A thigh lift, or thighplasty, is a common surgical procedure we perform at our Gainesville plastic surgery center. We understand the challenges many women face in maintaining their appearance. Massive weight loss after pregnancy or from a rigorous diet and exercise can have negative consequences for the thigh region’s appearance.
A thigh lift procedure helps remove excess skin and fat that good dieting and exercise cannot take care of and helps you accomplish your goals of a firmer, more youthful body. A thigh lift helps tighten the skin and reduce swelling in the inner and outer thigh region.
Minor fat excesses are usually resolved through a simple liposuction procedure but if there’s excess skin as well, plastic surgeons at the University of Florida Health employ thigh lift surgery to take care of the excess skin in the thigh and buttocks region.
Continue reading to learn about a thigh lift procedure from start to finish and what you can expect to happen if you decide to go forward with thigh lift surgery at our Florida plastic surgery center.
1. Initial consultation and establishing a plan
Once you decide you think thigh lift surgery is the way to help accomplish your goals, you will need to sit down with a UF surgeon at our Gainesville plastic surgery facility and discuss your areas of concern. They will evaluate you to ensure you are in good shape – both physically and mentally – to undergo the procedure.
Remember, a thigh lift will only work in the long term if you’re committed to a healthy lifestyle consisting of a good diet and regular exercise.
2. Administration of anesthesia
A thighplasty is a surgical procedure that is conducted under general anesthesia or intravenous sedation. Surgeons will determine the best option for you during the initial consultation. DO NOT EAT PRIOR TO YOUR PROCEDURE AND FOLLOW YOUR SURGEON’S PRE-OP INSTRUCTIONS.
3. The incisions
Once the anesthesia and it takes effect, UF surgeons will begin the surgery. The patterns of the incisions vary on the areas needing treatment, the degree of correction required and your surgeon’s preference. As we said earlier, if excess fat is the only concern, a simple liposuction is all you need.
Your UF surgeon can employ one of two incision patterns for your thighplasty – a medial thigh lift that’s minimally invasive or an outer thigh lift that’s a bit more extensive.
A medial thigh lift incision pattern only involves the groin area and extends downward around the back of the thigh. The underlying tissue is reshaped and tightened. Skin is reduced and redraped with the end result being better proportioned and smoother body contours.
Medial Thigh Lift Incision Pattern
An outer thigh lift incision is aimed at improving contours of the outer thigh. This incision extends from the groin area around the hip. Again, underlying tissue is reshaped and tightened while the skin is reduced.
Outer Thigh Lift Incision Pattern
4. Closing the incisions and recovery
After surgeons remove excess skin and reshape your thigh’s contours, they will place deep support sutures within the underlying tissue to help form the newly shaped contours. Surgeons close the incisions using absorbable sutures. Bandages will be placed over the affected area to allow healing along with a compression garment to minimize swelling.
Results from a thigh lift will be apparent once the procedure is complete. You should rest for one to two weeks after surgery, but it’s suggested you avoid very strenuous activity for up to three to four weeks following your procedure. There may be some obscurity due to some minor swelling and bruising but that should wear off within a few days. Mild to moderate swelling should subside within five to seven days.
Most people who are given anesthesia have no problems, but few may experience some difficulty waking up as the anesthesia wears off. It may take awhile to wake up or it can happen abruptly, but when you do, you may feel hot, cold or a bit numb. You may even feel a little nauseous and go through either a crying or giggling spell. Don’t worry, it’s all normal and your surgeon will be watching over you as the anesthesia wears off.
Bookmark and check back regularly with the Florida Center for Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics’ knowledge center to learn more about thigh lift surgery and other plastic and cosmetic surgeries we perform at our Gainesville cosmetic surgery center.
Call 352.265.8402 or contact us today to schedule a consultation.
