What Is a Thigh Lift?
Thigh lift surgery is done to trim any extra skin or fat from the thighs to tighten the drooping and loose skin. Thigh lift helps to get younger and firmer thighs and achieve a more proportionate and toned body. It helps in better clothing and boosts the confidence and self-image of an individual.
Why Is a Thigh Lift Surgery Done?
A thigh lift can be the best option if loose, flabby skin on thighs does not get better with diet or exercise. A thigh lift is an excellent option for
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Individuals with significant weight loss.
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The presence of unsightly loose, sagging skin is present around the thighs.
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Loose skin, cellulite, and sagging thighs due to aging.
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Individuals with thick and broad thighs have difficulty wearing clothes.
How to Choose a Plastic Surgeon for a Thigh Lift?
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A plastic surgeon usually performs thigh lifts.
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Always select a certified surgeon.
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Make sure the surgeon is a certified member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and has at least six years of surgical and three years of plastic surgery experience.
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By choosing a certified plastic surgeon, the patient is assured of results.
What Are the Pre-operative Preparations for Thigh Lift?
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Before performing the surgery, a plastic surgeon will evaluate the patient.
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Patients' overall health and medical history are checked thoroughly to rule out systemic illness and drug allergies.
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Patients are advised to stop certain medications such as blood thinners like Aspirin, Clopidogrel, and anti-inflammatory drugs before the surgery to prevent excess bleeding.
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Habits such as smoking should be avoided one week before and after surgery until complete healing is achieved.
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Surgeons may take pre-operative photographs to examine the thighs and improve the areas which require treatment.
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Also, pre-operative photographs help to evaluate the difference in the appearance of the thighs after the surgery.
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Surgeons will discuss different thigh lift surgeries, procedures, and the outcome of the results.
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Surgeons also will brief about visible scarring and the need for secondary surgery to even out bumps, depending on the type of modification needed.
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The recovery time may take more than two weeks, and the patient is advised to take off from work.
How Is Thigh Lift Surgery Done?
Anesthesia:
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The procedure is done under general anesthesia.
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The surgery may take one to two hours, depending on the patient's requirements.
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Sometimes liposuction may be required for the procedure.
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It is essential to have a person to accompany the patient during the procedure; the patient may need to stay overnight in the hospital.
Procedure:
The surgeon will discuss different treatment options and choose the best treatment necessary according to the patient's requirements.
Mini Thigh Lift:
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This procedure requires minimum incisions in the groin region to facilitate the reshaping of the thigh.
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This procedure is preferred when toning the upper-inner part of the thigh region.
Medial Thigh Lift (Inner Thigh Lift):
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An incision is performed where the thigh and pubic area connect during an inner thigh lift.
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After removing a wedge of skin and fat, the skin is closed, which results in skin tightening, a better leg contour, and increased skin elasticity.
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This procedure focuses on the inner thigh.
Lateral Thigh Lift (Outer Thigh Lift):
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This procedure tightens the skin outside and front of the leg.
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During a lateral thigh lift, an incision is performed near the top of the leg, where the bottom edge of your underpants would be.
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The remaining skin is then pulled up and attached to the same spot after a particular amount of skin has been removed.
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In this method, the skin on both the right and left sides of the thighs is tightened.
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This procedure is generally performed when there is excessively loose and flabby skin due to tremendous weight loss.
What Are the Precautions to Be taken by the Patient After Thigh Lift?
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Patients might have swelling and pain and be unable to stand fully for a few days, which is temporary.
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Proper diet and nutrition are necessary for better healing.
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As the surgeon recommends, smoking should be avoided at least one month before and two weeks after the procedure.
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Drain tubes will be placed after the surgery, and the doctor will show how to empty the drains. Drains are usually removed after three to fourteen days.
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Avoid strenuous activities like bending and physical activity for three weeks.
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After the first two to three weeks, patients can resume these activities if driving and walking do not hurt.
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For six to eight weeks, refrain from jogging and hard lifting.
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Care must be taken not to give excessive force or motion to surgical incisions during healing.
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Medications should be followed as suggested by the doctor.
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Comfortable and loose clothing should be preferred till the healing is satisfactory.
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Supportive elastic garments should be worn for at least six weeks. This will help prevent fluid buildup and aid in tightening the thigh.
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Regular follow-up checks up must be scheduled as suggested by the doctor.
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Patients can begin assessing the visual results of their thigh lift surgery after a few months.
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Scars typically take three months to two years to fade and flatten.
What Are the Complications of Thigh Lift Surgery?
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Wound infection for which antibiotic treatment may be necessary.
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Prolonged discomfort near the incision sites.
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Hematoma (a collection of blood around the surgical site that may require drainage).
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Scars easily seen, such as keloid and hypertrophic scars, are enlarged, elevated scars that develop over healed incisions.
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Numbness around operated sites is typically temporary and will disappear over several months.
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Excess fluid accumulation under the skin (seroma) around an operated site.
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Fat necrosis (death of fat cells below the skin).
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Asymmetry or unevenness of the thighs.
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Allergic reactions due to general anesthesia.
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Damage to underlying tissue.
Conclusion:
Thigh lift surgery is a cosmetic surgery to tone and reshape the thighs. Cosmetic surgery, however, cannot reverse natural aging. As an individual ages, the skin will gradually lose its tightness and sag. The thigh skin may stretch out once again if a patient acquires a lot of weight after having a thigh lift, which could affect the outcomes and the shape of the thighs. The surgeon would advise losing weight before having thigh lift surgery if the patient intends to do so.
