Could you benefit from thigh-lift surgery? Are your saggy thighs a problem area that diet and exercise don’t help?  Feeling self-conscious at the gym or pool? A thigh-lift procedure can create well-toned thighs and renew your self-confidence.

Could you benefit from thigh-lift surgery?

Fat thighs or sagging skin can be the result of weight loss from diet, pregnancy or aging. Thigh skin can lose it's elasticity thighs can lose their shape.

A Thighplasty removes excess skin and fat to reshape the thighs and refine the look of the upper thighs.

A thigh-lift may also be done after liposuction which removes some of the excess fat to smooth out the thighs. Liposuction does not remove excess skin but can be done before a thighplasty procedure as part of a two-part process to reduce your thighs. Liposuction is recommended for those who have excess fat deposits (commonly referred to as saddlebags). Your physician will discuss the option of having liposuction before your thigh-lift surgery to maximize the benefits to you.

Ready to look better in a bathing suit?  Could you benefit thigh-lift surgery? A Thighpasty may be the right answer for you.

Good candidates for a thigh lift

To find out whether or not you could benefit from a thigh-lift, you'll need a consultation with a qualified surgeon.

  • General Health: In general, women who are in good overall health and who are at or near their goal weight may be suitable for this type of surgery. Being a non-smoker is beneficial too.
  • Weight: Planning on losing more weight? Consider postponing the surgery until you have achieved your weight loss goals.
  • Pregnancy: It you are considering having children, it may be best to postpone thigh surgery so that you maximize the beneficial results of the surgery.

Of course, having realistic goals about what a thigh lift can achieve for you is important to a successful outcome. Perhaps it will restore your confidence while enhancing your appearance. Toned legs and thighs can be the start of a new and improved you.

Before having thigh reshaping surgery

Once you have confirmed that you can benefit from thigh-lift surgery you will select a physician to conduct your thighplasty surgery and your doctor will give you specific steps to prepare.  Don’t worry - throughout the process, your medical consultant will offer you guidance on the types of questions to ask and information to gather so that you remain informed and confident about your decision.

While each person is different, often patients are told to moderate their behaviors in several ways.

  • Weight: Planning to lose more weight before having the surgery? Wait until you have achieved your weight loss goals before scheduling the procedure to maximize the benefits.
  • Smoking: Quitting smoking before and after the surgery is almost always required because smoking restricts the amount of oxygen that is used by muscles to repair and heal.  If you can’t completely quit for two or more weeks before or after the surgery, you may not be a good candidate for a thigh-lift.
  • Pregnancy: If you would like to be pregnant in the future, it may be best to postpone a thigh-lift procedure as pregnancy can undo the benefits of surgery. When considering whether you could benefit from thigh-lift surgery keep in mind that it works best for women who no longer want to have children.
  • Medications: You must tell your doctor about all the prescription and herbal remedies you are taking. You may have to refrain from taking certain supplements or have your prescription changed. Your doctor will advise you accordingly but be sure to provide a full and complete medical history including your current situation to prepare for your upcoming surgery.

Surgical Options

There are two different types of thigh lift options depending on where the excess skin and fat is located.

  • Medial thigh-lift: This procedure focuses on the inner thigh where the thigh and pubic area meet.
  • Lateral thigh-lift that concentrates on the front and outside of the leg. The surgical procedure is similar for both options.

Surgical Overview

Thigh-lift surgery is typically done on an inpatient basis at a hospital or clinic. If only a small amount of fat or skin is to be removed it may be done on an outpatient basis.

  • Anesthesia: First, the doctor administers either intravenous anesthesia which numbs the pain in a localized area and induces twilight sleep or general anesthesia. The procedure takes up to three hours depending on the amount of skin and fat to be removed.
  • Incisions: Next, your surgeon will make incisions in the areas where the scar can best be hidden after surgery.  The length of the incisions depends on the amount of excess skin and fat to be removed. The more skin that is removed, the longer the incision. The excess skin is removed, and the remaining skin will be tightened and draped to reshape your thighs.
  • Sutures: The incisions are then closed with sutures.  The surgical area will be bandaged, and compression garments fitted.  It will be your responsibility to care for the bandage and wear the compression garment after surgery by following your physician’s instructions.
  • Leaving hospital: You will remain in the clinic or hospital until the anesthesia wears off, and you are able to be discharged. It is not unusual for your doctor to recommend or you may choose to stay overnight in the hospital or clinic for one or two days. Your doctor will decide when you will be discharged. Little or no stress should be put on the surgical areas to allow the healing process to begin.

When you leave hospital, arrangements will be made to get you back home, or to your hotel. You should not plan to drive yourself.

After care will increase the benefits of thigh-surgery

After the procedure, your movement and physical exercise will be severely limited during the recovery and healing process. Your doctor will provide instructions about what you can and cannot do after the surgery.

  • Time off work:  When deciding on if you could benefit from thigh-lift surgery, think about whether you can take time off from work – anywhere from two to four weeks, as your doctor advises. Having a family member or friend travel with you or stay with you for several days will help the transition as you heal and regain movement and motion.
  • Scaring: It is true that the procedure will leave a scar, but a skilled surgeon will attempt to locate the scar in an area that will be hidden by underwear or bathing suits.
  • Discomfort: After surgery you will experience swelling and bruising for up to four weeks, and pain medication will be prescribed by your doctor.
  • Suture Removal: Sutures will be removed within seven to ten days after the procedure, giving the doctor an opportunity to examine you to make sure you are healing properly.
  • Weight Management: The results should be long lasting if you refrain from excessive weight gain. After a few weeks you will be admiring your thinner thighs in the mirror.

Possible Risks and Complications

Even though thigh-lift surgery is a common cosmetic treatment, it is still surgery and carries with it risks and possible complications.

While your surgeon will discuss your risks with you, here are some common problems that can occur:

  • Anesthesia risks
  • Poor wound healing
  • Bleeding Infection
  • Fluid accumulation
  • Major wound separation
  • Asymmetry
  • Persistent pain
  • Skin discoloration and/or swelling
  • Sutures may spontaneously surface through the skin, become visible or produce irritation that require removal
  • Scarring
  • Numbness or other changes in skin sensation
  • Recurrent looseness of skin

Many women are concerned about the scar resulting from the surgery. A skilled physician may be able to hide the scar in an existing scar from a prior surgery or place it in an area that would be hidden by underwear or a bathing suit. Scars will fade over time but never completely disappear.  Discuss your concerns with your surgeon.

Your doctor will advise you of general risk factors as well as those related to you and your health profile. You can minimize complications by following the advice of your surgeon, both before and after your abdominoplasty surgery.

Recovery Time

Recovery time varies depending on the patient and your surgeon will give you post-operative recovery instructions.  After several days of bed rest, you will need to limit physical exercise for a number of weeks. Most certainly you will experience swelling, bruising and numbness.

It may take several months for your body to completely heal even though the results of the surgery will be visible almost immediately.  Return to your level of normal activity gradually per your doctor’s instructions. Trying to do too much too quickly can result in delayed healing or a more serious complication.

Restrictions

Your body will need time to recover and heal, and vigorous exercise should be avoided. Post-surgery instructions will include guidelines about limitations on physical exercise. Your doctor will be provide a schedule for follow up visits at your destination, or with your doctor at home.

Smoking reduces the amount of oxygen in the body which can increase the risk of infection. If you are a smoker, inform your doctor so that he or she can advise you as to the time when you should refrain from smoking before and after surgery. Or perhaps this surgery is the reason to give up smoking completely!

Remember to Follow Your Doctor’s Orders!

To reduce the unpleasant aftereffects of the surgery, follow your doctor’s recommendations closely and notify your healthcare provider if you experience any signs of infection or other health problems.

This information does not take the place of medical advice given by your doctor. This advice provided for general informational purposes only. Discuss the specific details of your treatment with your physician.

Take the next step with us

Could you benefit from thigh-lift surgery? Ready to talk with a doctor about scheduling your appointment?Need more information? Contact our customer care team, or search for available thigh-lift packages on the Taqtik Marketplace today.