Thighplasty
A thighplasty, or "thigh/leg lift", is a surgical procedure to remove unwanted fat and skin from the upper legs. A thighplasty is frequently combined with liposuction or other body procedures such as abdominoplasty or breast augmentation.
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Treatment Time
2-4 hours; thighplasty is completed under a general anesthetic and operative time depends on whether liposuction or other procedures are added.
Incisions
Incisions follow the natural contours of the thigh. Incisions are either horizontal in your thigh crease or vertical down your inner thigh. Occasionally for significant excess skin and fat both a horizontal and vertical incision are required.
Benefits
Thighplasty is a high satisfaction operation not only for aesthetics but function. Patients frequently describe how a thighplasty has allowed them to live a more active lifestyle. A thighplasty is able to contour the legs to a more aesthetically pleasing and youthful shape.
Technique
Liposuction is generally completed first followed by incisions as described above. The fat and skin are removed after ensuring the resulting leg contour is appropriate. Strong stitches are used to resuspend the leg tissue. Drains and compression devices are then applied.
Recovery
Incisions are generally well healed after 2 weeks while swelling and bruising persists for up to 4 weeks. Final results can be expected after 4-6 weeks. Only light activity is permitted for the first 4 weeks.
Risks
The main risks are bleeding, infection, seroma, numbness around the scar, and over or under resection of tissue. Wound healing problems would be the most common complication, given the location of the incisions and difficulty in keeping the area clean.
Who are the best candidates?
Patients who are otherwise healthy, non-smokers, no history of blood clots in the legs or lungs, and have significant skin laxity of excess fat in the upper legs. Weight stability is key prior to undertaking major body operations.
Adjunct Procedures
Liposuction is helpful for contouring the thighs during thighplasty. Thighplasty is versatile as it can easily be combined with other breast, body, or face procedures.