Thigh lift surgery is the perfect way to bring a youthful look back to your legs! A thigh lift is a form of body contour. This procedure returns the natural contours of your thighs and buttocks. Ageing, weight loss and pregnancy can all cause natural flaccidity of the soft tissues such as the thigh area.
During thigh lift surgery, excess skin and fat are removed from around the thigh to give it a tighter and smoother look. Your surgeon will recommend where the incision marks should go to ensure that they are well hidden and do not affect your day to day life! Generally, scars are hidden in the crease of the groin (bikini line); in some cases, there is a vertical scar along the inside of the thigh. Although scars are permanent, they will fade over time and become less noticeable!
Thigh lift surgery is performed under general anaesthetic and will usually take around 2-3 hours depending on how much skin has to be removed.
Postoperative period
After the procedure, you will have a compression dressing over the area that has been operated on. A compression garment will need to be worn 24/7 for up to four weeks after surgery to ensure that you have a speedy and healthy recovery.
Time off and recovery
Take it easy for the first couple of days, gradually building up. There will be some bruising and discomfort, but this will gradually improve. You should be able to return to normal moderate activities after four weeks. With full healing you could go swimming after two weeks but leave more strenuous exercise until after six weeks and avoid driving for the first two weeks after the operation. It is important that you organise time off work before you have the surgery allowing to time recover.
What you need to be aware of
As with any surgical procedure, there can occasionally be complications. Make sure that you discuss and go over any possible risks with your surgeon before you go ahead with the surgery. Some of the most common complications of thigh lift surgery include:
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scarring
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bleeding
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seroma (pocket of serous fluid)
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infection
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asymmetry
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altered sensation
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blood clots in legs and lungs
Occasionally, over time the skin can start to sag again. The chances of any complication can be reduced by observing the postoperative recommendations above. Smoking is also a risk factor and will have a major impact on your recovery time. This subject is always fully discussed during your initial consultation.
This article is intended to inform and give insight but not treat, diagnose or replace the advice of a doctor. Always seek medical advice with any questions regarding a medical condition.
