Thigh Lift
Designed to remove the excess skin and fat from the inner thigh area, resulting in smoother, more shapely legs
A thigh lift is a surgical procedure designed to remove the excess skin and fat from the inner thigh area, resulting in smoother, more shapely legs. Significant weight loss can result in a surplus of skin in this region, with similar negative consequences arising as a result of loss of skin elasticity with ageing. Whilst an appropriate exercise programme can improve muscle tone, it won’t address an excess of sagging, shapeless skin.
The surgery is performed under general anaesthetic and the extent of the scarring is determined by the amount of skin and fat to be excised. In most cases, the scar is confined to the inner thigh, but occasionally it is extended into the groin. The procedure is commonly combined with liposuction, which utilises a suction technique to remove unwanted fat.
FAQs
A thigh lift is a body-contouring rather than a weight loss procedure. As such, you will get the best results if you have lost any unwanted weight prior to the surgery and have achieved a stable weight in your ideal, healthy weight range. It is absolutely imperative that you have stopped smoking for at least 3 months, if not 6 months prior to your surgery. Smoking has catastrophic effects on wound healing and greatly increases your risk of complications in general.
This will depend on your own goals and desires, which will be determined during your consultation. During the surgery, liposuction is usually performed in the first instance, before excision of the excess skin. The surgery takes between 2-4 hours and usually necessitates a 1 night stay in hospital. The scars are permanent, but are designed to be concealed.
All surgical procedures involve risks, which include general risks like pain, bleeding, wound infection and abnormal scarring and risks specific to the procedure itself. The latter includes swelling, asymmetry, changes in skin sensation, delayed healing, contour irregularities and the need for further surgery.
You will need to keep your wounds clean and dry for 48 hours after your surgery. Whilst it is important to begin walking in the early post-operative period, elevating your legs when sitting is equally vital. A supportive garment should be worn for 6 weeks. In order to get the best possible aesthetic result, you should tape your scars for the same period of time. Thereafter, massaging your scars and topical silicone will hasten their transition to thin, flat, pale scars.
Your return to work will be determined by the extent of your surgery and what type of job you do. In general, most patients require at least 2 weeks off post-operatively, though longer if your job is more physically demanding.
After your consultation, Dr Collins will provide you with an estimate which will include hospital and anaesthetic costs in addition to the surgical fee. The cost will be determined by the complexity of your surgery and ranges from $11,500 to $17,500. Additional, simultaneous procedures will incur additional costs.