Thigh lift

Thigh lift, or thighplasty, is a contouring procedure that eliminates loose skin and fat of the inner thigh to improve the overall shape of the thigh and make skin smoother and tighter. There are several reasons why patients might be interested in this procedure. Some patients have excess skin due to aging or significant weight loss. Others have a stubborn area of fullness in the inner thigh that won’t go away with exercise.

Am I a Candidate for a Thigh Lift?

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 and Dr. Schmidt can perform an examination 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 can be placed either vertically along the inner part of the thigh or horizontally along the groin crease. The best incision is dependent on the patient’s anatomy and location of skin excess. Many patients are also concerned about fullness of the inner knee which can be addressed at the same time as the thigh lift. No drain is required for a thigh lift.

What Is Recovery Like?

Recovery is well-tolerated by most people. We recommend 1-2 weeks off work, and longer for jobs requiring physical exertion. Patients have an active recovery from day one, but activity is restricted to walking only in the first two weeks. Then, cardio and weightlifting can gradually be resumed, with full activity by 4-6 weeks. After surgery, patients wear a compression garment or Spanx for several weeks to reduce swelling.

If you are interested in a thigh lift, Dr. Schmidt or 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.

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