Thigh Lift

What is a thigh lift?

A thigh lift is a cosmetic surgery performed to tighten sagging thigh muscles and remove excess skin from the thighs to restore a more youthful and pleasing body contour.

When is a thigh lift procedure recommended?

Thigh lift is particularly beneficial for individuals with large amounts of loose hanging skin on the thighs. This usually occurs due to lack of skin elasticity related to aging or a major weight loss.

Am I a good candidate for thigh lift?

A good candidate for thigh lift should have good general health, stable weight at or near ideal weight and have a realistic expectation of the results. Moreover, one should also be a non-smoker. If you smoke and are considering a thigh lift, you need to quit smoking well in advance of surgery to ensure adequate healing with minimal complications.

How is thigh lift performed?

Thigh lift is performed under general anaesthesia, or a combination of local anaesthesia and intravenous sedation. Depending on the amount and location of excess skin to be removed, incisions may vary in location, length and pattern.

• Inner thigh lift: groin area which may sometimes extend into the buttocks crease
• Outer thigh lift: extends around the front and side of the hip or outer thigh. This is an uncommon procedure.
• Circumferential thigh lift: both incisions of an inner and outer thigh lift may be used. However, in case of a large amount of loose skin extending to the knee area, a vertical incision is made along the inner thigh extending from the groin to the knee.

The excess skin is removed and then the remaining skin is pulled to its new position. Finally, the incisions are closed with sutures. The whole procedure may take up to three hours.

What can I expect after thigh lift?

A compression garment should be worn for the first few weeks to help keep the swelling under control. Sometimes, small tubes may be temporarily placed under the skin to help drain any excess blood or fluid from the surgical area. Some amount of bruising, swelling, and numbness after surgery is normal and will disappear in a few weeks or months.

How soon can I notice the results of thigh lift?

The final result may not be fully recognised until a year after surgery. The scars will fade gradually over a period of time.

What are the risks and complications involved with thigh lift?

Although a thigh lift is considered safe, there are certain risks and complications associated with any type of surgical procedure. Some of these include

• Infection
• Bleeding
• Fluid build-up
• Wound healing problems

Can the thigh lift procedure be combined with other cosmetic procedures?

During a thigh lift, small amounts of fat may be removed along with the excess skin, but it is not meant to remove significant fat deposits. A combination of liposuction and thigh lift techniques may be recommended in cases where there are small local fat deposits with poor skin elasticity. Moreover, thigh lift surgery is often performed in combination with other body lifting procedures such as breast lift, arm lift, tummy tuck or body lift to enhance the overall results.