Thigh Lift
What is a thigh lift?
Medically termed a thighplasty, a thigh lift is a procedure to reduce excess skin and sometimes remove fat from the thigh area, smoothening the skin and creating balanced proportionate contours.
What does a thigh lift improve?
Aging, weight fluctuations, and genetics may leave a person with excess skin and disproportionate contours on the thigh area.
A thigh lift can:
- Create smoother contours of the thighs, proportionate to the rest of the body.
- Address areas that exercise and proper nutrition can't seem to eliminate for a slimmer overall appearance.
A thigh lift is not a procedure solely to remove fat, but it can be combined with a procedure such as liposuction to assist patients whose skin may not have enough elasticity for the best aesthetic result.
How is the procedure performed?
A thigh lift is an outpatient procedure that can be performed with either general anesthesia or intravenous sedation. The location of the incisions will depend on the goals of the procedure. A surgeon may remove either inner thigh skin (medial) or out thigh skin (lateral). If any fat is to be removed via liposuction that procedure is done, and other internal tissue is tightened, reshaped and secured with internal sutures. Then skin is smoothed over the new contour, with excess skin removed, and incisions are closed with either sutures, skin adhesives, tapes or clips.
What are the risks?
- Anesthesia risks
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac or pulmonary complications
- Change in skin sensation
- Poor healing
- Fluid accumulation
- Major wound separation
- Skin discoloration/swelling
- Sutures may not absorb, and surface through the skin causing irritation, drainage and redness
- Recurrent looseness of skin
- Scarring
- Skin loss
- Fat necrosis (when fatty tissue found deep in the skin dies)
- Pain
- Unsatisfactory results
What can be expected after the surgery?
Will I have bandages/drainage tubes?
Elastic bandages may be used over the treated areas. Also, drainage tubes may be used to remove excess fluid.
How soon until I can return to work?
Every patient is different. Heed the surgeon's advice about when to return to work and resume your typical activities following surgery.
How soon until I see results?
Results may be apparent immediately, though it could take much more time - perhaps several months - for final results to develop.
Is a thigh lift covered by insurance?
A thigh lift is considered a cosmetic procedure and is generally not covered by insurance companies.