Objective of thigh lift

Thigh Lift Long pretty woman legs

People are sometimes left with empty hanging folds of skin after pregnancy, serious weight loss, or sometimes just with aging. When this loose skin is surgically removed from the inner or posterior thighs, it is called a thigh lift.

Thigh lift is indicated in patients who have experienced a loss of skin elasticity of the thigh, hip or buttock areas. The procedure may also be helpful if skin in the thigh area is saggy or has an orange peel, flabby and/or dimpled appearance,or if thigh appearance improves dramatically when lax skin is lifted. The procedure is intended to produce tighter, more attractive thigh and buttock skin with improved contours. Thigh lift is also intended to decrease irregularities in skin surface.

Anesthesia before thigh lift

Dr. Nicolaidis always performs thigh lift surgery with general anesthesia.

Surgical Technique of thigh lift

Wide variations in the design of the incisions to meet clothing or personal desires are possible. Minor cases of course skin on the inner thighs may require only short horizontal incisions extending from the anterior part of the thigh/groin crease around to the buttock crease or long vertical incisions on the inner aspect of the thigh. More severe cases of course skin all around the thighs require a vertical removal of skin of the inner thigh from the pubig region all the way to the knee with a resulting long scar. Dr. Nicolaidis will explain what specific procedures are available to solve each particular problem.

Recovery after thigh lift

Compression garments are placed at the end of surgery to reduce swelling and assist in the natural shrinking and tightening of the skin. With smaller thigh lifts, initial discomfort is usually easily controlled with prescription pain medication. With larger thigh lifts, one-night of care in a hospital may be required. Bruising and swelling usually subside within a month. Strenuous activities are usually possible in 6 weeks. Almost all symptoms are gone in 4-6 months.

Return to work after thigh lift

After thigh lifting, it is usually possible to return to work within 2 to 4 weeks, depending on the extent of surgery and type of work.

Possible complications after thigh lift

Risks include swelling, bruising, bleeding, infection, scarring and numbness which may be permanent. If the lymphatic vessels are damaged during the operation, permanent swelling may occur.

For further information about thigh lifts, please click here : American Society of Plastic Surgeons

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