Thigh Lift

What Happens during Surgery?

Thigh lift surgery takes around two hours and is carried out under general anesthetic.  It requires a night or two’s stay in hospital so you can be monitored and any fluids drained from the wound. 

The exact positioning of incisions depends on the extent and amount of skin and any underlying fatty tissue to remove.  Mostly, incisions are made underneath the buttocks and with the crease of the groin area to be less visible.  If you have more a more extensive area of skin to remove and area to contour, an incision may run from the buttock to the back of the knee.  This will result in a large, vertical scar. 

The surgeon works to remove excess skin, and may excise (cut away) tissue or use liposuction to remove excess fat.  Generally liposuction is performed some time before a thigh lift so the extent of loose skin can be assessed. 

In most procedures, it’s common to find incisions in the groin and running downwards to wrap behind the back of the thigh.  The surgeon then moulds underlying tissue and reshapes and drapes the skin into position, removing (excising) the excess. 

If you require only minimal lift, the surgeon performs a ‘medial thigh lift’ which requires an incision in the groin area only. 

If you need to improve the contours of your outer thigh, you may have an incision from the groin around the hip.

Finally, your skin is sutured into place, either with permanent or absorbable stitches.  Your thigh is dressed and then covered in firm support bandages to alleviate swelling and pain and help prevent any blood clots.  You will have drainage tubes to remove any fluid build up in the wound.  These are usually removed within a day or two. 

Alternative procedures

It may be that you only need liposuction to remove excess fat in your thigh.

Recovery / Convalescence

Most people undergoing thigh lifts are heartened by the results and may have the added benefit of renewed self confidence as a result of their surgery.   Your thigh lift operation will reveal a much firmer, sleeker, and toned appearance to your upper arms.  However, you may have to be patient and wait some weeks or even months to see the full results of your surgery as your thigh skin adjusts to new contours and the immediate swelling and pain subside.

If you avoid weight fluctuations and remain in generally good health, then there is every likelihood that your thigh lift surgery, although a fairly major operation with immediate discomfort, will prove worthwhile and give you the desired results for years to come. 

The average time for thigh lift surgery to heal is six weeks.  You can expect to be able to return to near normal routine within two weeks, but it depends on the nature of your work. 

What to expect immediately

You will probably require a one- or possibly two-night stay in hospital and you will experience some pain at first as well as swelling and bruising.  Your thighs will be dressed with gauze and you may have had drains inserted to remove any build up of fluids.  These are generally removed around five days to a week after surgery, while stitches are removed within one to two weeks.   The gauze may be replaced at this stage with a light support bandage which you will need to wear for around three weeks. 

You will be advised to walk gently around to help stimulate your circulation and thereby reduce the risk of blood clots, but not to undergo exercise that can damage the wounds. 

The position of the incisions exposes them to greater risk of infection than with other types of cosmetic surgery.  It is important that you take care of the wounds and use antiseptic wash on the healing area whenever you use the toilet.  You will need to apply fresh light dressings afterwards, which can be held in place either by your compression stocking or a support hose.  You may be prescribed oral antibiotics as well. 

You will be advised to convalesce for up to three weeks, so plan in advance and prepare by informing friends, family and work colleagues.  You may feel able to return to work within seven to 10 days.  You may well need home care post-op, so ensure you have reliable assistance close at hand as you convalesce.

Long-term care

Scars will be prominent at first, and even worsen for anything up to six months before they fade to acceptable levels at around a year.  Again, this is normal with thigh lift surgery.  You should find the scars are less visible than you think. 

You should not resume more exercise for at least not before a month after your operation.  Mild and normal activity levels are generally possible within that time.   The rate at which you recover depends on your general health and the type of surgery you underwent.  Always seek advice from your surgeon to clarify your particular situation. If you experience long-term pain and swelling or have any abnormal symptoms or side effects, you must contact your surgeon.

Safety

Thigh lift surgery is rarely associated with serious risks and complications.  But, as with all cosmetic surgery, there are risks from the surgery itself.  You will have some discomfort after the operation so ensure you are fully informed about post-operative care and are aware of any possible complications.

You may also feel that the outcome is not what you intended.  There are no guarantees in cosmetic surgery, but rest assured that the majority of people find the benefits of thigh lift surgery are relatively long term and they feel physically and psychologically better having opted for it.  Most complications are temporary and relate to post-operative infections, or are due to ongoing pain and swelling. 

There are some other risks and complications you need to be aware of and discuss at consultation stage. 

All cosmetic surgery carries the risk of:

• Infection
• Allergic reaction to anesthetics or analgesics
• Lack of wound healing (excessive bleeding – hematoma)
• Blood clot (possibly deep vein thrombosis, or cardiac or pulmonary risk)
• Fluid accumulation
• Ongoing, excessive pain
• The need for further, possibly corrective, surgery
• Uneven healing of the scar tissue or raised scar tissue (keloids)

What are the risks in Arm Lift surgery?

Scarring

Scars will be bright pink for some time, and take up to a year to fade to acceptable levels.  If you notice they heal over the longer term in ridges (keloids), consult your surgeon as you may need minor corrective surgery.  If you find that leakage occurs from the scars, again, consult your surgeon as you may need antibiotics.

Uneven thigh contours

It is possible, though rare, that the fat and skin removal has left an uneven look to your thighs with one seeming larger than the other. The surgeon will have ensured even tightening, repositioning and contouring.  The unevenness may be caused by some fat cells dying (fat necrosis – see below) as a result of the surgical intervention. 

Recurrent looseness of skin

This may or may not be due to the surgery. Ageing and weight loss can cause loose skin.  If it is immediately noticable though you may require corrective surgery. 

Numbness

It is possible that the intervention has caused some nerve damage and possibly numbness. This can be temporary or permanent.  It may be the result also of fat or skin necrosis.  Advise your surgeon if symptoms persist. 

Fat necrosis

This occurs at trauma spots caused during surgery when the blood supply to the remaining fat and skin may get damaged.  While rare, this can lead to the death of fat cells, which causes raised hard lumps.  Occasionally, an internal infection can result in these areas.

Skin necrosis

This occurs when the skin is stretched and the underlying blood supply is damaged.  This is more likely to occur if the patient is a smoker or has diabetes.