Sometimes the effects of gravity or significant weight loss can result in areas of loose skin on the thighs, particularly the inner thigh. Many patients seek to address this issue, as they are concerned about:
- the feeling of loose tissue wobbling as they move.
- self-consciousness whilst exercising.
- dissatisfaction with the shape of their upper legs in fitted clothing.
For these patients, it may be reasonable to consider a thigh lift procedure.
What can I expect
A thigh lift is a common procedure to reshape the contour of the lower limb above the knee, predominantly the inner thigh. This involves reducing the lax skin and underlying fatty tissue, whilst leaving all the underlying muscle intact. This can be performed by excision alone, or in combination with liposuction to allow smoother shaping. It is important to note this procedure doesn’t extend past the knee. Thigh lift is most often undertaken as part of a comprehensive body contouring plan following significant weight loss, and as such, we often need to plan at what stage this should be performed.
What happens before surgery?
On the day of surgery, you will be checked in and all details confirmed. You’ll see the Anaesthetist and discuss your plan for pain relief. Richard will make some markings on the operative sites to guide during surgery, then pre-operative photographs before you go into theatre. As thigh lift is often part of a whole-patient approach to body contouring, there may be other operative sites that also need to be marked. Once everything is ready for you, you’ll be taken into the operating theatre.
What happens during surgery?
Thigh lift surgery is performed under general anaesthetic, and may be combined with other procedures during the same anaesthetic. Once all our pre-operative safety checks are complete and anaesthesia carefully underway, the excess skin is removed from the upper inner thigh, extending most of the way down towards the knee. Sometimes, liposuction is used to fine tune the result. In the end, a fine line surgical incision is closed along the inner surface of the thigh, and just below the groin crease where it is least conspicuous. Compression garments are applied before you are gently woken up and taken to the recovery area. Occasionally, Richard uses surgical drains to remove any excess fluid over the next day or so.
What happens after surgery?
Most thigh lift patients choose to stay in hospital overnight to recover. Expect swelling in your legs and feet. Major discomfort is very unlikely, and thigh lift is generally well tolerated. Elevating your legs and an ‘active rest’ is best, where you move around the house and only do very light activities of daily living, with no lifting or straining for the first month. Most patients can return to office-based work after around 1-2 weeks whilst six weeks or so are needed before any lower body gym workouts or running.
As in all body contouring surgery following significant weight loss, the post-operative scars may stretch or migrate over time, as tension dissipates and the skin stretches.
Possible complications:
The decision to undergo thigh lift surgery should only be made after considering if the potential benefits can achieve your aims, and whether the risks are acceptable to you. The possible risks/ complications of thigh lift include (but are not limited to):
- Cardiac problems, including heart attack or arrythmias.
- Venous thromboembolism (including deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, which may be fatal).
- Surgical site infection.
- Haematoma/ seroma requiring return to theatre.
- Wound breakdown, delayed healing or protruding sutures. This may take a considerable time to settle.
- Conspicuous scars, including hypertrophic, stretched or migrated scars.
- Possible need for revisional surgery. Richard will only consider revising your thigh lift if he believes:
- there is a definable structural issue,
- this issue is realistically able to be improved with surgery and
- the risk of revisional surgery causing a worse result are minimal.
- Dissatisfaction with the degree of thigh tightening.
- Knee bulge.
- Contour asymmetry.
- Compression neuropathy or nerve injury.