About Thigh Lift Procedure
A thigh lift reshapes and tightens the inner thighs by pulling the inner thigh upward and inward and removing excess skin. It is sometimes combined with inner thigh liposuction if there is also fat that needs to be removed to create a better shape.
Liposuction in this thigh area only reduces the pinch of fat under the skin – it does not tighten or pull the skin. Many patients who seek a thigh lift have had significant weight loss resulting in excess skin. Some patients had excess inner thigh skin after over-aggressive liposuction in the past.
The extent of the surgery varies greatly with the patient’s anatomy. During your consultation, our surgeon consultants will assess your anatomy and develop a customized plan for your Thigh Lift at the AJ Plastic Surgery Centre.
- Before Procedure
- During Procedure
- Results & Recovery
Good to Know Before Thigh Lift
Patients on a weight-loss plan should be close to their goal weight before having thigh lift surgery. For best long-term results it is advisable that weight is stable after surgery (without a lot of yo-yo-ing up and down). As we’ve mentioned before, plastic surgery is not an exact science. Every person has a unique anatomy and their own idea of what their body goals should be. This is why consultations are vital so we can work together to create the best possible plan, customized for your personal needs and goals.
We will do a detailed consultation, take a complete medical history and conduct a careful examination and develop a customized plan based on your anatomy as well as your aesthetic goals. We consider age, overall health, emotional well-being, as well as expectations for surgery when evaluating a candidate for this procedure. Patients who are obese (BMI 30 or greater) or who smoke have a significantly higher risk of wound healing problems.
We require patients to have stopped smoking for anywhere from 2 months to a year depending on their smoking history before having surgery. To minimize the possibility of excess bleeding, you will need to avoid taking drugs containing aspirin, anti-inflammatories, alcohol, or herbal medications two weeks before surgery. You will receive a complete list of medications to avoid and detailed instructions before surgery. We consider the preparation before surgery and your understanding of how to take care of yourself critical to having the best possible results so we will walk you through each part of the process every step of the way.
What Happens During Procedure
In the pre-op area, we will mark you with a surgical pen so you will know exactly where the incision will be made. The front part of the incision is hidden in the groin crease and then a vertical part is made down the thigh. We hide the incision just slightly behind the midline so it is barely visible when looking from the front and the back. How long the incision travels down your leg depends on how much skin needs to be removed.
For your comfort and safety, the thigh lift will be performed under general anesthesia. We believe that every part of the surgical team is essential to having a perfect and smooth surgery, so every part of AJ Plastic Surgery Centre extended team is focused during surgery and pays attention to every detail. We will all ensure that as you enter the operating room and are gently placed under anesthesia you will feel relaxed, calm, and excited.
During the operation, we will all be focused on keeping you warm, comfortable, and cared for. During the surgery, we are gentle and respectful and ensure a positive and calm environment around you. We will also place a numbing solution in your thighs so you will not feel pain even though you are under anesthesia.
The surgery may take 4-7 hours depending on complexity and how much skin you need to be removed or if any additional procedures are done at the same time. If liposuction is to be performed, it will be done first. Then, we will make the thigh lift incision (it looks like the number 7 where the front part of the 7 is hidden in the groin crease).
The tissues are carefully elevated, the amount of skin that can be removed is carefully measured, and the flap is tailored to create the best possible shape. We constantly compare both legs with each other to create as much symmetry as possible. We also have several other technical details that we perform to create a thin, nearly invisible low scar. We believe it is important to create the best possible result and incision without any bunching, irregularities, or step-offs. We take extreme pride in our attention to detail with every single step of this surgery.
Results & Recovery: What to Expect
We have developed a gentle technique that has minimal pain and a quick recovery. You will spend the first night at a plastic surgery after-care facility with nursing. They will pick you up from the AJ Plastic Surgery Centre. After surgery, your thighs will feel tight but should not be painful. If you do have discomfort, Tylenol is usually all that’s needed. We will give you a prescription for a few pain pills to have in case you need them, but they are usually not necessary.
We encourage patients to stick to Tylenol instead of the prescription pain medication since those pills often create constipation and bloating. You will need to walk very carefully especially the first 1-2 weeks. There is usually swelling of the tissues for a few weeks after surgery. You will wear a compression garment to support your thighs for 6-8 weeks after surgery. This is something we will measure and provide for you. Most of our patients feel almost back to normal at around 1 week after their surgery.
Allow at least 2 weeks to recuperate before returning to work. If you are a patient from out of town, you will need to stay in town for at least 2 weeks after surgery. Wait at least 6 weeks to start any strenuous exercise and 6 weeks to do exercises. Thigh lift scars take about 12 months to fade. You will start scar treatments at around 2 weeks after surgery. We will discuss scar care in detail with you and also provide you with scar medications and products.
Thigh lift is an extremely life-changing surgery. Our patients feel that they can finally fit into clothes that they like without the extra hanging skin getting in the way. For patients who we are able to do a short scar thigh lift for, they are able to wear shorts. Also, many patients are able to exercise better and have increased comfort without all the rubbing that the excess fat or skin created between their legs.