A thigh lift is done to remove excess skin from the thigh and buttock area. This sagging of skin is usually caused by weight loss or ageing. After patients have lost a lot of weight, having this surgery performed is like the "icing on the cake".

Candidacy

1. If you have experienced a loss of skin elasticity of the thigh, hip, or buttock areas.
2. If your skin area is saggy, has an "orange peel," flabby and/or dimpled appearance.
3. If your thigh appearance improves dramatically when you lift the lax skin.
4. If you are self-conscious about your lower body appearance.

Intended Results

1. Tighter, more attractive thigh and buttock skin.
2. Improved contours.
3. Decreased irregularities in skin surface.

Types of thighplasty

The different types of thigh lift surgery vary according to the path and the pattern of the incisions and, of course, the area to be treated. Your doctor will help you select the best option to reach your expectations.

1. Inner thigh lift is designed to restore the elasticity of the inner thigh skin. The surgeon makes an incision at the junction of the thigh and the pubic area and removes a wedge-shaped piece of skin and, if necessary, fat. Later these incisions can discreetly be hidden beneath a bathing suit or underwear. The cut is then closed and the skin is tightened to achieve enhanced skin elasticity and improve thigh contour. Inner thigh lift, the most popular type of thigh lifting, is a surgery of choice for those who are dealing with excess fat in this area or want to tighten their skin after an extreme weight loss. Thigh liposuction or buttock lift surgery may be performed in combination with the procedure.
2. Bilateral thigh lift focuses on firming the skin from the outside to the front of the thigh. The incision is made at the top of the leg and its path follows the line where the lower edge of underwear is likely to be. After removing excess tissues, the remaining skin is lifted and attached to its new place. Bilateral thigh lift is recommended for men and women who have to face droopiness of their skin after losing a huge amount of weight. The operation allows liposuction or buttock lift to be carried out at the same time.
3. Medial thigh lift improves the laxity of the upper part of the inner thigh. The incision is in the groin crease and below the buttock folds. Excess skin and fat is removed by lifting and tightening the skin, thus improving the shape of the thighs and smoothing the skin surface. Patients who want to enhance the contour of their legs or get rid of sagging skin caused by a weight loss tend to choose this type of thigh lifting
4. Spiral thighplasty is a newer technique and combines medial thigh lift with a buttock lift and gluteal crease recontouring. It concentrates on the inner, outer, front and back region of the thighs. The incision is made in the groin crease and goes beyond the buttock fold

Post-operative preparation

Your doctor will give you specific instructions to prepare for surgery but here are some general guidelines

1. Avoid Aspirin, any Aspirin containing medication or any other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory for two weeks prior to treatment. Because Aspirin thins the blood, it can interfere with normal blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding and bruising.
2. Smoking inhibits the healing process, so stop smoking before your procedure and if you start again, make sure it is after you are completely healed.
3. Avoid drinking alcohol a few days before your surgery.
4. Make sure to follow any fasting instructions the night before and morning of your surgery. Your doctor may insist on an empty stomach depending on the type of anesthesia.

Recovery

The patient is placed in a compression garment (similar to a long-line elastic support girdle) at the end of surgery to reduce swelling and assist in the natural shrinking and tightening of the skin.

Smaller thigh lifts: Initial discomfort is usually easily controlled with prescription pain medication.

Larger thigh lifts: One or two nights care in a skilled nursing facility or hospital are usually required. This allows for pain injections, intravenous catheters, etc.

Bruising and swelling usually subside within a month, strenuous activities are usually possible in 6 weeks and almost all symptoms are gone in 4 to 6 months.

Resumption of physical activities

No work or driving for 2 weeks. No exercise for 4 weeks.

After the surgery

The patient should plan on taking at least 3 weeks off work. You will feel tired and sore for 3 to 7 days after surgery. A compression garment is worn continuously for 2 to 3 weeks, and then at night for a further 2 to 3 weeks. This will help define the new contour of your thighs.

Activities that increase your heart rate above 100 beats per minute for 3 weeks are not recommended.

Although most bruising and swelling will disappear within 3 weeks, some swelling may remain for 6 months and up to a year. The extent of the post-operative swelling and bruising is dependent on whether you tend to bruise or swell easily. The amount you can expect varies for each individual but past surgeries or injuries should be a good indication. Keep your head elevated, above the level of your heart, when lying down. Applying cold compresses, or ice packs will reduce swelling and relieve discomfort. Many patients use a water-tight plastic sandwich bag filled with frozen berries or peas. Regular icing is the key to relieving the swelling.

For the first week following surgery, you will be allowed light activity but you must avoid bending or lifting. Although you may not feel like it, you should try to walk as soon as possible after a thigh lift to reduce swelling and prevent blood clots from forming in your legs. While each case is individual, thigh lift recovery generally takes one to two weeks; you can usually return to work in a couple of weeks, and resume vigorous exercise or contact sports in approximately four to six weeks. Recovering individual and varies from person to person.

Frequently asked questions?

What to expect after surgery?

Patients may spend their first night in an overnight care facility. Bruising and swelling are to be expected as well as a “tight” feeling in the thighs.

Risks and complications

Although complications resulting from thighplasty are rare, it is important to be advised of the potential risks and complications, which can include infection, fluid accumulation, blood clots, and changes in skin sensation, hematoma or unfavorable scarring. Extensive precautions are taken before, during and after your procedure to help ensure a successful surgery and a desired result.

Benefits of a thigh lift

1. Benefits of a thigh lift are not only cosmetic; It also relieves rashes on the undersurface of thighs due to moisture.
2. Operations for thigh lift are normally performed in extreme cases where massive amounts of weight have been lost. The thigh lift further adds to the weight loss and gives you smooth, firm and shapely thighs that you can be very proud of when wearing a bathing suit.
3. A thigh lift also removes the dimpled look due to cellulite.