Thigh Lift


Search

Belly Button Revision

Post-Bariatric Surgery

Member - American Society of Plastic Surgeons

Thigh Lift

Thigh Lift
Are You A Good Candidate
Meeting With The Doctor
How The Procedure Is Performed
What To Expect After Surgery
Possible Side Effects And Risks
How Long Will The Results Last
Questions You May Have

Thigh Lift
A thigh lift is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat to slim and contour the area of the upper thighs. The procedure is particularly effective when flabby "orange peel" skin is present. In many cases, the thigh lift is performed in conjunction with a buttock lift, which removes excess fat and skin from the buttock area. Working with the experienced doctors and staff at The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery, you can determine the procedure that is right for you and be assured of the results you hope for.

Are You A Good Candidate for a Thigh Lift?
If your upper thighs have unwanted fat that bulges out under the buttocks and your skin in that area is excessively loose and flabby and exercise and dieting have been unable to correct the problem, you are most likely a good candidate for a thigh lift. In most cases, a thigh lift is performed at the same time as a buttock lift.

Meeting With the Doctor
Prior to scheduling your thigh lift, you will have a lengthy consultation with the doctors and staff at The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery to determine if the procedure is right for you and to answer any questions you may have. At this initial meeting, your buttock and thigh region will be evaluated and you will discuss how you want this area to look after surgery. You will also decide if you'd like to have a buttock lift performed at the same time as your thigh lift.

The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery doctors and staff will:
� Review the various buttock and thigh lift options with you
� Clearly discuss the potential risks of the procedure
� Outline in detail how the surgery is performed and what you can expect before, during, and after the procedure
� Provide detailed cost and payment information
� Answer all your questions

You will be asked to provide:
� Details about your medical history
� A list of all medications you currently take including over the counter medications such as aspirin, vitamins, and herbal supplements
� Information regarding your tobacco and alcohol use

How The Procedure Is Performed
Unless your surgery is extensive, it will be performed at the Center for Ambulatory Surgery, Inc. (CASI), where the doctors and staff are dedicated to your complete comfort during and after the procedure. Either general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation is used depending on the severity of the surgery. The surgery usually takes between one to five hours to complete. The type of anesthesia used and the anticipated length of your procedure will be discussed with you at your initial consultation.

If your thigh and/or thigh and buttock lift is extensive, it may be performed at the hospital using general anesthesia. In most cases, you will stay in the hospital for one to two nights depending on the amount of pain you experience. At your initial meeting with the doctor, it will be determined if your surgery will be performed at the hospital or at the Center for Ambulatory Surgery, Inc. (CASI).

To start the surgery, the doctor makes an incision high on the upper thigh. In most cases, though the incision may be extensive, it is placed in a position that will allow you to wear a bathing suit without the scar being visible. The exact placement of your incision will be discussed with you during your initial consultation.

Once the incision is made, the doctor removes excess fat and trims away unwanted skin. Stitches are then used to close the incision. Once the incision is stitched, gauze dressings and tape are applied over the surgical area.

What To Expect After Your Surgery
Activity When

Shower or Bath As Soon as You Feel Comfortable

Back to Work Two to Three Weeks After Surgery

Driving Three to Six Weeks After Surgery

Strenuous Activity Six Weeks After Surgery

Fading of Scars Several Months to One Year

Immediately After Your Surgery
In most cases, thigh and/or thigh and buttock lift surgery is performed on an outpatient basis. You usually go home shortly after your surgery is completed. You may be sleepy from the anesthesia and the area around your incisions will be sore so you will need to have someone drive you home. Once you go home, you may want to have someone stay with you for the first few days since you may experience moderate discomfort. If the procedure is performed at the hospital, you can expect to stay in the hospital for one to two nights. Pain medication will be prescribed to alleviate as much post-surgery pain as possible.

The First 24 to 48 Hours After Your Surgery
During the first 24 to 48 hours after your procedure, you will feel tired from the anesthesia and may experience mild to moderate discomfort. The doctor will prescribe pain medication to alleviate as much of the discomfort as possible. There will be moderate swelling, tenderness, and bruising in the area of the incisions; this will gradually disappear within the first month after your surgery. Your discomfort level will improve rapidly after the first two days. Small amounts of bleeding and oozing are normal in the first few days after surgery. If you see more than just a slow staining of the gauze dressing, apply pressure to the area with your hand for 20 to 30 minutes to stop the bleeding. If this does not stop the bleeding, call The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery. Heavy bleeding is rare; however, if it does happen, call the Institute right away.

The First Two Weeks After Surgery
You will notice a marked improvement in your discomfort level during the first few weeks after your surgery:

� You will experience moderate swelling, tenderness, and bruising in the area of the incision. This will gradually disappear within the first two weeks after surgery, with most of the swelling and bruising disappearing within a month.

� When sitting or lying down, choose the position that is most comfortable for you. No matter which position you choose, you will not be able to avoid putting some pressure on the treated area. Try to change positions every 30 minutes to keep from placing too much stress or weight on any one area.

� You can shower or bathe as soon as you feel comfortable doing so. Treat the surgical tape placed over your incision like your own skin - bathe and dry off normally. If the strips become loose, or curl on the ends, you can snip the ends off or remove them completely.

Resuming Your Normal Routine
Everyone heals at different rates and you are the best judge of when you are ready for certain activities, but the following are general guidelines:

� You can most likely return to work or school within two to three weeks after your procedure. If your work is strenuous, plan to stay home from work for four to eight weeks, depending on how you heal and the type of work you do.

� You should walk every day, beginning the day after your surgery. Do as much walking as you can, but be sure to take things at your own pace.

� You can resume driving as soon as you experience no pain.

� You can most likely return to your physical exercise program within six weeks of your thigh lift. Our patients are encouraged to plan an exercise program and discuss it with the staff prior to resuming exercise.

� The scars caused by the incisions should be protected from sunlight for at least a year after surgery.

Things To Be Aware Of After Your Surgery
� You may experience a loss of sensation or numbness in the area of your surgery. This is entirely normal and may take several months to disappear.
� The skin in the area of your surgery may appear shiny due to swelling. Within a few weeks, the swelling will disappear and the skin will return to a normal appearance.
� You may notice a tingling sensation in the surgical area. This feeling is a result of the healing of the nerves in the area and will go away within several months of your procedure.
� All symptoms of thigh lift surgery generally disappear within four to six months of the procedure.

What Are Possible Side Effects or Risks?
All surgical procedures have some degree of risk; however, major complications from thigh and/or thigh and buttock lift surgery are unusual. During your initial consultation with the doctors and staff of The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery, your individual risks will be assessed and discussed. As with any surgery, you can help reduce the risks by closely following the pre and post-surgery instructions provided to you. And the doctors and staff of the Institute will be with you every step of the way to ensure a safe and pleasing outcome.

Most likely risks include the following:
� Infection
� Loss of sensation
� Scarring

How Long Will the Results of Your Thigh Lift Last?
Thigh lift surgery results in slimmer thighs with tighter and more evenly textured skin. These results generally last five to ten years; however, large weight gain or pregnancy will affect how long the results last.

Questions You May Have
� Are there other procedures that could be done along with thigh lift surgery to enhance the overall appearance of my upper thighs?
Buttock lift surgery is usually performed at the same time as thigh lift surgery to enhance the overall appearance of this area. In addition, the doctors at The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery are the first specialists in the Washington DC area certified to perform LipoSelection, a much gentler form of liposuction that can be used to remove fat in the area near your thigh and/or thigh and buttock lift.

� Will my insurance coverage pay for my thigh lift?
Thigh lift surgery is considered cosmetic surgery and, therefore, is not covered by insurance. You are responsible for the full payment of the procedure. Cost and payment information will be fully discussed with you during your initial consultation.

� Are there alternatives to thigh lift surgery?
Options for improving the look of your upper thighs include weight loss and exercise, especially toning exercises. LipoSelection may also greatly enhance the appearance of your upper thigh area.