PROCEDURES

Fast Facts:

Length of procedure: 2 – 3 hours.
Type of anaesthesia: General anaesthetic.
Length of stay: Overnight, unless combined with other procedures.
What to expect post-op: Your thighs may have a burning sensation initially after surgery, and you will need to wear a supportive post-surgical garment for a few weeks post-surgery.
Recovery time: Light activity is permitted on day 2, and a full return to normal activities may take 4 weeks.
Results: Long-term, unless you experience significant variations in weight.

Who might benefit from a Thigh Lift?

Anyone with upper inner thighs that have redundant, loose, sagging skin, which may occur after weight loss or with increasing age due to loss of elasticity in the skin. This skin may appear overstretched or dimpled. Toning and shaping of the thigh muscles can give a good foundation for an attractive thigh, but only thigh surgery can adequately address the excess sagging skin.

What does a Thigh Lift surgery involve?

During your consultation, Dr Isabel do Vale will discuss and answer the questions you may have regarding thigh lift surgery, all options available to you, the risks involved, and the expected benefits and results so that together you can come to a personalised decision about your thigh lift. Dr do Vale will first examine you to determine if you are a good candidate for the thigh lift surgery and explain the procedure in detail.

Depending on the severity of excess loose thigh skin, Dr do Vale can tailor the procedure to suit your needs. Thigh lift incisions may differ depending on how far the laxity extends down the thigh, and whether or not there is also some excess fat contributing to the dis-satisfactory appearance.

• A limited thigh lift involves an incision limited to only the groin crease when laxity is less severe and predominantly vertical in orientation.
• An Extended Thigh Lift surgery may involve:
  • An "L-" or "T-shaped" incision placed in the groin crease and upper inner thigh, where there is both vertical and horizontal excess.
  • A vertical incision is done to remove horizontal excess skin from the inner thigh region.
  • For severe laxity, the incision may run down the inner thigh from the groin to just above the knee.

The extent of the excision and thigh lift scars depends on the extent of the excess skin and fat. Dr do Vale usually performs liposuction of the inner thigh with the thigh lift surgery. The goal of this liposuction is to help smooth the contour of the thigh, not to reduce the overall fat content of the thigh. After marking the incision and performing liposuction, a piece of skin with the dermis and underlying subcutaneous fat is removed before neatly suturing the wound closed.

Recovery after Thigh Lift Surgery:

The thigh lift surgery typically takes 3 hours, and one drain may be placed in each thigh, which will be removed a few days after surgery. The healing process may take 2 - 4 weeks. A light elastic bandage or compression garment may be recommended during your recovery. Light activity is permitted the day after the thigh surgery, and patients may return to work after 2 weeks of recovery at home. Avoid strenuous activity for 1 month. Recovery time is essential after having a thigh lift.

For more information on Thigh lift/Thighplasty or to find out if it’s the right procedure for you, request a consultation below or call 0109003999 to schedule your detailed consultation with Dr do Vale.