Thigh Lift
- Approximate duration: 2 to 4 hours
- Anesthesia: General
- Recovery: 4 weeks
Who is this procedure suitable for?
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 a dimpled appearance. The procedure is intended to produce tighter, more attractive thigh and buttock skin with improved contours. Thigh lift is also intended to decrease irregularities on the thigh skin surface.
Surgical and post-operative details
Anaesthesia
Dr. Nicolaidis always performs thigh lift surgery with general anesthesia.
Surgical techniques
Wide variations in the design of the incisions to meet clothing or personal desires are possible. Smaller cases limited to the upper inner thighs may require only short horizontal incisions extending from the anterior part of the thigh/groin crease around to the buttock crease. More severe cases with loose skin all the way around the thighs require a vertical removal of skin of the inner thigh from the pubic 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
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 nursing care 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 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
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.
Post-surgery advice
The first week
- Keep your dressings dry and clean;
- Minimize sitting and do so GENTLY;
- Walk slowly with legs slightly apart;
- Avoid stairs as much as possible;
- Wash with a sponge;
- Write the amount of drainage per day per drain (Please bring those results with you at your next visit with Dr Nicolaidis);
- Wear your compressive garments at all times;
- Walk at least 5 minutes every hour during the day (do NOT simply stay in bed constantly).
Your first post-operative appointment for thigh lift with Dr. Nicolaidis is very important, even if you feel very well.
After the first week
- Keep sitting and stairs to a minimum for 2 more weeks. Patients are usually allowed to start taking stairs after a total of 3 weeks, provided healing is good;
- Continue to keep your dressings dry and clean unless Dr Nicolaidis says otherwise;
- Wash with a sponge in order to keep your dressings dry;
- Protect your new scars from sun exposure for a total of 6 months;
- Avoid lifting heavy objects until Dr. Nicolaidis gives permission;
- Avoid bathing or showering until Dr. Nicolaidis gives permission;
- Continue wearing compressive garments until Dr. Nicolaidis says otherwise;
- In order to avoid blood clot complications, keep moving (walk regularly during the day).
Please note
- It is normal to have mild swelling and bruising of the thighs in the first weeks after surgery.
- For your comfort, be sure to take your pain medication as prescribed.
Ready to learn more?
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