What Is A Thigh Lift?

What is at thigh lift surgical procedure? How does it go? Who are good candidates? Here we find out more about it.

Understanding the Basics

Who knows? Maybe you might benefit from it too. Thigh lift is a surgical procedure that aims to reshape the thighs by reducing excess skin, and in some cases, fat too. This results in smoother skin and better-proportioned contours of the thighs and lower body. In general, good candidates for this procedure include:

• People whose weight is relatively stable
• Individuals with excess soft tissue along the inner or medial thigh region and/or the outer thigh
• Healthy individuals who do not have medical conditions that impair healing or increase risk of surgery
• Non-smokers

If you fulfill the above criteria, then you may undergo the procedure with minimal risks.

Some of the known risks include:

• Poor wound healing
• Bleeding
• Infection
• Deep vein thrombosis
• Fat necrosis
• Skin discoloration
• Swelling
• Unfavorable scarring
• Numbness

So how does the procedure go?  First, anesthetics are given so that you won't feel any pain. The options include intravenous sedation and general anesthesia.

Next, the plastic surgeon performs an incision which is usually done in the groin, extending downward and wrapping around the back of the thigh. The underlying tissue will then be reshaped and tightened, and skin will be reduced and re-draped resulting in more proportionate and smoother body contours. Finally, sutures are placed within underlying tissues to help form the newly shaped contours and to close the incisions.

Recovery involves applying dressings or bandages over the incisions, and you may also be wrapped in an elastic bandage or a compression garment to minimize swelling. You will be then instructed on how to care for the surgical site, as well as medications to apply or take orally. Interested in undergoing thigh lift? Do talk to your plastic surgeon if you want more information or if you have questions.