Thigh Lift
What is a Thigh Lift?
Thigh lift surgery reshapes the thighs by reducing excess skin and fat, resulting in smoother skin and better-proportioned contours of the thighs and lower body. If fitness and weight control efforts have not achieved your goals for a body that is firmer, more youthful-looking and more proportionate to your overall body image, a surgical lift may be right for you. Thigh lift surgery can be performed alone or in conjunction with liposuction and other body contouring procedures.
Download our Post Massive Weight Loss Surgery Overview!
Best Candidates
The best candidates for thigh lift surgery are men or women in good physical health, who have realistic expectations and specific goals in mind for their appearance following surgery. Thigh lift surgery may be right for you if:
- You have loose, excess skin on your thighs that you would like removed
- You are at or near your ideal body weight, but still have stubborn pockets of fat that diet and exercise haven’t eliminated
- Your skin has good elasticity and will snap back into place after being lifted
- You do not smoke
Thigh Lift Procedure
During your consultation, your plastic surgeon will evaluate your overall health and discuss your aesthetic goals. He or she will also examine your thighs, skin quality and elasticity, and the amount and distribution of any excess fat. Thigh lift surgery is typically performed under general anesthesia as an outpatient procedure, which means you will go home the same day.
There are several different types of thigh lift surgery, and the approach your surgeon takes will be based on the amount and location of excess skin to be removed. The incisions for a thigh lift are usually made along the natural creases in your groin and may extend down to the knee. In some cases, an incision also may be made around the back of the thigh. Through these incisions, your surgeon will remove excess skin and fat, and may also reposition and reshape underlying tissue. The incisions will then be closed with sutures.
Recovery
You can expect some swelling and bruising after surgery, which will subside over time. You will be asked to wear a compression garment or special support hose to help reduce swelling and support your new contours as they heal. Most people feel well enough to return to work within two weeks, although you should avoid strenuous activity for at least four to six weeks.
This procedure can give you firmer, more youthful-looking thighs and a lower body contour that better reflects your overall proportions. If you are considering thigh lift surgery, consult with one of out board certified plastic surgeons to learn more about the procedure and if it is right for you.