Thigh lift

What Is Thigh Lift Surgery?

Thigh lift surgery is a type of body contouring and is typically for those with loose skin and fat in the inner thighs. Thigh lift is often performed in patients who have lost a lot of weight and have been left with saggy skin in the inner thighs. Thigh lift surgery can be combined with liposuction to remove excess fat and skin in the thighs.

What Happens During Thigh Lift Surgery?

Thigh lift surgery is performed under general anesthetic and takes about 3 hours. The process usually involves removing a long ellipse of skin and fat from the inner side of the thigh, between the groin and the knee. Depending on your own individual circumstances, the skin removal may only involve the upper thigh and groin, or the entire inner thigh extending into the groin. The doctor will discuss the exact pattern of skin removal that you require before your surgery and carefully explain the scars that will result. Once the loose skin and fat has been removed, the remaining skin is tightened to create a smoother, slimmer look. The incision is closed using special stitches which are hidden under the skin. Finally, the doctor will apply dressings to your thighs and place you in a compression garment to help reduce swelling.

Are There Any Potential Risks From Thigh Lift Surgery?

As with any surgery, there are some potential risks from thigh lift surgery. Some bruising and swelling are normal after surgery. Less frequent complications include infection, bleeding, wound breakdown, stretched or thickened scars, nerve injury, deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. These will all be discussed with the doctor before you undergo the procedure.

What Happens After Thigh Lift Surgery?

After your thigh lift surgery, you will normally stay in hospital overnight so our team can ensure you are comfortable and there are no problems with the wounds. Most patients go home the next day and we ask you to take plenty of rest to allow your thighs to heal. Depending on your job, you may be advised not to return to work for 2 to 4 weeks (especially if your job involves manual work). Driving is best avoided for 3 weeks and you won’t be able to return to the gym for 6 weeks after thigh lift surgery.

The doctor will check on your progress at regular follow up appointments, usually after 1 week, 2 weeks, 2 months and 6 months.

What are the types of the incisions of a thigh lift ?

MEDIAL THIGH LIFT

The doctor performs the “mini-thigh lift” by making an incision at your inseam and groin area. Sometimes the incision will extend around the back of the thigh. This procedure is for removing sagging skin between the legs.

LATERAL THIGH LIFT

In this version of the procedure, the doctor cuts along the outer thighs to remove the “saddlebags” that sometimes hang from the hips and sag down the legs. This surgery can be paired with complementary procedures for comprehensive results, discussed in the next section.

SPIRAL THIGH LIFT

If it is the back of the legs and buttocks you wish to target, the incision for the spiral thigh lift is focused on the posterior side. The doctors knifework begins at the gluteal fold under the buttocks.

With the incisions made, the rest of the doctor’s work entails lifting, smoothing and removing skin until he judges that your youthful contours have been restored. He employs deep sutures to close the wound. This will encourage safe healing as your fabulous final results take shape over the next month and a half. 

What is the recovery time for a thighplasty ?

You will need to recuperate between one and two weeks before returning to light work. Swelling and bruising may last for several weeks. The thigh lift is a significant surgery, so do not push yourself too soon. You will want to avoid putting stress on your incisions as this presents the risk of wound separation.