The thighs are one of the most difficult areas on the body from which to lose fat. People can work out, including cardio and the use of weight machines, and still not be able to lose weight in the thighs or buttocks. Even if they do manage to lose fat in that area, they are left with flabby thighs and untoned buttocks.
A thigh lift cosmetic surgical procedure might be the answer these patients are seeking. It is designed to lift and tighten loose skin, fat, and tissue around the thighs and buttocks, reducing the rippled "cottage cheese" look. It can either be done alone or in conjunction with a liposuction treatment, which will remove fat from the thighs and buttocks.
The Inner/Medial Thigh Lift
This procedure is done just to tighten and smooth small to moderate amounts of skin laxity on the inner thighs. Dr. Paul Pin recommends this surgery for patients who do not have excess fat or skin on their outer thighs. The incisions are made at the junction between the thighs and the pubic area. This allows for some tightening of the inner thighs.
The Vertical Thigh Lift
The vertical thigh lift is similar to the inner/medial thigh lift. In this approach, more extensive amounts of loose skin on the inner thighs can be removed and tightened. This is achieved by extending the incision along the groin and down the inner thigh toward the knee; the length of the incision depends upon the amount of skin tightening that is needed.
The Outer/Bilateral Thigh Lift
This technique is used to tighten and smooth the skin on the front and outer thighs. The incision goes along the groin, then wraps around each hip, following along the natural bikini line. This technique is recommended for patients who do not need the inner thighs lifted.
Side Effects and Recovery
As with other cosmetic surgical procedures, bruising and swelling are the two biggest side effects from a thigh lift procedure. Patients are given a special compression garment to wear for the first one to two weeks following surgery to reduce these effects. Patients are encouraged to get up and walk around within 24 hours of surgery to reduce blood clots from forming in the legs. Any surgical drains are generally removed after the first two weeks. Patients can generally return to regular activities once the surgical drains are removed.
Combining Procedures
Any of these procedures can be combined with other body contouring procedures, such as an abdominoplasty (also known as tummy tuck, which removes loose skin from the stomach), buttock lift (which removes loose skin from the butt), or arm lift (which removes loose skin from the upper arms). Patients who are interested in combining another procedure with a thigh lift should discuss this with Dr. Pin to determine if it feasible to do so in one surgery.
Contact Dr. Paul Pin's Dallas practice to schedule a thigh lift consultation. We look forward to meeting you and helping you achieve your aesthetic goals!