Medial and Lateral Thigh Lifts
A thigh lift reshapes the upper leg by reducing excess skin. In some cases, it also reduces fat. This results in smoother skin and better-proportioned contours of the thighs and lower body. These are commonly divided into medial thigh lifts and lateral thigh lifts.
Thigh lifts address irregularities of the medial or lateral thigh and frequently both. If skin excess in these areas is not a concern, then simply using liposuction can be beneficial in itself. However, in most patients, there is some degree of skin excess. This usually results from weight loss. This is best addressed with skin excision.
Is it right for me?
Candidates for this procedure are:
- People whose weight is relatively stable
- Individuals with excess soft tissue along the inner or medial thigh region and/or the outer thigh
- Healthy individuals who do not have medical conditions that can impair healing or increase risk of surgery
- Non-smokers
- Individuals with a positive outlook and realistic goals
- Individuals committed to leading a healthy lifestyle including proper nutrition and fitness
Anesthesia
The anesthesia provider will administer medications before and during the procedure to keep you comfortable. We perform this procedure under IV sedation.
Medial Thigh lift
A medial thigh lift places incisions in the groin, extending downward wrapping around the back of the thigh. The excess skin is excised and redraped to the thigh. This results in more proportionate and smoother body contours. We perform liposuction at the same time to reduce the girth of the thigh.
You may qualify for a minimal incision procedure which involves an incision only in the groin area. Your surgeon will determine what’s appropriate.
Lateral Thigh Lift
A lateral thigh lift tightens excess skin and removes excess fat from the lateral thigh. Dr. Thomassen places the incision along the natural waist and hip contour. This incision frequently matches the incision used in a tummy tuck procedure. It can be used simultaneously or as part of a staged procedure. Liposuction is also frequently added to this procedure to reduce the girth of the thighs.
Recovery
Recovery following this procedure is usually 4-6 weeks. For this period, one must limit any excess physical activity. There is a gradual return to normal activities, starting with sedentary ones, and progressing gradually to full exercise.
The Results
The smoother, tighter contouring that results from a thigh lift is apparent almost immediately. Initially, it is obscured by some swelling and bruising.
You may need to wear a compression garment for several weeks after your procedure. This helps minimize swelling. It also supports the tissues as they heal.
Some visible scars will remain. However, the overall results are long lasting. This is provided that you maintain a stable weight and general fitness.
Get more information about Thigh Lift Procedures at the American Society of Plastic Surgery website.
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