Thigh Lift

About This Treatment

Sometimes even the most vigorous fitness regimen and diet are not enough to achieve a slim and toned body. The thighs can be especially hard to tone. The skin on the inner thighs loses elasticity over time due to genetics, aging, sun exposure and weight fluctuations. As a result, saggy thigh skin can create an unattractive and sometimes disproportionate shape.

You may feel embarrassed by the look of "thunder thighs" or experience physical discomfort from excess skin on the thighs. The trusted plastic surgeons in the Franciscan Health network offer the most up-to-date surgical methods for thigh lift.

The benefits of thigh lift

Thigh lift reshapes the thighs by trimming excess, loose skin. Your surgeon may use liposuction to create smoother, better-proportioned body contours. Thigh lift can provide inner thigh toning when exercise isn't enough.

Following thigh lift, you may feel more confident when wearing shorts. And everyday activities such as walking and exercise become easier and more enjoyable when you eliminate chafing and skin rashes.

About the thigh lift procedure

Thigh lift is an outpatient procedure, so you go home later the same day. You'll have general anesthesia, so you sleep through the procedure. Your plastic surgeon will:

1. Create an incision: The incision is typically in the groin. If necessary, the incision may wrap around the back of the thigh.
2. Remove fatty deposits: The surgeon removes fatty deposits via liposuction. Your doctor will also remove excess skin and tissue.
3. Tighten remaining tissue: The surgeon adjusts the remaining skin and tissue until they cover the thigh smoothly.
4. Dressing the treatment area: Your surgeon will close the incisions with stitches or sutures and dress the area with bandages. You'll wear a compression garment on top to keep the stitches in place as they heal.

For best results, your surgeon may recommend combining thigh lift with other body contouring procedures, such as lower body lift and tummy tuck. Your doctor will discuss with you if thigh lift alone can achieve your desired outcome or if you should consider other procedures.

Recovery from thigh lift surgery

You'll need to take one to two weeks off work and your usual routine. Common post-op side effects include bruising, swelling and tenderness. These symptoms are temporary and should subside a few days after surgery. Your doctor may prescribe oral medication to relieve discomfort.

You should expect to rest in a reclining position as much as possible. This position puts the least amount of tension on the incision sites. After three to four weeks, you may be able to resume strenuous exercise. You'll need to wear your compression garment (except when showering) until your surgeon says otherwise.

Who is a candidate for a thigh lift?

Ideal thigh lift candidates:

• Have excess skin, fat and tissue on the thighs
• Experience physical discomfort (chafing, rashes or infection) due to excess skin on the thighs
• Are in good overall health
• Do not smoke
• Have realistic expectations of surgery