WHY IS IT PERFORMED?
Thigh lift surgery also called a “thighplasty”, is a surgical procedure that aims to smooth and reshape the upper thighs by removing loose skin and/or fat. This procedure helps patients achieve firmer and more aesthetically pleasing thighs. It is growing in popularity especially among those who have lost substantial amounts of weight and have loose skin on their thighs that impedes their mobility or they find unattractive.INVOLVED RISKS:
Seroma: This is a collection of fluid that may build up under the skin’s surface. This often occurs close to the incision site, usually underneath it. To prevent this happening, you may have a small drain left under the skin to remove this fluid. This should be removed before you go home.
Some seromas resolve by themselves over time. However, if you develop a large seroma, your surgeon may need to drain it.
Scarring: As a thigh lift is a surgical procedure, it will inevitably leave a scar. Our surgeon will try and make this as discreet as possible.
Bruising & swelling: After your thigh lift, you will have some bruising and swelling on the thighs. This is normal and may last around two to three weeks. You may also find that your feet and calves swell after the procedure. This should also clear within two to three weeks.
Changes in skin sensation: In a thigh lift, your surgeon removes any excess skin and fat and then tightens the underlying supportive tissue. Because of this re-positioning of the thigh tissue, the nerves that supply your legs and feet may be damaged. Therefore, you may feel some altered sensation in these areas in the days after your surgery. The altered sensations may include an increase or decrease in sensitivity, or a burning or tingling sensation. This should resolve within a few months of the procedure but may become permanent.
HOW THE PROCEDURE IS PERFORMED? (TECHNIQUE)
There are many types of thigh lifts, differentiated by the size and shape of the incision used to remove excess skin, fat, and tissue. Your plastic surgeon will evaluate your candidacy for each of these types of thigh lifts and recommend which may suit your needs and preferences.
Inner Thigh Lift
This type of thigh lift targets the inner thigh. This procedure helps people who have trouble eliminating excess fat from this area of the body through diet and exercise. An inner thigh lift may also be used to address reduced skin elasticity caused by the aging process or extreme weight loss. During an inner thigh lift, our plastic surgeon will make an incision at the junction where the thigh meets the pubic area. This allows him to access the underlying tissues while making the most discreet incision possible, since the resulting scar can easily be hidden by underwear. He will remove a wedge of skin and possibly fat from the region and tighten the remaining skin to provide improved leg contours.
Mini Thigh Lift
If you only experience sagging tissue in the upper third of the leg, your may qualify for a mini thigh lift, a modification of the inner thigh lift technique that involves only a short scar in the groin area. While this technique offers less dramatic results, it produces only minimal scarring and typically requires a shorter recovery period.
Bilateral Thigh Lift
The bilateral thigh lift procedure, sometimes referred to as an “outer thigh lift,” is designed to tighten skin on the front and outside of the leg. During a bilateral thigh lift, our surgeon will make an incision at the top of the leg where the lower edge of a bikini bottom or pair of underwear would be, creating a “V” shape. Depending on your needs, this incision may wrap around to your hip or buttocks area. The surgeon will remove a certain amount of skin, depending on your needs and preferences, before pulling the remaining skin up and attaching it to the same area so that it is smooth. In this way, a bilateral thigh lift serves to tighten skin along both the right and left side of the leg. This procedure is especially helpful to those who have excess skin after extreme weight loss, since it can be used to remove larger amounts of tissue than other techniques. This technique can also help to lift your buttocks along with your thighs.
Medial Thigh Lift
A medial thigh lift reduces excess skin and fat on the upper portion of the inner thigh. It is designed for patients who are dissatisfied with the shape of their legs or who would like to remove excess skin after extreme weight loss. During a medial thigh lift procedure, our plastic surgeon will make an incision in the groin, similar to the inner thigh lift, extending to the back of the crease of the buttock or, in some cases, to the hip region. A medial thigh lift might also include vertical scars extending down the legs from the groin for greater access to underlying tissue. He will lift the skin, removing excess skin and fat to improve the shape of the leg and tighten the thigh.
You and our team of plastic surgeons will discuss which of the techniques would work best for your particular medical needs, body shape, and desired results, customizing your thigh lift according to your preferences.
WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER SURGERY:
A thigh lift aims to smoothen and reshape the inner and outer thighs by removing excess skin and fat in these areas. The procedure targets the stubborn fat that healthy eating and exercising is unable to remove. A thigh lift can, therefore, help you achieve your ideal body goal.
It is important to keep in mind that a thighplasty is not a procedure that can aid weight loss. Our surgeons strongly advise that you reach a stable weight before you have your surgery.
HOW IS THE RECOVERY?
The first 24 hours of recovery are often the most difficult. You should expect to feel some pain and swelling and may notice bruising. Drains may be placed at the incision sites to help blood and fluid escape the tissues and reduce swelling. Pain medication will be prescribed to help reduce post-surgical pain and discomfort. You should wear compression garments as instructed to further reduce swelling and discomfort as well as support the tissues as they heal.
During the first 24 hours, it will be difficult to walk. Our specialized nurses will help you when needed. Bed rest is also recommended for the first few days of recovery. You will be encouraged to take short, light walks, as walking is beneficial to the healing process.
Pain should continue to subside and may be gone by weeks two and three and any bruising should begin to fade. Swelling will likely remain but should be decreasing on a daily basis.
By two to three weeks after surgery, you will be recovered enough to return to work and resume light exercise but should continue to avoid strenuous activity or vigorous exercise.
