Industry Associations:
Thighlift
By Dr. Mark P. Kohout Published: 11/03/2010
Thighlift
If you are considering surgery we want you to be thoroughly informed about this procedure. Reading this information is the first step. However, a personal consultation with your surgeon is the best way to obtain any additional information you need.
What is thighlift?
Cosmetic surgery of the inner thigh is also called
Thighlift. It is designed to firm up and smooth
your inside legs. The procedure removes excess
thigh skin and fat. The result is a flatter thigh
profile.
Is thighlift for me?
Women and men who have loose thigh skin and
fat that is concentrated in the inner thigh can
benefit from a thighlift. The purpose of thighlift
is to eliminate the bulge on the upper thigh and
to tighten loose skin in this area. Sometimes
these conditions are inherited. In other instances,
substantial weight loss or simply ageing may cause
thigh skin to become flaccid. Younger women
can often have bulging in the upper inside thigh
that can lead to chaffing and rubbing. Following
weight loss, the skin may fall in loose folds.
Any of the following conditions may make you
are a good candidate for thighlift:
• Excess or sagging thigh skin
• An thigh skin that protrudes and is out
of proportion to the rest of your body
• Excess fatty tissue that is concentrated in
your thigh
Initial consultation
During the initial consultation, you may be asked
to point out exactly what you would like to see
improved. This will help your plastic surgeon to
understand your expectations and determine
whether they can be realistically achieved.
You will be asked about your medical history
including previous operations, past and present
medical conditions and current medications. In
order to provide you with the best information
and safest options, it is important that you give
your surgeon complete information. The medical
conditions that may increase risks of surgery
include high blood pressure, thyroid problems,
diabetes and bleeding problems.
Your plastic surgeon may examine your thigh
while you are standing as well as lying down. Your
skin tone and the degree of loose skin in the thigh
region will be assessed. Your surgeon also will
evaluate the amount of excess fat in your thigh.
Preoperative photographs may be taken during
your initial consultation or a subsequent visit.
Your surgeon will discuss with you the details
of the operation and the possible risks and
complications associated with the procedure.
Preparation for surgery
The goal of your plastic surgeon and the staff
is to make your surgical experience as easy and
comfortable for you as possible.
Smokers will be asked to stop smoking 3
weeks before surgery. Aspirin and some
anti-inflammatory drugs used for the treatment of
arthritis can cause increased bleeding, so you
should avoid taking these medications for 2 weeks
before surgery.
Thighlift is usually performed in a hospital under
general anaesthetic and you can expect several
days’ stay.
The day of surgery
Your surgeon will mark your skin before the
operation and if you have not already done so,
you will need to sign the consent form for your
operation. Medications are administered for your
comfort during the surgical procedure. During
the anaesthetic, various monitors are used to
check your heart, blood pressure, pulse and the
amount of oxygen circulating in your blood.
Your operation
Because of individual factors, not everyone will
achieve the same results from thighlift. Your
plastic surgeon will select the surgical technique
that he or she feels will obtain the best outcome
for you. Incision lines will fade over time but will
be permanently visible. Thighlift incisions usually
can be placed in locations concealed by bathing
suits and undergarments.
Thighlift can be combined with other procedures,
such as liposuction of the flanks, outer thighs and/
or arms.
Where will the incisions be?
The usual placement of the incisions follows the
groin crease, around the junction of the inner
thigh and the perineum, to the buttock crease at
the back. The exact incision will vary somewhat
according to the shape of your thigh. The
incision is often designed to curve around the
pubic hairline to prevent the descent of the scar.
The scar is usually hidden in the groin crease and
the buttock fold to be invisible while standing
up.
Sometimes liposuction may be used alone, or in
conjunction with thighlift, to remove thigh fat.
How long does the operation
take?
The operation takes 2 to 3 hours, depending on
the extent of each operation.
After Surgery
When surgery is completed, you will be taken
into a recovery area where you will continue to
be closely monitored. You will have a firm thigh
bandage or a compression garment, which you
will have to keep on for 3-6 weeks after surgery
as instructed by your surgeon.
You will feel drowsy for several hours after the
procedure and you will remember very little of
this time.
It will be very important for you to get out of bed
and walking as soon as possible after the operation
to minimise the chance of clots forming your leg
veins. Although you may not be able to stand up
completely straight, it is best if you do not sit for
long periods of time during the first several days.
Straining, bending and lifting must be avoided,
since these activities might cause increased
swelling or even bleeding. You may be instructed
to sleep on your back with a pillow under your
knees. Although you will find that mobilisation
is a little slow at first, you should expect to be
walking normally within five days even after
extensive surgery.
Any surgical drains probably will be removed
within a week following surgery, at which time
your dressings may also be changed or removed.
How will I look and feel
initially?
It is important to realise that the amount of
time it takes for recovery varies greatly among
individuals and also depends on the extent of the
operation.
The stitches are usually hidden beneath the skin
so that no sutures need to be removed following
surgery.
You will notice swelling and bruising, which is
to be expected. The bruising and much of the
swelling will disappear over a period of weeks.
However, it may be months before all swelling
subsides and you see the final result of your
thighlift. You may also notice some numbness
over portions of the thigh area, and this may
persist for several months. Incisions will initially
be red or pink in colour. They will remain this
way for many months following surgery and may
even appear to worsen before they finally begin
to fade.
Some numbness below the suture line may persist
for months after surgery. The thigh skin may feel
quite tight for some time but the is feeling will
gradually lessen and relax. You may also notice
that there is pulling while you are trying to sit
down. This s due to strong stitches holding up the
thigh skin and keeping it anchored to the strong
framework of the pelvic bones.
When can I resume my normal
activities?
You may be able to return to light work
anywhere from one to three weeks after surgery.
In many instances, you can resume most of your
normal activities, including some form of mild
exercise, after a few weeks. You may continue to
experience some mild, periodic discomfort and
swelling during this time, but such feelings are
normal. Severe pain should be reported to your
doctor. You should avoid sexual activity for a
minimum of two weeks.
Results of your surgery
Since the healing process is gradual, you should
expect to wait at least several weeks to get an
accurate picture of the results of your surgery.
Incisions will fade over a number of months.
Unless you gain or lose a significant amount
of weight or become pregnant, your thigh
should remain firmer and flatter for many years.
However, gravity and the effects of ageing will
eventually take their toll. If, after a period of years,
you become dissatisfied with the appearance of
your thigh, you may choose to undergo a second
procedure to restore a more youthful body
contour.
Risks and possible complications
of surgery
Fortunately, significant complications from
thighlift surgery are infrequent. Every year, many
operations are performed with no major problems
and good results. However, everyone considering
surgery should be aware of both the benefits
and risks. The subject of risks and potential
complications of surgery is best discussed on
a personal basis between you and your plastic
surgeon. A number of measures will be in place
to minimise the following risks:
• Bleeding may occur. At worst, this will
require return to the operating theatre to
evacuate the blood clot and to stop the
bleeding.
• There will be bruising after surgery. This
usually settles after approximately 2 weeks
• Wound infection may complicate
the operation in approximately 5% of
operations. The infection is usually treated
with antibiotics, oral or intravenous,
depending on its severity.
• Dehiscence or reopening of the wound
may occur in about 1-5 percent of
operations. This usually happens as a result
of infection and is managed by treating
the infection.
• Collection of blood or fluid under the
operated skin. Because thighlift is usually
an extensive operation, blood can collect
under the repositioned thigh skin. This
usually happens within the first 24 hours
after surgery. Rarely, it may require return
to the operating theatre. More commonly,
fluid collects under the skin without any
obvious ill effects. Removal of this serum
is a painless process but may require
several visits to the plastic surgeon’s office.
• Skin loss in the highest extent of
the repositioned thigh skin occurs in
approximately 2% of operations. This
complication is more common in smokers
and it is therefore very important that you
stop smoking at least two weeks before
surgery. Skin loss is also more common in
medical conditions such as diabetes.
• Fat underneath the skin may not survive
surgery and oily discharge may persist
from the wounds for some weeks after
surgery.
• Thighlift results in long scars. Wide,
lumpy or irregular scars may occur due
to the tension on the tissues after surgery.
Revisionary surgery is sometimes helpful
in certain instances where incisions may
have healed poorly.
• The scar, which is designed to lie in the
creases along the top of the thigh, my
descend in to the upper leg under the
action of gravity. This means that the
scar may, with time, no longer be hidden
within creases and may be visible outside
of underwear or swimming wear.
• Because of the proximity for the incision
to the labia, some distortion of the labia
may occur. This is generally temporary
but permanent distortion may occur.
• There may be numbness in the upper
part of your thigh skin after surgery. This
usually recovers with time.
• Because of tension on the pubic skin,
the pubic hairline may be changed after
surgery.
• Blood clots in leg veins may cause leg
swelling. The clots may travel to the lungs
causing severe breathing difficulty and,
rarely, death. With adequate precautions,
which are routinely taken, including,
medications, compression stockings and
early mobilisation, these complications are
uncommon.
You can help to minimise certain risks by
following the advice and instructions of your
plastic surgeon, both before and after your
surgery.
Maintaining a relationship with
your plastic surgeon
Should there be any questions regarding
thighlift; be sure they are answered in advance.
Well meaning friends are not a good source
of information. Find out everything before
proceeding with the operation - a well informed
patient is a happy one.
After surgery, you will return to your plastic
surgeon’s office for follow-up care at prescribed
intervals, at which time your progress can be
evaluated. Post-operative photographs will form
a part of the evaluation of your result. Once the
immediate postoperative follow-up is complete,
many surgeons encourage their patients to come
back for periodic check-ups to observe and
discuss the long-term results of surgery.
Please remember that the relationship with your
plastic surgeon does not end when you leave
the operating room. If you have questions or
concerns during your recovery, or need additional
information at a later time, you should contact
your surgeon.
