Thigh Lift
Who is the Ideal Candidate for a Thigh Lift?
The most successful candidates for a Thigh Lift are those who:
- Have achieved a stable, healthy weight and maintained it for six months or more.
- Suffer from significant loose, non-elastic skin on the thighs (often referred to as ‘hanging’ or ‘pendulous’ tissue).
- Have limited response to liposuction alone (as liposuction addresses fat but not excess skin).
- Are psychologically prepared to accept the necessary surgical scarring in exchange for a dramatic improvement in shape and comfort.
Types of Thigh Lift Procedures
Thigh contouring is highly individualized. Our surgeon will recommend the technique that precisely targets your problem areas while minimizing the visibility of scarring.
1. Medial (Inner) Thigh Lift
Focus: The most common type, targeting sagging skin on the inner thigh.
Incision Placement: The incision is carefully placed high in the groin crease, extending down the inner thigh fold. This position allows the scar to be hidden beneath underwear or swimwear.
Result: Lifts and tightens the skin from the groin down to the knee, dramatically improving the inner thigh profile and eliminating chafing.
2. Extended/Vertical Thigh Lift
Focus: Addresses extreme skin laxity, often seen after massive weight loss.
Incision Placement: Requires the medial incision (in the groin) combined with a vertical incision that runs down the inner thigh towards the knee. This creates an L- or T-shaped scar.
Result: Necessary when a significant circumference of skin must be removed to create a firm, taut leg. While the scarring is more extensive, the improvement in body shape and function is profound.
3. Lateral and Outer Thigh Lift
Focus: Targets skin laxity on the outer side and front of the thigh.
Incision Placement: This procedure often requires an incision that wraps around the hip and buttock crease (similar to a lower body lift).
Result: Improves the overall contour of the outer leg and buttock connection, often performed as part of a comprehensive body lift after bariatric surgery.
Combination with Liposuction
In many cases, the Thigh Lift procedure is combined with liposuction to remove residual, localized fat pockets. This combination ensures not only skin tightness but also a smoothly sculpted contour, optimizing the final result.
Thigh Lift
The Procedure and Our Commitment to Scar Management
Our surgeon utilizes meticulous, advanced surgical techniques to perform the deepest tissue work while closing the skin under minimal tension. This commitment to technique is essential for achieving the most aesthetic and flat scars possible.
- Customized Planning: The procedure is performed under general anesthesia. Before the surgery, the incision lines are precisely mapped out while you are standing to account for gravity and ensure the best final contours.
- Secure Suturing: Deep internal sutures are used to anchor the underlying tissues to the stable structures of the body. This critical step supports the newly contoured skin, minimizes tension on the surface incisions, and aids in long-term scar quality.
Recovery
Most patients require 1 to 2 weeks off work. You will be placed into a compression garment immediately after surgery, which must be worn consistently for several weeks to minimize swelling and support the new contours. While walking will be encouraged early on, strenuous activity must be avoided for 4-6 weeks.
