Inner Thigh Lift (Thighplasty)
The effects of time, gravity, and weight loss can cause the skin of the inner and outer thigh to lose tone and sag. Along with sagging skin, fat often collects in the thighs, especially as people age. For many people, weight loss and exercise do not correct the problem. Liposuction alone can improve the contour of the thighs in patients with good skin tone; however, people with loose skin must combine liposuction with thigh lift (thighplasty) surgery to tighten the skin of the inner and outer thighs.
Consultation
Consultation for the procedure includes a thorough discussion of your desires, expectations, and concerns as well as limits and risks of the surgery. The surgeon will review your medical history and recommend options that would be suitable for you given the overall size and shape of your body. He or she also will take pictures of and carefully examine your thighs and assess your skin tone.
Candidates
The best candidates for thigh lift are men or women who are in relatively good shape but have loose skin or excessive fat in the inner and/or outer thighs that cannot be corrected with additional weight loss or exercise.
Overweight or obese patients who intend to lose a significant amount of weight should postpone surgery until they have achieved a normal, healthy weight for their height.
The Procedure
An inner thigh lift takes approximately 2 hours. The procedure usually begins with liposuction, followed by the removal of excess skin. The length and location of the incisions will depend on the extent of your procedure. Outer thigh lift surgery is usually combined with a buttock or lower body lift—procedures that usually take more time and require a longer hospital stay.
Before the procedure, your surgeon will review the possibilities with you so that you are not surprised by the results.
Recovery and Results
If you undergo thigh lift surgery, you will receive thorough written instructions to prepare for and recover from your procedure. The instructions will include how to reduce the potential for infection and when to follow up with your surgeon.
After your surgery, your incisions will be bandaged and your legs may be wrapped in an elastic bandage or a compression garment to minimize swelling. A small, thin tube may be temporarily placed under the skin to drain excess blood or fluid that is injected during surgery to decrease blood loss and facilitate liposuction.
Most patients are ready for discharge 4 to 6 hours after the procedure. You will be encouraged to walk during the first 48 hours. Two to 3 days later, you will visit your surgeon so that he can remove your bandages and ensure that your incisions are healing properly. You will have additional follow-up visits so that your surgeon can evaluate your incisions and monitor your progress.
Climbing stairs or activities that produce tension across the wounds such as squatting should be avoided until your surgeon suggests it is safe. Most patients describe having discomfort for several days to a week after the procedure.
Patients with jobs that do not require much activity can usually return to work in 1 week; however, if your job requires prolonged periods of standing, walking, or heavy lifting, you may need to wait from 3 to 6 weeks before returning to work. You cannot resume vigorous activities or aerobic exercises for at least 6 weeks.
The smoother, tighter contours from thigh lift surgery are immediately apparent after the procedure; however, it can take several weeks for bruising and up to 6 weeks for swelling to resolve. The results are long lasting if you maintain a stable weight and work to stay fit. Over time, however, the natural effects of aging and gravity will cause your upper arms to lose some firmness.
