Thigh Lift

One of the most common complaints I hear from my patients during body contouring consultations is the appearance of loose or baggy skin along the inner thigh resulting from massive weight loss. It occurs, on average, because the skin of the inner thigh has less elasticity than other parts of the body, such as the face. As a result, patients who lose a large amount of weight, especially gastric bypass patients or gastric balloon patients, are likely to be left with this problem. It can also occur after large amounts of liposuction/liposculpture or as part of the normal process of ageing.

If you have developed this issue and it is making you too self-conscious to wear a swimming costume, for best results, you may want to consider a cosmetic Thigh Lift procedure. In Thigh Lift plastic surgery, the excess skin along the inner thigh, be it the upper or outer part, is measured with a pinch technique and removed. The scar may be confined to the groin crease alone, extending posteriorly under the buttock crease, but it may also extend to the inner thigh. A compression garment is worn for eight weeks after a lift, to control swelling and promote healing during recovery. Massage and manual lymphatic drainage is actively encouraged after thigh lift surgery. Light activity such as walking is encouraged.

A medial, laterial or bilateral Thigh Lift can be performed alone or in combination with other body contouring procedures, such as liposuction, breast lift (mastopexy) or breast reduction. However, it is not advisable to have a Thigh Lift and tummy tuck, or a mini tummy tuck together because the skin is being pulled in opposite directions for each procedure and delays in healing could occur. Combined surgeries are very long and do potentially increase the complication rate so the decision for much bigger surgeries needs to be considered very carefully.