Thigh Lift

About the Procedure

A thigh lift, also called a thighplasty, is a cosmetic surgery procedure for patients who would like to improve the aesthetics of their thighs by making them appear more lean, smooth and toned. As cosmetic procedures go, thighplasty is one of the more extensive in popular use today. The primary goal of the procedure is to remove a section of skin and then “pull” it tight.

The procedure is typically performed under general anesthesia and begins with one or more large incisions on the thigh. The first incision is made either vertically on the inner thigh, starting from the knee and leading up to the groin or horizontally along the groin crease. In some cases, the horizontal incision extends around to the outside of the hip. This first incision is all that is involved in a standard thighplasty, though depending on the individual's body mass and desired results a combination thighplasty may be performed, in which multiple incisions are made.

Once the incisions have been made a section of skin tissue is removed. If the primary incision was vertical (as in a vertical thighplasty) then a second vertical incision would be made to eliminate an entire strip of skin tissue from the thigh, effectively reducing the thigh's circumference. Then the incision would be sutured up, with extra support in the form of deeply rooted stiches, designed to help support the new shape of the thigh. Due to the reduced circumference of thigh skin, the remaining skin wraps more tightly around the muscle tissue below it, creating a firmer, smoother look.

In the case of the horizontal incision along the inside of the groin crease (as in an inner thighplasty) a second incision would be made underneath the primary one, eliminating enough skin to make the inner thigh “shorter” than it was. Then the surgeon literally lifts the remaining inner thigh skin up to the groin and re-attaches it with sutures. This is the most common iteration of thighplasty surgery.

It is very common for patients who have recently undergone liposuction in their thighs to then get a thighplasty. This is mainly because the dramatic reduction in fat leaves the thigh skin saggy. As a result, liposuction and thighplasty are often performed together.

What to Know Before the Procedure

The first thing to do before the procedure is decide what the exact aesthetic results are that you desire. Discuss this with your surgeon to determine if your goals are attainable and what kind of thighplasty will be required to attain them. Understand that the more complex and severe the thighplasty, the more recovery time and risk of complication there will be.

Liposuction is another possibility you should consider with your doctor. In some cases, the volume of fat tissue in the thigh makes it impossible to pull the skin tight enough to get the desired effects. In this case, one would undergo liposuction first, to remove excess fat from the region, and then have the thigh plasty done.

The largest challenge for the patient in this type of procedure is the healing process. There are certain types of medicine and other consumables that can aid or hinder the human body's healing capability. Consult with your doctor about what kinds of products to avoid in the weeks leading up to your surgery to make sure you are not ingesting anything that might interfere with the healing process. Some doctors may also prescribe mineral supplements to help augment your natural capacity to heal.

What to Know After the Procedure

You should expect there to be moderate swelling and bruising around the surgical area. Your doctor will supply you with heavy duty support hosiery to wear. This will help you achieve maximum skin compression and also help reduce the stress on the incision line, aiding healing and reducing your discomfort. Pain and discomfort is common in the first three days. Your doctor will most likely prescribe pain killers for you to better cope with it. Consult your doctor about the proper way to care for your incisions as they continue to heal and when certain activities can be resumed as this will vary greatly depending on the individual and the severity of the surgery.

Infection and poor healing are high risk side effects with this kind of procedure. Should you notice bleeding, discharge or a rise in your temperature, inform your doctor immediately so proper action can be taken. Have your doctor advise you on how best to move and position yourself so as to minimize any chance of the the primary incision re-opening. While this is rare, the results can be dangerous and should be avoided at all costs.

The time table for complete recovery after a successful thighplasty is 4-6 weeks.

If you Need to Travel Outside of your Local Hospital

Thighplasty is a fairly expensive form of surgery and that cost can be mitigated significantly with international travel. Furthermore, it is a process that many plastic surgeons are certified to perform so finding someone with the requisite experience should not be difficult either domestically or internationally. However, as with other extensive surgical procedures, the recovery associated with thighplasty makes immediate travel risky. Wherever you decide to have the procedure done you should allow no less than a week to heal afterwards before resuming travel so as not to risk any complication. Consult your doctor about the most reasonable time frame beforehand and make travel arrangements accordingly.