A thigh lift, also known as a thighplasty, is designed to remove excess fat and skin from your inner and outer thighs. This is an excellent option for people who have had substantial weight loss or for people for whom exercise and dieting have not proven effective in removing excess tissue in the upper thighs. A thigh lift can be performed in conjunction with liposuction to give you the contouring you desire.
You can come in for a thigh lift if:
- You want better contours as well as a firmer look for your thighs.
- You have experienced massive weight loss or undergone bariatric surgery.
- You are not happy about all the loose skin on your inner thighs.
- You have difficulty finding comfortable clothing because of disproportionate thighs.
How Is the Procedure Performed?
Medial Thigh Lift
The surgeon makes an incision in the groin area and removes any excess skin and fat from the inner thigh. Depending on your individual requirements, it may or may not involve liposuction to remove excess fat. The surgeon will carefully recontour the area starting from the groin and ending at the knee and repeat it for the outer thigh.
Lateral Thigh Lift
This procedure is more complex, as considerably more tissue is removed and the buttocks also have to be recontoured along with the outer thigh. Patients who undergo this procedure must maintain their weight after the surgery.
Recovery Process
Right after the surgery, your new, smooth contours will be visible. There will be a small period of bruising, soreness, and swelling. If the pain is more than mild or if it lasts for a long time, contact your surgeon, who will be able to tell you whether it is normal or the sign of a problem.
You will need to thoroughly follow the post-operative instructions provided by your surgeon. This will include information on taking care of the drains, wearing compression garments, taking antibiotics if needed, and the type and amount of activity that is safe for the first few weeks.
Your surgeon will give you a detailed list of symptoms that are normal and will tell you the potential signs of a complication. Bear in mind that the recovery time varies from individual to individual, since the healing depends on the body, the extent of surgical modification, and the quality of post-operative care.
Contact Us to Set Up an Appointment
If there are any specific risks you might have due to your medical history, your surgeon will discuss them with you during the consultation. You should also make it a point to return to your plastic surgeon if you notice any changes.
To get started with your thigh lift surgery, contact the office of highly skilled cosmetic surgeon John D. Rachel, MD, FACS and arrange an appointment. Dr. Rachel has performed a wide variety of cosmetic procedure for numerous satisfied patients. He will be happy to answer your questions during an informative consultation and will create a surgical plan for your procedure.