accredited facilities and follow strict standards of safety and ethics. Find an ASPS member in your area.