Thigh Lift

 

The thigh Lift can generally be broken up into two main separate areas, the outer Thigh Lift/ Buttock Lift or the medial or inner Thigh Lift or Thighplasty.  Skin of the inner thigh is much like the skin of the upper arm and is very thin without good elasticity in many women.  Because of this laxity, liposuction is not the best procedure for many patients.  Liposuction will address the excess adipose or fatty tissue, but it may make the skin more lax or saggy.  This may be acceptable to some patients however.  Others may desire a more tightened or firm appearance and if this is the case, then a medial Thigh Lift is the procedure of choice.

 

A medial Thigh Lift or inner Thigh Lift will address laxity or sagginess of the top one-third of the inner thigh.  A more extensive Thighplasty will address excess skin laxity from the top of the thigh down to the knee; however, this procedure is much more extensive and will require a scar the entire length of the inner thigh.  The medial Thigh Lift or inner Thigh Lift will only require a scar along the inguinal or groin crease, extending back into the buttocks crease. This incision is well hidden by undergarments and many bathing suits.

 

Some patients undergoing a Thigh Lift may require two separate procedures depending on the circumstances, one to remove the bulk of excess fat with liposuction, and the second to address the excess skin.  These procedures are generally performed under general anesthesia.  They may take between 3 and 5 hours.  There can be a moderate amount of post operative discomfort following this type of procedure as the tissues are "anchored" to deeper tissues to prevent widening of the scar.  Pain medicine will allow you to rest.

Consultation

A personal consultation is the first step for every patient considering Thigh Lift.  During this meeting, Dr. Brill will discuss the changes you want to make in your appearance, the different options available to you, the procedure itself, and its risks and limitations.  He will evaluate the amount and location of the fatty tissue as well as the degree of skin laxity.  He will get a complete medical history, give you specific instructions preparing for surgery, including guidelines for eating and drinking, and taking or avoiding vitamins, supplements and medications.  As with any surgery, please be sure to inform us:

 

• About any allergies you have (to foods, drugs, environmental elements).
• If you have been exposed to significant amounts of radiation, have a history of unusual or poor scarring, or cold sores– like herpes or shingles.
• If you have any serious medical conditions.

• About all medications you are taking (both prescription and non-prescription).

  If you have had previous plastic surgery.

 

Dr. Brill will assess your physical and emotional health and discuss your specific cosmetic goals for the procedure. The quality of your skin as well as amount of excess fat will be assessed at your consultation.  Dr. Brill, in some cases, orders routine laboratory tests prior to surgery.  During your consult, take this time to ask all the questions you have about the surgery you are considering.  He will be happy to address any concerns you may have such as:

 

 

A  Good Candidate:

The ideal candidate for a Thigh Lift or augmentation is a man or woman of any age who is otherwise in good health and is unsatisfied with the contour of his or her thigh area.  People with loose, sagging skin in the outer and inner thighs and with sagging buttocks are the best candidates for a Thigh and/or Buttock lift.

 

 

Procedure Details /Expectations:

Thigh lift surgery usually takes two to three hours to perform, depending on the severity of your condition and the amount of correction required.  After you are properly anesthetized, Dr. Brill will make the incisions necessary for removal of excess skin and fat.  Depending on the amount of improvement you desire, this incision may extend all the way around the thigh or only part of the way around the thigh in the groin crease between the trunk and the thigh.

 

After the incision has been made, Dr. Brill gently elevates the skin and fat off of the underlying muscles of the thighs and removes excess skin and fat and re-drapes the skin over the underlying muscles.  One or more drains may be placed beneath the incision.  These slender, rubber tubes assist in draining any fluid that may accumulate beneath the incision and delay your healing.  The incisions are carefully closed in multiple layers of strong sutures to minimize your scar.

 

A sterile dressing is applied to the incisions, and a compression garment is placed over your thighs.  This compression garment helps support your legs during healing, decreases post-operative swelling, and helps decrease any bruising that may occur.

 

 

Recovery:

After the procedure you will feel groggy.  You will be placed in a special compression garment to control swelling and help the newly-sculpted skin adhere to the tissue underneath.  Some of the stitches will be absorbable, and some may have to be removed during a follow-up visit.  After a brief stay in the recovery room, you will be allowed to go home.

 

For the first week following surgery, we advise our patients to avoid sitting to avoid stressing the area, and when seated, to use a cushion or inflatable ring. You will need to sleep on your stomach during this time as well. Returning to regular activities takes about two to four weeks, provided your work does not involve extensive sitting and avoid strenuous activity.

 

Initial healing usually occurs in 10-14 days.  Sutures are usually removed within the first 1-2 weeks.  Swelling and bruising gradually disappear over 2-3 weeks. 

 

You may experience moderate pain after this procedure. Pain medication, prescribed by Dr. Brill can help make you comfortable.  After a few days acetaminophen and/or ibuprofen may be all that you require.  But avoid aspirin as it can increase the risk of bleeding and bruising. The swelling is mild to moderate, and peaks at two to three days. Any stitches that are not absorbed will be removed after about a week.  While each person’s recovery is unique, the recovery period after a buttocks or thigh lift generally lasts one to two weeks. You'll probably be able to return to work in a week, and resume exercise within 4-6 weeks. Strenuous workouts and contact sports can be engaged in after about six weeks.  All swelling is gone in 3-6 months.  The scars fade in 6-12 months depending on your skin.

 

 

 

Other Options:

An additional procedure that may enhance the result is Liposuction of the area.  Many people suffer from both surplus fat and surplus skin.  In these cases one option is to treat by liposuction alone.  The healing process causes some tightening of the skin, but patients need to be aware that this tightening is only enough to compensate for the amount of fat removed.

When large volume liposuction is performed, it is best to treat specific areas of the body at the same time to maximize the result. For instance, it is best to combine liposuction of your back, love handle area and abdomen during one session, and your hips, inner and outer thighs and knees during another session.

 

Liposuction can be performed alone or in combination with skin tightening procedures such as tummy tucks, thigh lifts and body lifts. Traditional Abdominoplasties and Mini-Tummy Tucks are often performed with Liposuction of the hips and thighs for complete rejuvenation of that area, both front and back. Thigh Lifts are nicely complimented by Liposuction of the hips and abdomen.

 

 

 

Cost / Insurance:

 

These procedures are considered cosmetic and therefore not covered by insurance.

Approximate Cost Range: $5,000-$8,000 per procedure.  This price is only an average as fees vary according to patient needs.  At your consultation, you will be given exact fees, which include but are not limited to surgery, operating room, anesthesia related fees, and follow up visits.

 

** This is only an Average.  Fees vary according to patient needs.**

 

 

Frequently asked Questions:

How will I feel after Thigh Lift surgery?

You will probably feel tired, sleepy and suffer from pain especially in 1–3 days after the surgery. You will be prescribed pain medicine and antibiotics as a prevention of any potential infection.  You might also feel unhappy after a few days. This is normal and is caused due to the stress, general anesthesia, lack of patience with the healing problems, more pain than you expected.

What is recovery like following a Thigh Lift?

We advise that you rest for at least a week after your Thigh Lift procedure, and be extra careful when sitting. You will be in some pain and discomfort and will have swelling and bruising around the treated area for approximately 4 weeks. Scars will be red for the first few months, but they will gradually fade. Patients who have also had liposuction will have more swelling than those who only had the lift performed. The use of smaller cannulas during liposuction allows the fibrous connections between your skin and body to remain. These connections will contract over time, after which the excessive folds of skin will be gone.

How do I find out if a Thigh Lift is right for me?

An appointment with Dr. Brill is an opportunity to have an open and frank discussion about what aspects of your legs/thighs you are unhappy with and the improvements you would like to achieve.  Your general health will also be assessed and Dr. Brill will recommend the best course of treatment.  If you wish to have excess fat removed, rather than excess skin, liposuction may be a more suitable alternative.

 

How soon can I exercise after a Thigh Lift?

You should not participate in any exercise until approximately 4-6 weeks after your operation.

What if permanent scars are unacceptable to me?

Accepting the permanency of these scars is the biggest predicament for many people but, patients who do not regard this as a good "trade off" should not undergo Thigh Lift.

 

Notes:

The specific risks and the suitability of a Thigh Lift for a given individual can be determined only at the time of consultation.  All surgical procedures have some degree of risk.  Minor complications that do not affect the outcome occur occasionally. Major complications are rare.
 

Risks / Complications:

The most common risks associated with this type of surgery include, but are not limited to, a reaction to the anesthesia used, excessive bleeding, infection, visible scarring, possible asymmetry or irregularities, and possible changes in nerve sensation. The scars from an arm lift are permanent and may be visible in any position other than when the arms are hanging at the sides.

The specific risks and the suitability of this procedure for a given individual can be determined only at the time of consultation. All surgical procedures have some degree of risk. Minor complications that do not affect the outcome occur occasionally. Major complications are unusual.

 

 

If you are interested in a Thigh Lift or any other procedure, please call:

352-331-7987 or 1-800-428-8419

 

The information on this web site is only intended as an introduction to this procedure and should not be used to determine whether you will have the procedure performed nor as a guarantee of the result.  The best method of determining your options is to consult with Dr. Brill to answer specific questions related to your situation.  View our Web policy