THIGH LIFT

Flabby thighs can be a thing of the past thanks to thigh lift surgery (thighplasty). This body contouring surgery removes excessive and loose skin from the inner and/or lower areas of the upper thighs. Once the skin is trimmed away, our board-certified plastic surgeons at Aesthetic Center of Gainesville will lift and reshape the remaining skin to form smoother, tighter thighs. The end result will be contoured, slimmer thighs. This is a great surgery for patients who have lost a large amount of weight but are still stuck with the residual skin. Since this surgery is not a weight loss surgery, patients should be at or near their goal weight.

A thigh lift is performed to address the inner thighs and/or outer thighs (lateral thigh lift). During an inner thigh lift, an incision is made near the top of the thigh (along the crease where the torso meets the leg) and runs down the inner aspect of the thigh. Once the incision is made, a large section of tissue is removed from the top inner thigh area, and any excess skin will be excised away. Liposuction may be used to sculpt the area into a more desirable contour. The soft tissue structures and muscle are pulled tight and secured to result in a more toned and smooth skin surface.  

COMBINATION PROCEDURES

A thigh lift can often be combined with another body contouring procedure, especially if it involves another area of the lower body. A common combination surgery for patients is a thigh lift and butt lift. Patients who require an outer thigh lift will generally need to have the buttocks addressed as well. During this approach, the outer thighs are pulled up and tightened, then secured with sutures along the crease at the bottom of the buttocks. In addition to a tighter appearance, most patients see a drastic improvement in skin irregularities, such as dimples from cellulite.  

All thigh lift surgeries are performed under general anesthesia in an accredited surgical facility as an outpatient procedure. This procedure typically takes around 2-4 hours to complete, depending on the size of the patient’s thighs. However, it could take longer if it is combined with another procedure or procedures. Recovery time will vary, but 6-8 weeks is typical for a full recovery. Scarring will be a part of this procedure. With proper scar care, the incisions should heal nicely and the scars will fade over time. Patients will see a marked improvement in the contour of their thighs, as well as a smoother, firmer skin tone.

CURE FOR CELLULITE DIMPLES?

A thigh lift improves the appearance of the skin on the thighs. Because the skin is pulled and tightened, a smoother, more toned look will result. Some patients find that this alone makes the surgery worth it. While the surgery doesn’t remove every imperfection, the improvement can be very dramatic for many patients.

POST-SURGERY EXERCISE?

Some patients fear that they will not be able to perform certain exercises (such as a lunge) after a thigh lift. This is false. Patients will need to make certain they are fully healed and gain approval from their surgeon before performing lower body exercises. Once healed, exercise will only help optimize the surgical outcome.  

LONG-LASTING RESULTS?

The results of a thigh lift can be very long lasting. However, any additional weight gain could compromise some of the aesthetic results gained of the surgery. Over time, age and gravity will cause some of the natural laxity within the thighs to decrease, but most of the improvement will be permanent.

If you're feeling self-conscious about flabby or jiggly thighs, just say “yes” to a thigh lift, which is highly effective at targeting all that loose skin that you can’t diet or exercise away. The trimmer, slimmer thighs that you have been craving can be yours. Give us a call today to schedule a consultation