Thigh Lift
Thighplasty, most commonly referred to as a thigh lift, is a cosmetic procedure that aims to remove surplus fat and skin from the outer or inner thighs. The procedure is most commonly undertaken by those that have failed to remove surplus tissue from their upper thighs via exercising and dieting, to no avail. Moreover, some patients undergo a thigh lift when they have already lost significant amounts of weight.
Ultimately, if you are looking to regain the thigh contours of more youthful times, a thigh lift might be able to assist. If you are considering a thigh lift, or simply want to find out how it works, we would suggest you first read our guide. Whilst there may be a range of motivating reasons why you might be looking to undergo a thigh lift, we have detailed some of the most common factors below.
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- You currently feel self-conscious about your thighs and as such, you want to start feeling good about yourself, with respect to your body.
- As you currently have heavy or over-sized thighs, some of your clothes do not fit you properly
- Your thighs are beginning to look sagged, which has been made worse by loose skin or cellulite. This is most commonly due to aging.
- You have recently engaged in a successful exercise/diet program and have lost significant weight. Therefore, you now want to improve your thighs to reflect the rest of your body.
Ultimately, you will need to be in good health and have realistic expectations.
You will need to be in good health and have realistic expectations
Overview
Before you go through with a thigh lift procedure, you will need to meet with a qualified plastic surgeon for a comprehensive consultation period. Initially, the surgeon will ask you a range of questions to ascertain your over-arching goals, as well as your expectations from the procedure.
Next, the surgeon will then proceed to enquire about your medical history. This will include any pre-existing conditions, as well as any medications that you are currently taking. Moreover, the surgeon will also need to be made aware of any herbal supplements or vitamins that you take, as well as understanding what your relationship with alcohol and tobacco is.
Once your general health has been ascertained, the surgeon will then proceed to conduct a basic physical examination. This will include taking measurements, and potentially some photographs to help with pre-procedural planning. After the physical examination, the surgeon will then discuss the best options that are available to you. They will also give you a full breakdown of what the end-to-end procedure entails, as well as any associated risks. Finally, you will get a chance to ask any questions or concerns that you may have.
Thigh lift procedure
In most cases, there are two approaches to the thigh lift surgery procedure. Firstly, if opting for the inner thighs, this is known as the medial. In effect, the surplus skin and fat is removed via an incision that is made in the groin area, moving to the inner thigh.
Although not always necessary, some patients may require an element of liposuction in order to support the inner thigh lift process. When it comes to recontouring the inner thigh, this is done from the groin area, to the knee. Once the procedural steps have been completed, the surgeon will then move on to the other thigh.
The second option is that of the outer thigh lift, which is known as a Lateral. This is slightly more complex than an inner thigh lift. In order to remove additional tissue from the affect area, recontouring also covers the buttocks area.
Thigh lift recovery
Once the surgeon has completed the thigh light procedure, they will then proceed to apply bandages or dressing to your incisions. In order to minimalize swelling, as well as support the new contour of your thighs, a garment is sometimes used. If the surgeon deems it necessary, they may decide to place a small tube under the skin, with the view of draining surplus fluid. Due to the nature of the procedure, it is best that you get somebody to drive you home from the practice
Moreover, it is highly recommended that you take at least 1 week off from work so that you can concentrate on your recovery. Whilst at home, make sure that you remain in a reclining position. In terms of swelling and bruising, this resolves itself after about a month. It is importantly to note that whilst you will be able to return to work after 7-10 days of recovering, it can take up to 4-6 months before you are able to resume normal activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions we receive from potential candidates. If we have failed to answer a specific question or concern that you might have, please feel free to contact the practice.
Will a thigh lift give me scars?
One of the most common risks associated with a thigh lift is the resulting scars. If opting for an inner thigh lift, the incisions are made to the groin area. As such, this is where the scars will develop. An outer thigh lift extends further down the groin, usually around the hip.
However, if more extensive work is required, then a fold incision around the buttocks might be required. Ultimately, the plastic surgeon will attempt to ensure that your scars are hidden when clothes are worn.
When will I see results from a thigh lift?
Whilst the vast majority of patients notice visible results immediately after surgery, the full scope of results may take a few weeks to develop. It is important to note that whilst thigh lift results are long-lasting, this is on the proviso that you maintain a healthy weight. This can be achieved by engaging in a regular exercise plan, alongside a healthy diet.
What are the risks associated with a thigh lift?
Whilst a full breakdown of the underlying risks associated with a thigh lift will be explained to you in more detail during your consultation, we have listed some of the most common below.
- Blood clots
- Numbness and pain sensations of the skin
- Swelling around the incision sites
- Legs can begin to accumulate fluid
- Longer than expected wound healing Visible scarring
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