Thigh lift involves removing the excess skin and fat on the inner thigh which can interfere with walking and other day-to-day activities. When people undergo significant weight loss, either through dieting or bariatric surgery, they will often be left with folds of excess skin and fat. The inner thigh skin is also one of the areas most affected following weight-loss.
What does the operation involve?
The operation is carried out under general anaesthesia. During the procedure, a marked area on the medial aspect of the thigh is treated with liposuction and the layers of excess skin and fat are removed. The skin edges are then stitched together over drains, resulting in a scar within the groin. On occasion depending on the amount of skin excess a further area may need to be removed resulting in a scar running from knee to groin on the inside of the thigh. Tissue glue and a padded dressing is placed on the scar, and all patients are put in an elasticated compression garment.
How long do the results last?
The results are usually lifelong but may be impacted by weight change/pregnancy and ageing.
What are the risks of thigh lift?
There is a significant amount of evidence that suggests a strong association between smoking, high body mass index (BMI), hormone therapy and diabetes on increasing complications, particularly wound healing, infection and deep venous thromboembolism (DVT). Minor wound Infection and wound dehiscence are the most common complications, followed by bleeding and/or seroma formation. Occasionally some excess skin and fat remains at the corner of the scars termed “dog ears”, and these can be removed under local anaesthesia once the scar has settled. Mr Saour will discuss the potential risks during your consultation.
Facts for Thigh lift
Surgery duration
3 hours
Type of anaesthesia
general anaesthetic
Compression/support garment
yes
Time in hospital
1-2 nights
Time off work
2 weeks
Recovery time
4-6 weeks
First follow up appoinment
1 week
What does the operation involve?
The operation is carried out under general anaesthesia. During the procedure, a marked area on the medial aspect of the thigh is treated with liposuction and the layers of excess skin and fat are removed. The skin edges are then stitched together over drains, resulting in a scar within the groin. On occasion depending on the amount of skin excess a further area may need to be removed resulting in a scar running from knee to groin on the inside of the thigh. Tissue glue and a padded dressing is placed on the scar, and all patients are put in an elasticated compression garment.
How long do the results last?
The results are usually lifelong but may be impacted by weight change/pregnancy and ageing.
What are the risks of thigh lift?
There is a significant amount of evidence that suggests a strong association between smoking, high body mass index (BMI), hormone therapy and diabetes on increasing complications, particularly wound healing, infection and deep venous thromboembolism (DVT). Minor wound Infection and wound dehiscence are the most common complications, followed by bleeding and/or seroma formation. Occasionally some excess skin and fat remains at the corner of the scars termed “dog ears”, and these can be removed under local anaesthesia once the scar has settled. Mr Saour will discuss the potential risks during your consultation.
Facts for Thigh lift
Surgery duration : 3 hours
Type of anaesthesia : general anaesthetic
Compression/support garment : yes
Time in hospital : 1-2 nights
Time off work : 2 weeks
Recovery time : 4-6 weeks
First follow up appointment : 1 week
Once you have decided you are interested in cosmetic surgery
Mr Saour’s aim is to help you look and feel your best through high quality personalised care.
You will receive all the information preoperatively allowing you to make an informed decision.
Understanding the benefits, implications and potential risks of any type of surgery is of paramount importance.