Excessive fat deposits in the thigh area can be a result of lack of exercise and consequent obesity. Skin can also become lax due to excessive and sudden weight loss. Ageing can lead to saggy and loose skin around that area. A poor thigh contour can cause disproportionate overall body balance. If you have wrinkles on your thighs that you want to get rid of, or you want to get your skin tightened for a firmer and more youthful look, then you’re at the right place.
A Thigh Lift can remove excess fat from yout thighs to make them look toned.
A thigh lift or thighplasty is a procedure that involves the removal of excess skin and fat from either the inner or outer thighs. This is often desirable after bariatric weight loss or in individuals for whom dieting and exercise have failed to reduce excess tissue in their upper thighs. Liposuction may be used as a supplement to the recontouring of the inner thigh.
Many patients who wish to improve the appearance of their
thighs are good candidates for thighplasty, but you will need
to meet certain requirements to qualify for this surgery.
These criteria help keep you safe during the procedure and
maximize your chances for achieving your new look. Typically,
you will be eligible for a thigh lift if you:
Have unwanted skin and soft tissue along your thighs.
Maintain a stable weight. If you have not yet reached your weight loss goals, losing further weight could cause your thigh tissue to droop again. In addition, gaining significant weight after your procedure can also interfere with your results.
Are psychologically healthy
Your plastic surgeon will be able to evaluate your candidacy for thighplasty by examining your body, reviewing your medical records and discussing your goals with you during your initial consultation.
Have realistic expectations for your procedure.
Can commit to maintaining a healthy diet and exercising after your thigh lift to preserve your results.
Do not smoke, as this can disrupt the healing process and increase your risk of complications. If you do smoke, you may become a candidate for thighplasty if you quit smoking for a prescribed period of time before and after your surgery.
Do not consume alcohol too much, since this can also impair your recovery and raise your risk of complications.
There are multiple techniques to customize a thigh lift procedure to the needs of individual patients. These are differentiated by the size and shape of the incision used to remove excess skin, fat, and tissue. Your plastic surgeon will evaluate your candidacy for each of these kinds of thigh lifts and recommend the procedure that suits your needs and preferences.
Inner Thigh Lift
This type of thigh lift targets the inner thigh. It deals with exercise resistant fat and sagging skin that leads to reduced skin elasticity.
During an inner thigh lift, your plastic surgeon will make an incision at the junction where the thigh meets the pubic area. This allows him/her to access the underlying tissues while making the most discreet incision possible, since the resulting scar can easily be hidden by underwear. Your plastic surgeon will then remove a wedge of skin and possibly fat from the region and tighten the remaining skin to provide improved leg contours.
Mini Thigh Lift
If you have sagging tissues only in the upper thigh of the leg, you may qualify for a mini thigh lift, a modification of the inner thigh lift technique that involves only a short scar in the groin area. While this technique offers less dramatic results, it produces only minimal scarring and typically requires a shorter recovery period.
Bilateral Thigh Lift
The bilateral thigh lift or "outer thigh lift," is designed to
tighten skin on the front and outside of the leg. During this,
your surgeon will make an incision at the top of the leg where
the lower edge of a bikini bottom or pair of underwear would
be, creating a "V" shape.
Depending on your needs, this incision may wrap around to your
hip or buttocks area. Your surgeon will then remove a certain
amount of skin, depending on your needs and preferences,
before pulling the remaining skin up and attaching it to the
same area so that it is smooth.
Medial Thigh Lift
A medial thigh lift reduces excess skin and fat on the upper portion of the inner thigh. It is designed for patients who are dissatisfied with the shape of their legs or who would like to remove excess skin after extreme weight loss. During a medial thigh lift procedure, an incision is made in the groin, extending to the back of the crease of the buttock or to the hip. It might also include vertical scars extending down the legs from the groin for greater access to underlying tissue. The skin is lifted, removing excess skin and fat to improve the shape of the leg and tone it.
Taking care of your body and planning for your recovery period
in the weeks before your procedure can maximize your chances
for excellent results and reduce your risk for
complications.
There are certain steps you need to take to prepare yourself
this procedure, including:
Stopping smoking and drinking for a specific time period before your procedure.
Avoiding taking certain drugs and supplements that could interfere with your surgery or healing process.
Thoroughly cleaning your thighs to make sure your skin stays sterile and healthy before your procedure. Your plastic surgeon will not be able to perform thigh lift surgery if your skin is infected, which is more likely to occur with drooping tissue.
Staying hydrated and taking supplements such as vitamin C and iron to help your body undergo and heal from a thigh lift.
Sleeping properly. Your body will recover more quickly in the stages of healing if you get enough rest, and it may be more difficult for you to sleep after your surgery.
Continuing to exercise and eat a healthy diet. Your weight will need to be stable to undergo thigh lift surgery. You will also need to continue maintaining this healthy lifestyle after the procedure to preserve your results.
Having any additional testing or lab work your plastic surgeon orders. If your candidacy is in question, your plastic surgeon may require additional assessment before performing your thigh lift.
Ask your spouse, a friend, or a family member to help take care of you for a few days after your surgery. This person will need to learn how to help you empty the drains from your incisions, give you your medications, and assist you in moving around the house.
Fill prescriptions for painkillers, antibiotics, anticoagulants, and any other drugs you may need to undergo and recover from surgery. You will not need to worry about this preparatory step if your plastic surgeon provides medications at the clinic as part of your surgical package.
Arrange to take time off of work. You will not be able to sit or engage in much activity for the first several weeks after your thigh lift.
Refrain from eating for at least 12 hours before your surgical appointment time. Having food in your stomach can make going under anesthesia more complicated or dangerous.
Directly After Surgery, incisions will be bandaged, drains may be placed to prevent blood and fluid accumulation, and a compression garment is worn to hold your incisions in place.
Surgical nurses will monitor you and provide instructions on taking medications and position your body so as to not disrupt your incisions, as well as how to look for signs of complications so that they can be treated efficiently. For example, seeing yellow/green fluid in your drains could be a symptom of infection.
Prescribed after care painkillers should help you manage any pain/soreness/discomfort.
Avoid taking aspirin or ibuprofen for at least 2 days so as not to increase bleeding risks.
Before you leave the hospital or surgical clinic, you should be able to walk around comfortably and have all of your necessary medications and supplies.
Due to the disorienting effects of anesthesia, sedation, and painkillers, a friend/family member will need to drive you home from surgery.
During the first 24 hours after surgery for the after care,
You will need assistance performing regular activities like making food and going to the bathroom.
You will need to rest, positioning your body so that you do not stretch your thigh tissue. Many patients use pillows to take pressure off of the legs during healing.
Sleeping can help your body recover from surgery, but you will need to wake up at regular intervals to take your medications.
While you should not climb stairs, squat, or perform any strenuous activities, you should take short walks around your home to keep your blood circulating.
2 days after your thigh lift, you may shower, carefully removing your compression garment and bandages to gently wash your thighs.
One week after your procedure , you will return for a follow-up appointment, during which your surgeon will examine your thighs and discuss any questions you have and remove your sutures and drains, if your incisions are sufficiently healed.
2-3 weeks after thigh lift surgery, scars may appear more pronounced or red at this point, but they will begin to fade over the following weeks and months. You should be able to resume gentle exercise and driving.
Approximately one month after your thigh lift,
You may stop wearing your compression garment, with your plastic surgeon's approval.
Swelling and bruising should subside. If you continue to experience discomfort and inflammation, contact your plastic surgeon, as this may be a symptom of a complication.
6-8 weeks after surgery, you should be able to resume your regular exercise regimen, as long as your plastic surgeon clears you for this level of activity.
6-12 months after your thigh lift surgery, your recovery process should be complete.
Start with a liquid diet, as you may have some nausea.
As it takes approximately a month to get back to your normal exercise routine one should reduce diet intake by about 20% till then. This is to balance the intake and output.
For one month, salt intake should be less as salt increases swelling.
Smoking 4 weeks before and after surgery can increase the risk of complications.
It is possible to lose areas of fat deposit by diet and exercise. However, once the skin it becomes loose it cannot be tightened by exercise or diet.
Drink fluids to help rid the body of the medications used in surgery.
Drinking alcoholic beverages may be resumed only after you are off all prescription pain medication.
The results last for a lifetime, but the shape of a person’s thighs will change over time. Hence it is very important to maintain a healthy weight.
The surgery can provide a smoother and youthful looking appearance by improving body contours and removing unwanted tissue.
Thigh lift is a solution for individuals looking to lose weight easily.
It is a relatively permanent solution to get rid of excess fat on thighs, the effect of which lasts for atleast a decade.
The complete results of the surgery will only be visible several weeks after the procedure when the recovery time is over.
The surgery can cause mild scarring that will remain permanently. Over one year, however, scars can reduce in visibility if the individual maintains good health and fitness.
Some firmness in the thighs can be lost over the years due to the natural process of aging.
Restore your self-assurance and confidence regarding your body
Appeasing figure that you will be able to adorn with clothes fitting your desired body type.
Your body will appear more shapely and proportional. This is especially benefitial in cases of patients who have succeeded in a weight reduction program.
Your thighs will be firmer, smooth and more youthful, with a curvaceous appearance.
A thigh lift helps tightens loose skin in the inner and outer thighs, and enhances contours.
Removes unwanted fat from the inner thighs, tops of the knees, and outer thighs (saddle bags).
Eliminates chafing between the thighs
Reduces cellulite and benefits patient by reducing dimpling of skin
A thigh lift, either with or without liposuction, can help in diminishing excess skin following substantial weight loss
There may be visible scarring, but these will be indiscernible after some time.
A thigh lift removes excess skin quantity but does not make the quality of the remaining skin any better. If you are committed to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and a moderate weight, a thigh lift can help you regain the youthful thigh contours you desire.
Where fat has been removed by liposuction, the skin may appear deflated.
The complete recovery takes about 3 weeks, however, the overall results are long-lasting, provided that you maintain a stable weight and general fitness.
A secondary procedure may be required to correct any unevenness or bump. It may not be possible to achieve optimal results with a single surgical procedure and another surgery may be necessary
For the complete desired outcome, some patients might need to undergo liposuction before thigh lift surgery
A small percentage of patients undergoing thigh lift surgery do not have excess fat in the area that would require liposuction beforehand - but most do - and must therefore first undergo liposuction treatment, followed by thigh lift surgery two to three months later. The later surgery involves removing excess skin and any underlying outer tissue or fat, significantly more invasive than liposuction alone.
The patient must not have chronic conditions like diabetes as this could compromise on a successful healing or prove to be unsafe under anesthesia and sedation.
Heavy drinkers and smokers are also not advised to undergo the procedure as they are subject to higher risks of complications and unsuccessful recovery due to excessive internal and external bleeding.
Pregnant women and patients with cardiovascular diseases should also not have this surgery as the anesthesia can be harmful for the foetus.
Potential patients should also be mentally healthy as surgeries can be difficult on people with psychological disorders.
Apart from thighplasty, these are some alternatives that can help tighten the muscles or lose those excess folds of skin:
Vanquish Me: This is new procedure that goes a step beyond non-invasive. It uses a device operating at a radio frequency that hovers over the target area, killing fat cells by heating them. This procedure is painless and can cover a large area.
Liposuction and Buttock lifts: These are some surgical alternatives to thigh lift. Buttock lift can enhance the appearance of your upper thighs and sculpt your lower body. Liposuction is useful if your concern is excess fat rather than drooping skin.
Arasys: This procedure uses special waves of energy that cause the muscles to contract and enhance tone by burning fat. This is usually preferred for mild sagging.
Laser Treatment: Infrared lasers are used along with massage techniques causing enhanced collagen production in thighs, thereby tightening them.
Diet control and injected treatments: If you do not want surgical instruments piercing your body, you may try cellulite injections or nutritional diets. Cellulite injections aim at dissolving fat that causes skin to wrinkle. Diet control can lead to huge weight loss with enhanced skin tone.
Thigh lift scars are generally T shaped, the horizontal component lying along the top end of the thigh and the vertical component along the inner thigh right upto the knee. The scar will appear crinkled initially and smoothes and evens out after a period of 4-6 weeks. Initially, the scar may appear red and prominent, and it usually takes 12-18 months for scar to become soft and light.
You may not be able to see the results of your thigh lift immediately, since your legs will most likely be swollen, bruised, and covered by compression garments. As inflammation diminishes and your scars begin to fade, you should notice slimmer, younger-looking thighs with more attractive contours. It may take up to a year for your thighs to completely recover so you can see your full results.
Do not sit in the sun for 4 weeks. After that, it is extremely important to use sunscreen, minimum of SPF 30, applied to all scars when outside for a minimum of one year after surgery. Sun exposure can cause permanent discoloration of the scars. Sunlight can even reach scars under a swimsuit or clothing, so take adequate precautions.
There will be swelling right after the procedure that can be solved by wearing a compression garment.
Temporary scarring that can last upto a year. Anti-scarring creams can be applied for the same.
The procedure carries the risk of bruising that should subside in a month after the procedure.
Excess fluid accumulation in the operated areas that can be drained using small pipes and drains.
The skin treated on is highly sensitive to sunlight and must be covered for the first couple of months after the surgery.
Blood clots and bleeding are common after the surgery and subside within 3-5 days.
Complications like pain, discomfort and numbness in the operated areas can be dealt with, through ice packs and medication.
Ensure that you choose a trusted surgeon to perform the surgery. Falling prey to quackery is very easy, especially when you travel abroad for medical reasons. That being said, medical travel does have advantages in the terms of cost and quality. You can save considerably on your treatment if you can make sure that your surgeon is board certified.
Ensure that he has indeed graduated from a recognised medical school and has been in practice in the field for a long time. Getting the procedure done in JCI accredited hospital can reduce the risk of choosing a wrong surgeon as accredited hospitals have rigid selection criterias that they have to maintain in order to provide the best quality of treatment. You could also enquire about his experience with thighplasty and ask to show you cases and pictures of his previous patients.