Thigh lift, or thighplasty, is a lower body contouring procedure that plastic surgeons use to eliminate loose skin and fat of the inner thigh to improve the overall shape of the thigh and make the skin smoother and tighter. Most patients have excess skin due to significant weight loss, commonly seen after bariatric surgery or weight loss medications. Others have a stubborn area of fullness or loose skin in the inner thigh that won’t go away with exercise.
Am I a Candidate for a Thigh Lift Procedure?
As with most types of body contouring procedures, it’s important that you be a healthy non-smoker who is at or close to your goal weight. A good candidate for a thigh lift has loose skin of the inner thighs without significant fat excess. Patients with substantial excess fat sometimes require staged liposuction and delayed thigh lift or pre-operative weight loss. Dr. MacLennan can examine you to determine which surgical option is right for you.
How Is the Surgery Done?
This procedure typically involves a combination of liposuction and skin removal to create the best contour. The incision is typically placed vertically along the inner part of the thigh, extends from the groin crease to the inner knee, and may have an L-shaped extension into the groin crease at the front of the thigh. The best incision is dependent on the patient’s anatomy and the location of skin excess. Many patients are also concerned about the fullness of the inner knee, which can be addressed with liposuction at the same time as the thigh lift. No drain is typically required for a thigh lift.
What Is Recovery Like?
Recovery is well-tolerated by most people. Thigh lifts are notorious for having small areas of slow healing due to the tension on the incisions, the moisture and movement in the upper inner thigh, and the multiple layers of stitches necessary. We have some tricks up our sleeve to help with those potential issues, and most patients heal great after a short recovery period. We recommend at least 2 weeks off work, and longer for jobs requiring physical exertion. Patients can be up and walking from day one, wearing compression garments or leggings to help with the swelling. As long as the incisions have good early healing, light cardio and weightlifting can gradually be resumed, with full activity by 4 weeks. After surgery, patients wear a compression garment or Spanx for several weeks to reduce swelling.
Learn More About Body Contouring Surgery Options
If you are interested in a thigh lift, Dr. MacLennan can answer any questions you may have during a consultation. Call Mountain Lake Plastic Surgery at (802) 231-4284 or contact us online to set up your appointment.
