Thigh Lift in Chicago and Northbrook, IL
Thigh Lift Surgery
Thigh lift surgery is the only way to comprehensively contour the inner (medial) and outer thighs because it addresses not only your fat and soft tissue but also your excessive, sagging skin that makes your thighs look lumpy and far from shapely.
Am I a good candidate?
Ideal thigh lift candidates are close to their healthy body weight, have no underlying medical conditions, do not smoke, and have poor skin elasticity. Post dramatic weight loss patients make great candidates for thigh lifts because they have lost their excess weight and their skin remains quite lax.
How are Thigh Lifts Performed?
No other method of body contouring improves your shape, your skin appearance, and your upper leg tone as effectively as a thigh lift. While you are under IV sedation during this two to three hour complex procedure, your plastic surgeon will reshape your thighs by removing excess fat with liposuction or excision. The sagging skin is removed and re-draped so your thighs are more proportionate and you have a smoother, contoured look. The incisions for the inner and outer thigh lift vary in length and pattern depending on the amount and location of excess skin to be removed, as well as the personal preference and clinical judgment of your plastic surgeon. Inner or medial thigh incisions are made in the groin region and usually extend downward on the inside of the thigh to the knee for the best, tightest results. To treat the outer thigh and in some cases to treat the medial thigh, additional incisions may be made in a bikini pattern extending from the groin to the hip to the buttock crease. Some techniques allow incisions to be placed in strategic locations where they can be hidden by most types of clothing and swimsuits.
The Recovery
You will wear a compression garment or dressing to minimize swelling and help in the natural shrinking of the skin following your thigh lift procedure. It is important to wear your garment for six weeks post operatively or as directed by your plastic surgeon. Bruising, swelling, and discomfort will occur. Since swelling is gravitational, you will be advised to elevate your legs slightly and you may see swelling in your lower legs and feet, which is normal. Muscle soreness and a feeling of skin tightness are to be expected as well. These side effects will keep you off your feet for at least a few days, so you may want to arrange to have someone stay with you for the first few days after your surgery. It is important to get up and walk around every hour or so. You will be advised not to do any strenuous activities for the next 4 to 6 weeks after having the procedure. Strenuous activities or anything that increases your heart rate will also increase swelling. Remember that the objective is to reduce your swelling, not promote it. Additionally, sitting for a long time is not recommended because this will increase tension on your sutures. Most patients return to work within a week or two and you will be able to resume your all of your daily activities within 4 to 6 weeks following your thigh lift. You will ease back into your exercise routine once your doctor clears you to do so. Recovery time really depends on the extent of the procedure.
Terms to Know
IV sedation – Sedatives administered by injection into a vein to help you relax.
Liposuction – a procedure that suctions out fat from beneath the skin’s surface to reduce fullness.
Medial thigh lift – A surgical procedure to correct sagging of the inner thigh.
Outer thigh lift – A surgical procedure to correct sagging of the outer and mid-thigh.
Thigh Lift
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is a mini medial thigh lift?
A mini medial thigh lift addresses the top third of the inner thigh and is appropriate for patients who do not need their entire thigh (from knee to groin) reshaped and contoured.
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How long will the results last?
If a patient maintains his or her weight, the results are virtually permanent. Although with age, the skin will naturally become lax.
