What is a Thigh Lift?
By Dr. Rishavy
The time, energy, and attention that you’ve invested in losing weight is finally paying off. Whether you achieved it through diet and exercise or a gastric bypass type procedure, your body is changing, and so are you.
Now, one area that you may be concerned about is your inner thighs.
Since losing the weight, you may have noticed that the excess skin in your thighs is not going away—no matter how much you target the area through exercise. The sagging skin makes it difficult to see your new tone and physique, which you’ve worked so hard to accomplish.
This is a common frustration for those who have experienced massive weight loss, and a thigh lift is a common solution. Let’s talk about what this procedure is and whether it is right for you.
How is a thigh lift performed?
Simply put, a thigh lift is a surgery to remove excess skin and soft tissue from the inner thighs. Also referred to as “thighplasty,” this cosmetic procedure falls under the category of body contouring or body sculpting. The goal of a thigh lift is to firm and tighten the area for a more proportionate and youthful-looking appearance.
Technically, there are several ways in which your surgeon can access and remove excess tissue from your thighs. Two common types of incisions that your surgeon may make to do this include:
- Bikini line incision: This incision follows the natural creases of your bikini line on both sides of your groin.
- Thigh-to-knee incision: Additional incisions may be made down the inside of your thigh to the knee. This is to help fold the skin and remove excess tissue.
Your surgeon will close the incisions and support your newly shaped contours with sutures, which will heal over the course of a few weeks.
Thigh lifts are outpatient procedures which are performed under general anesthesia, so you will recover at home under the guidance and instruction of your surgeon. It is important to follow your surgeon’s post-op instructions to ensure that you heal properly.
Most patients are able to return to work within two weeks (although they should avoid strenuous activity for 4-6 weeks) and are very satisfied with their newly-contoured appearance.
Am I a Good Candidate for a Thigh Lift?
The best candidates for thigh lifts are those who are in good physical health and who do not smoke.
You should be at or near your ideal body weight, so if you anticipate losing much more weight, then you may want to hold off on thigh surgery for now.
Thigh lift surgery can be performed alone or alongside liposuction and other body contouring procedures, like a mommy makeover, so it is important to consider all of your goals while maintaining realistic expectations for your post-op appearance.
During your initial consultation, you will have the chance to discuss all of this with a board-certified plastic surgeon. They will evaluate your overall health and examine your thighs and skin elasticity to determine if you are a good candidate for surgery.
This is a good time for you to ask questions about the procedure so that you have peace of mind knowing that you’re making the right decision. For many, thigh surgery is a key step in honoring and celebrating their new bodies after massive weight loss.
If you are considering a thigh lift and have questions or would like a consultation, contact our clinic today! We will schedule you with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons to determine a plan that will work for you.