Introduction:
Age, heredity, and weight fluctuations can all contribute to apparent physical changes like sagging skin, extra body fat, and weaker thigh muscles. Such problems could affect self-worth and body image. Healthy lifestyle modifications can help the upper legs look smoother, more shapely, and younger. A thigh lift, however, might be the best option in some situations.
What Is Thighplasty?
A thighplasty, commonly referred to as a thigh lift, is a surgical technique used in cosmetic surgery to tighten and enhance the appearance of the thighs. The thighs may have extra drooping skin or appear dimpled due to aging, pregnancy, or severe weight reduction.
A thigh lift is intended to lift and shape the thighs, making them appear slender and in proportion to the rest of the body. To give the thighs a smoother, more toned appearance, liposuction and thighplasty procedures may be combined.
People thinking about a thigh lift should know it is not a surgical way to lose weight. It is a technique for those close to their target weight but dissatisfied with the drooping appearance brought on by extra skin.
Who Are the Perfect Candidates for Thighplasty?
The following traits make a person a good candidate for thighplasty:
- Possesses excessive skin and fat in the inner and outer thighs.
- Does not smoke.
- Has a weight that is generally stable.
- Has expectations for reasonable procedure.
- Have generally good health and leads an active life.
What Are the Various Kinds of Thighplasty?
Various thigh lifts are accomplished through incisions, removing extra skin and fat. A doctor will work with individuals to determine the best operation for the particular circumstances. The various thigh lift varieties are listed below.
Inner (Medial) Thigh Lift: The most popular variation of this cosmetic procedure is a medial thigh lift. An incision is made from the groin area near the knee or at the back of the thigh to address drooping skin in the inner thighs.
Mini Thigh Lift: The doctor performing the surgery may decide that some individuals are candidates for a small thigh lift based on their specific demands. Compared to other thigh lift procedures, this one necessitates a little incision in the groin. It works well if one only wants to focus on the upper-inner part of the thigh.
Bilateral Outer Thigh Lift: An outer thigh lift focuses on the areas outside the thighs. During the procedure, an incision begins in the groin and moves outward to the hip and lower back.
Vertical Thigh Lift: A vertical thigh lift could be possible if there is a lot of additional skin on all the thighs. Deeper incisions that extend to the knees are necessary. However, the surgeon might not advise this kind of thigh lift due to a higher risk of complications.
Lifting With Liposuction: In rare circumstances, the skin elasticity in the thigh region may be inadequate. For additional assistance in removing extra fat cells and preventing sagging skin, the surgeon might advise liposuction in addition to thigh lift surgery.
How to Get Ready for Thighplasty?
A cosmetic surgeon can request that individuals have a medical examination before their thigh lift procedure to ensure they are healthy. Additionally, he or she might give them the following instructions:
- Stop using blood thinners or medications that make it harder for the blood to clot and cause heavy bleeding. They contain Aspirin, Ibuprofen, other anti-inflammatory drugs, and herbal supplements.
- Individuals might need to start taking particular drugs or change the ones they already take.
- Give up smoking.
Having someone else drive individuals to and from their thigh lift procedure is also a good idea. And, if the procedure is performed as an inpatient, make arrangements for a friend or family member to accompany individuals to the hospital for at least one night following surgery.
What Happens During a Thighplasty Procedure?
The steps involved in thighplasty are as follows:
- The aforementioned thigh lift procedures must first be performed on individuals under general anesthesia or intravenous sedation.
- The best incision will then be made by the plastic surgeon based on the following:
- The need for adjustment in the thigh region.
- The extent of extra skin and fat.
- An individual's preference as well as the surgeon's.
- The excess skin and fat will be removed, and deep sutures will be placed in the underlying tissues to shape and maintain the new thigh contours.
- Sutures, skin adhesives, or clips close the skin sutures. It will take roughly two hours to complete this procedure alone.
- Nevertheless, if one includes the time spent in pre-and post-operative care, the entire procedure will take up an entire day.
What to Anticipate During Recovery From Thighplasty?
After surgery, the newly developed, tighter, smoother thigh contours are instantly apparent.
However, swelling and bruising mask these preliminary findings. The surgeon could dress the incisions with compression garments to reduce swelling and discomfort.
Following surgery, one must wear these dressings for four weeks. Additionally, surgical drains might be inserted close to the incision to drain any extra fluid and stop it from building up.
One will receive instructions from the plastic surgeon essential for the procedure's success. These consist of the following:
- Taking good care of the wound sites.
- To promote healing, there are both topical and oral drugs.
- Watch out for any health issues at the incision site, like escalating pain, fever, and wound dehiscence.
- How frequently and when should one follow up with the plastic surgeon?
What Outcomes Should One Anticipate, and How Long Will They Last?
A thigh lift's effects may be visible immediately, but the full results typically take many months to become apparent, usually after the swelling goes down. If everything goes as planned, people will experience better-looking and softer skin.
Scarring will occur as a result of a thigh lift. However, a skilled surgeon will make incisions where most clothing and swimwear can cover them. Overall, if one adheres to the surgeon's instructions and maintains a stable weight and level of general fitness, the results of a thigh lift will last a very long time.
What Are the Thighplasty Risks and Potential Complications?
Before individuals consent to a thigh lift procedure, the plastic surgeon will review the risks with them during their consultation. The following are risks and potential issues individuals should be completely aware of:
- Adverse consequences of anesthesia.
- Bleeding.
- Infection.
- Accumulation of fluid.
- Delayed healing of a wound.
- Significant wound dehiscence.
- Asymmetry.
- Chronic discomfort.
- Discoloration of the skin.
- A lot of scars.
- Losing skin.
- Necrosis of fat.
- Thoracic deep vein.
- Pulmonary and cardiac complications.
- Numbness.
- Prospective revision procedures.
Conclusion:
An invasive cosmetic procedure called a thigh lift is frequently used to help remove extra skin and fat following significant weight loss. To keep the results after the procedure, individuals must be at a steady weight for several months prior. The complexity of cosmetic surgery makes selecting a surgeon with thigh lift experience crucial. Before one agrees to the procedure, a surgeon can discuss any risks and side effects. Recovery will likely take several weeks in total. However, if a qualified surgeon performs a thigh lift, it is well worth the time and money.
