Thigh Lift

For firmer, sleeker, more youthful-looking thighs.  If you’ve tried exercise and diets with little effect, thigh lift surgery may be for you.

What is a Thigh Lift?

Thigh lifts are now routinely performed as cosmetic surgery procedures abroad.  Many people find that with ageing and particularly after drastic weight loss they have loose, sagging skin and tissue inside their thighs.   Thigh lift surgery, or thighplasty, works on the inner and back of the thigh.  Its aim is to give your thighs a firmer, sleeker altogether more youthful look.  If you have tried exercise and diets to improve thigh tone with little effect, thigh lift surgery may be the route to take.

The surgery is not aimed at fat removal so you may be recommended to have liposuction first.  Your surgeon will then assess the extent of any resulting loose skin, and advise you on whether a thigh lift is appropriate. 

Thigh lift surgery can have dramatic results. Most people having undergone the operation are comfortable wearing shorter or more closely-fitting clothing again without feeling self conscious.  You will have scarring, but your surgeon will endeavour to keep incisions around the groin area and underneath the buttocks to minimise visible scar tissue.  Occasionally, in more extensive operations, an incision is made from top of thigh to behind the knee resulting in vertical scarring too.

You can expect long lasting results from your thigh lift and your new contoured legs can give a much-need boost to your overall body image. 

Why you might consider Thigh Lift surgery

Thigh lift surgery is a routine cosmetic surgery procedure these days and primarily sought for emotional and psychological reasons.  You may feel that you can’t wear short or tighter clothing because of the way your inner thighs look, or the way they make you feel prematurely aged. 

It is carried out ideally on people over 18 years who have a mature outlook and realistic expectations of the results.  You should be your ideal weight before the operation as drastic weight loss later might nullify the results of your surgery by giving you further loose skin. 

Since thigh lift surgery does result in scarring, it is important to find out if it is right for you.  The procedure is aimed at removing loose and excess skin first and foremost.  It excess fat is your problem, it might be possible to firm and tone your thighs with liposuction alone, or by following an exercise programme.   Then and only then, will you be able to see if you need to consider thigh lift surgery. 

As with all cosmetic surgery, you should be in general good health and preferably be a non-smoker (or be prepared to refrain from smoking before and immediately after the operation to aid your recovery). 

Thigh lift surgery is suitable for people who:

• have tried regimes of dieting and/or exercise but failed to reduce fat or tighten muscle on their thigh tone
• see themselves as having excessive, sagging skin on their thighs in proportion to their overall body mass
• have sagging skin on lax thighs as a result of ageing
• are not obese and are in general good health
• are not planning to lose excessive weight post surgery (it is important to tell your surgeon about any diet or exercise regime you are planning). 

The results of a thigh lift are generally permanent, but only if you maintain a regular body weight following surgery.

As with all cosmetic procedures, how you consider your body image after surgery will be determined by your pre-surgery expectations.   Patients who have tried other methods to reduce fat and improve the tone of their thighs may be more satisfied with the results of their surgery than those who rely on the operation alone to correct their thigh shape.In all cases, it is wise to understand the limitations of the procedure since it is a fairly major operation that does result in visible scarring. 

Thigh Lift surgery will not necessarily:

• Prevent the ageing process from causing further muscle laxity and a build up of skin and fat again in the future.
• Prevent excess fat and lax skin caused by weight gain or fluctuations in the future.

The Consultation

It is important at the consultation with your surgeon that you establish your aims for having thigh lift surgery.  You need to explain clearly what physical and any psychological effects you expect from the surgery. 

Importantly, you will need to talk about the natural or hereditary aspects of any weight gain or fluctuations you have experienced.  Your surgeon will assess you and advise on the type of thigh lift surgery best suited to you – whether you require liposuction as well, and where the incisions (scarring) will be.

Be candid throughout the consultation and honest about any emotional issues relating to your proposed surgery.  As with all cosmetic surgery, it is important you think through the implications of your surgery and the effects on your well being, both immediately and longer term. You will need to be clear about the after care required as thigh lift surgery does require some weeks’ recovery.  You need to plan to be off work for around two weeks. 

What to expect from the surgeon

Be prepared to supply information on and/or discuss:

• Your expectations of the surgery
• Any medical conditions, drug allergies and medical treatments
• Use of current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco and drugs
• Any previous surgery
• Any family history that may be relevant such as hereditary characteristics of body frame, instances of obesity, and so on 

During the consultation, your surgeon is likely to:

• Assess your general health
• Evaluate any health conditions
• Examine your thighs from under buttock to knee and draw on it to indicate incision marks and likely post-operative positioning of the skin
• Discuss the likely results of your surgery
• Discuss the value of and any complications resulting from your thigh lift surgery
• Take photographs for medical records
• Talk about the type of anesthetic used, its effects etc

You may be asked in preparation for surgery to:

• Take or stop certain medications or adjust your current medications
• Have certain lab tests or further medical evaluation
• Refrain from smoking in advance of surgery
• Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding

Questions you should ask

It is important that you are fully informed of the after care, any possible complications and the likely results of your surgery.  You will also need to know how the procedure is carried out, in particular where incisions are made and where any scarring will be.  Below is a checklist of some key questions to ask:

• How will the surgery be performed? Where are incisions made and why?
• How do I best prepare for the operation
• Do I need assistance in post-operative care?
• What results can I expect?
• What side effects or complications may occur? 
• What discomfort will I have? 
• How will my thighs look immediately following surgery (bruising, swelling etc) and in the longer term?
• Are there any activities or environments I should avoid while I recover?
• Following the operation, how much exercise can I take and when can I start?  
• What other cosmetic procedures can I consider in conjunction with arm lift surgery?
• What instructions should I follow after the operation?