Plastic correction of the hips - Thigh Lift - Plastic Surgery Dr. Angel Enchev

Thigh Lift (Thighplasty)

Patients who have undergone a significant weight loss are often left with excess areas of skin on their lower body, and it is often difficult to manage this issue with exercise alone. A surgical thigh lift can reduce the excess skin on the thighs for a smoother, more proportionate lower body contour.

Thigh lift is not intended strictly for the removal of excess fat. Liposuction alone can remove excess fat deposits where skin has good elasticity and is able to naturally conform to new body contours.In cases where skin elasticity is poor, a combination of liposuction and thigh lift techniques may be recommended.

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People with excess skin and fat in the thighs — either caused by aging, genetics, or significant weight loss — may be good candidates for thigh lift surgery. Thigh lift surgery is ideally performed after the patient has achieved his/hers weight loss goals but if the weight loss is continuing, they should wait before having thigh lift surgery.

A thigh lift procedure is done under general anesthesia and often takes up tp four hours to complete. The incision patterns used during a thigh lift will depend on the extent of work that needs to be done. A medial thigh lift can be done with incisions in the groin area only if the excess skin is mild/moderate, or the incision may need to be carried down the medial aspect of the thigh down to the knee. The excess skin and fat are removed and the skin is re-draped resulting in a smoother contour. Liposuction may be recommended in addition to excision of the excess skin to better contour the thighs.

Following thigh lift surgery (Thighplasty), patients may experience swelling and mild bruising. Any discomfort can be controlled with pain medication which should be taken three to 14 days following surgery. If there are drains, they will be removed a few days after the surgery.Most patients can return to their job after one to two weeks. Exercise may be resumed after three to six weeks.It is important that the surgical incisions are not subjected to excessive force, swelling, abrasion, or motion during the time of healing.

Following your surgeon’s instructions is key to the success of your surgery.

The results of a thigh lift are visible almost immediately. However, it may take several months for the final results to be seen.Following a thigh lift, the skin quality can be improved both in appearance and feel.Some visible scars will remain, but the overall results are long lasting, provided that you maintain a stable weight and healthy style of living.