If you have ever felt self-conscious about the way your legs look you can rest assured that you are not alone. A lot of people struggle especially with the appearance of their thighs as this is a part of the body that tends to lose its shape as we age. Individuals that have experienced substantial weight loss might also find that their skin lacks the elasticity to adjust to the new contours of their body, with excess skin around the thighs being a common issue. A thigh lift surgery is focussed on addressing these very issues and the procedure can be performed using various methods.
The Procedure
Thigh lift surgery involved the removal of excess skin and fat from the inner or outer thighs, depending on the patient’s wishes. The procedure is able to contour the thighs in a way that traditional weight loss methods are often not able to do. A thigh lift is however not intended to remove excess fat and should be used in combination with liposuction to get rid of unwanted fat deposits in the thighs. The purpose of a thigh lift is to tighten the skin around the thighs and only remove enough fat to provide the patient with smoother contours on the legs. This is done proportionately to the rest of the body to ensure a more natural look.
The placement of the incisions will vary based on the location of the problem area and according to the surgeon’s recommendations. The incision can be made on the inner thigh, medial thigh or outer thigh, but the process remains very much the same. A surgeon will reshape the underlying tissue and any excess skin will be removed, after which the skin is draped over the new contours of the leg. The procedure usually takes less than 2 hours to complete under general anaesthesia and the patient will be able to leave the hospital on the same day.
Recovering from a Thigh Lift
The ideal candidate is someone that is still relatively young and that has skin with good elasticity. The elasticity of a patient’s skin will have an influence on the results of the surgery and the extent of the recovery period as well. There will be a fair amount of swelling for the first few days after surgery and patients could experience some discomfort. Pain medication will be prescribed to manage any pain and patients are advised to take leave from work for at least three weeks and refrain from any strenuous activity. Allowing your body ample chance to heal properly is vital and patients should take great care not to overexert themselves.
Patients will be provided with a compression garment to help reduce the risk of injury and aid in the healing process. The results of the surgery should be evident almost immediately, but it could take months for all the swelling to subside. Patients are advised to continue living a healthy lifestyle and maintain a stable weight to increase the longevity of the final results.
Contact Centurion Cosmetic Clinic to find out more about thigh lift surgery or to book a consultation with one of our doctors. We will do everything we can to provide you with the best possible experience on your cosmetic surgery journey and support you every step of the way towards your goal.
