Having loose, sagging inner thigh skin isn’t just an aesthetic concern. When loose, extra skin pools around the upper legs, it can make finding clothes that fit well very difficult and this can ultimately lead to losing comfort in your own skin and impact your self-confidence. It can even prevent enjoying activites that call for bare legs, like swimming, tennis or just enjoying a walk on a nice Arizona day. If you’re unhappy with how your legs look and feel due to sagging tissues, a thigh lift can help you lose the extra skin and re-contour your thighs to a smoother and firmer appearance.
What is a Thigh Lift?
A thigh lift is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fatty deposits of the inner thigh and lifts and reshapes the remaining tissue to a firmer and leaner appearing inner thighs. This procedure is commonly combined with liposuction. Liposuction will remove excess fat prior to removing excess skin with the thigh lift procedure. A thigh lift is typically performed on patients who have lost a significant amount of weight, or who have experienced a loss of skin elasticity due to aging and have significant resulting loose skin on their inner thighs.
Thigh Lift Candidates:
Candidates for a thigh lift are typically men or women who are bothered by excess skin or fat in their thigh area and want to achieve a more toned and contoured appearance.
Some common reasons why a person may be a good candidate for a thigh lift include:
- Weight loss
- Excess skin and/or fat
- Aging
- Cosmetic reasons
It’s important to note that a thigh lift is a surgical procedure that involves recovery time and should not be considered a substitute for weight loss or a healthy lifestyle. Candidates for a thigh lift should be in good overall health, have realistic expectations for the procedure, and be committed to maintaining a healthy weight and lifestyle after the surgery.
A consultation with our qualified, board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Shaili Gal, can help determine whether a person is a good candidate for a thigh lift based on their individual needs and circumstances.
Frequently asked questions
Advantages of a Thigh Lift
A thigh lift can help you:
- Fit better into your jeans
- Reduce chafing of inner thigh skin during exercise
- Improve ease of movement
- Restore a more proportional appearance to your lower body
- Feel more confident wearing shorts, skirts or swimsuits
Your Thigh Lift Consultation
Dr. Gal will listen to your goals and what you are trying to achieve. After reviewing your medical history, she will perform a physical exam. Based on your goals, overall health and physical exam, Dr. Gal will explain the best surgical approach for you.
Your Thigh Lift Procedure
Your thigh lift procedure is generally done under anesthesia and can be combined with liposuction depending on your body habitus. If liposuction is needed, this will be done first to remove the excess fatty deposits. Once this is complete, an incision will be made along the groin crease and extended vertically along the inner surface of your thigh to remove the excess skin and recontour the thigh.
If you have experienced massive weight loss and have extensive loose skin, the incision may extend down to your knee. The scar is unavoidable, but Dr. Gal will take care to place the scar in a location that is easy to conceal whenever possible. The scar will usually fade nicely over a year.
Recovery after Surgery
After having a thigh lift procedure, you will be placed in a compression garment and be sent home the same day of surgery to recover in comfort. You may experience some discomfort and swelling in the treated area after the surgery, but this can be managed with pain medication and other treatments.
Most patients return to a desk job within 1 to 2 weeks, but cannot return to full exercise till 4 to 6 weeks after surgery. At Peoria Cosmetic Surgery, we give specific post-operative instructions for our patients to follow, including how to care for the incision site and when to resume normal activities.
Why Peoria Cosmetic Surgery?
A thigh lift at Peoria Cosmetic Surgery plastic surgery clinic is a safe and effective procedure that can help patients achieve a more toned and contoured appearance in the thighs. The procedure is performed by Dr. Shaili Gal, double-boarded plastic surgeon, who uses the latest techniques and technologies to ensure the best possible outcomes for her patients. With proper care and follow-up, patients can enjoy long-lasting results from their thigh lift procedure.