: Admin : 2022-03-02
A Thigh Lift or thighplasty is an invasive cosmetic surgery procedure that is done to remove excess and unwanted skin and fat from the thigh area of one’s leg. It results in smoother skin and better-proportioned contours of the lower half of your body, namely thighs.
A lot of the time, only workouts, fitness and weight control efforts do not work for certain people. What works for one may not be equally effective for another due to different body types, shapes, health etc. This leaves the decision to get a thigh lift very subjective. If you have exhausted your healthy and non-invasive options and have not been able to achieve your desired body type, you can turn to surgery. To help achieve your goals for a body that is firmer, more youthful-looking and more proportionate to your overall body image, a surgical lift may be right for you.
There are several factors that determine whether one is a good candidate for surgery. The factors for a thigh lift are as follows:-
Thigh lifts remove excess skin and fat, but there are different types that are achieved via different incisions. The type of thigh lift you go through with will depend on your body type, shape, contours and results you want to achieve. Your provider will help you choose the best surgery to meet your individual needs. Below are the different types of thigh lifts to consider.
A medial thigh lift is the most common form of this cosmetic surgery. It addresses sagging skin in your inner thighs via an incision from your groin down toward your knee or toward the back of your thigh area.
Depending on your individual needs, your surgeon may determine that you qualify for a mini thigh lift. This procedure requires fewer incisions than other types of thigh lifts, only involving an incision in your groin area. It works well if you’re wanting to focus on the upper-inner part of your thigh only.
An outer thigh lift addresses the outside portions of your thighs. The procedure involves an incision that starts in your groin area, then extends outward to your hip and lower back area.
If you’re looking to address a lot of excess skin in all areas of your thighs, you may consider a vertical thigh lift. It requires larger incisions that extend down to your knees. However, due to a higher risk of complications, your surgeon may not recommend this type of thigh lift.
In some cases, the thigh area may have poor skin elasticity. Your surgeon may recommend liposuction in addition to thigh lift surgery to help remove excess fat cells and prevent sagging skin.
For a thighplasty, the surgeon will mark the thighs before surgery while the patient is standing. In all types of thighplasty, the incision is sutured shut with deep sutures to ensure that there is no sagging after the incisions heal. The scar from the surgery is hidden in the groin crease, beneath the bikini line. During the procedure, drains are put in place that allows excess fluid to drain after surgery. The drains are usually removed after several days.
If the outer thigh is to be targeted, thighplasty sometimes includes lifting the entire thigh and buttock (circumferential lower body lift). This procedure requires longer incisions than thighplasty, but Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons are experts and working towards ensuring the most effective results possible.
If there is an excessive amount of fatty tissue, liposuction may be performed before a thighplasty. If several months after liposuction a thighplasty is still recommended, it can then be performed.
The average cost of thigh lift surgery is $5,735, according to 2021 statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. This average cost is only part of the total price – it does not include anaesthesia, operating room facilities or other related expenses. Please consult with your plastic surgeon's office to determine your final fee.
A surgeon's fee for thigh lift surgery will be based on his or her experience, the type of procedure used and the geographic office location. The overall cost may also vary depending on where you live, the type of thigh lift you choose, and your surgeon’s overall experience.
It’s very important not to settle for an inexperienced surgeon for the sake of saving money. Using a surgeon unfamiliar with the procedure could increase the risk for side effects and unsatisfactory work, which could cost even more in the long run.
Most health insurance plans do not cover thigh lift surgery or its complications, but many plastic surgeons offer patient financing plans, so be sure to ask.
You’ll be put under general anaesthesia during the procedure. Your surgeon will make the appropriate incisions based on the type of thigh lift you’ve chosen. Then, they’ll cut out excess skin and fat cells before inserting sutures to close up your wounds.
On average, the entire procedure takes 2 hours to complete. Since you’ll also spend several hours in both pre-op and post-op, you should expect the entire process to take up most of the day. In case you do not get your surgery in an in-patient hospital/centre, make sure you have someone to drive you to and from the destination of your surgery.
Essential personnel for this procedure include the primary surgeon, 1 or 2 surgical assistants, a circulating/operating room nurse, a surgical technologist, an anesthesiologist and most importantly, the patient. Airway management should be discussed with the anesthesiologist prior to starting the procedure. The personnel can also depend on the kind of procedure, availability etc.
A thigh lift procedure includes the following steps:
Medications like your local anaesthesia are administered for your comfort during surgical procedures. The options include intravenous sedation and general anesthesia. Your doctor will recommend the best option for you.
Once you are down, the surgeon will go over the incisions with a scalpel and begin the procedure. Incision patterns vary based on the area or areas to be treated, degree of correction and patient and surgeon preference.
One technique used for a thigh lift places incisions in the groin, extending downward and wrapping around the back of the thigh. Another technique removes excess skin from the groin down to the knee using an incision along the inseam. You may also qualify for a minimal incision inner thigh lift that involves an incision only in the groin area. Your plastic surgeon will determine what's appropriate.
Improving the contours of the outer thigh may require an incision extending from the groin around the hip and across the back. Advanced techniques usually allow incisions to be placed in strategic locations where they can be hidden by most types of clothing and swimsuits. However, incisions may be extensive. After the surgeon is done with the invasive part of the surgery, he will sew your incisions. Deep sutures within underlying tissues help to form and support the newly shaped contours. Sutures, skin adhesive tapes or clips may be used to close the skin incisions.
The smoother tighter contouring that results from a thigh lift is apparent almost immediately, although initially obscured by swelling and bruising.
The decision to have plastic surgery is extremely personal, and you'll have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks and potential complications of thigh lift surgery are acceptable.
Your plastic surgeon and/or staff will explain in detail the risks associated with surgery. You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure and any risks and potential complications.
Possible thigh lift surgery risks include:
During your recovery from thigh lift surgery, dressings/bandages may be applied to your incisions following the procedure.
Small, thin tubes may be temporarily placed under the skin to drain excess fluid or blood that may collect.
You will be given specific instructions. You will also be taught how to care for the surgical site(s) and be given medications to apply or take orally to aid healing. You will be taught to look out for specific concerns to look for at the surgical site or in your general health and dates for when to follow up with your plastic surgeon.
Like other cosmetic surgeries, thigh lifts are considered major procedures and you’ll need to take time off work to recover. You’ll likely experience pain, bruising, and swelling for a few days after the procedure. You should notice more contour to your thighs right away, but you won’t see full results for several months.
Recovery time depends on the extent of the procedure, although most patients experience minimal pain that is alleviated with medication. In all cases, patients should rest as much as possible and avoid leg movement. Patients should plan to take seven to 10 days off work to recover. Bruising and swelling are usually gone within a month and patients are able to return to all normal activities within four to six months.
For recovery at home, if you experience any shortness of breath, chest pains or unusual heartbeats, seek medical attention immediately. Should any of these complications occur, you may require hospitalization and additional treatment. Following your physician's instructions is key to the success of your surgery. It is important that the surgical incisions are not subjected to excessive force, swelling, abrasion or motion during the time of healing. Your doctor will give you specific instructions on how to care for yourself.
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