A thigh lift is a surgical procedure designed to remove excess skin from the thigh and improve its contour. A thigh liposuction alone, even if performed by a competent surgeon, has no positive effect on sagging skin. Only a thigh lift can reshape the thighs by reducing excess fat and skin.
- May be carried out as an outpatient procedure
- Different scar incisions possible
- May be combined with other body contouring procedures (arm lift, breast augmentation…)
THIGH LIFT OVERVIEW:
This information sheet is issued by Dr Vincent Nguyen plastic surgeon in Paris, familiar, qualified and competent in thigh lift surgery.
It provides all the information about the procedure, scars, recovery, before and after comparison photographs, and the costs of the procedure.
What are the indications for a thigh lift?
The main indication for a thigh lift is moderate to severe skin laxity in the inner thigh, with or without excess fat deposits that may cause discomfort while walking and wearing clothes.
As the skin of the inner side of the thigh is very thin and fragile and not as elastic as other parts of the body, it is more easily distended and altered (stretch marks, dimples…). Patients often feel self-conscious and unhappy with the aspect of their poor skin tone and undergo the surgery to have a better self-image and more confidence.
Quelles sont les défauts traités par la cruroplastie ?
Quand il existe un relâchement de la peau de la face interne de la cuisse, et surtout au niveau du haut des cuisses, la liposuccion seule ne suffit pas, et il est nécessaire de retendre la peau pour traiter ce défaut : c’est lifting de la face interne de la cuisse ou lifting crural ou cruroplastie.
Une lipoaspiration est réalisée en cas d’excès de graisse associé.
What are the different thigh lifts and where are the scars that go with them?
The place, length and pattern of the scars depend on the type of thigh plasty. The plastic surgeon will decide what is best for you after your clinical examination.
There are 3 different types of thigh lifts:
- Horizontal technique (see picture)
The skin is pulled up as if putting pants on. The scar goes from the groin fold to the inner upper part of the thigh and wraps around the back of the thigh in the buttock crease.
- Vertical technique:
The width of the thigh is reduced as if it were a pant leg.
The scar incision is then vertical, along the inner thigh. Its length depends on the excess skin to be removed. It can be made just at the top of the thigh. If so, the scar will be very discreet. But if the excess of flabby skin is significant, the incision scar may reach the knee.
- Combined technique:
Horizontal and vertical techniques may be combined when needed, to perfectly tighten the skin of the thigh. If so, the scar will have the shape of a reversed L or a T.
PRINCIPLES OF A THIGH LIFT:
What’s the purpose of a thigh lift?
The goal of a thigh lift is to remove excess fat and skin, to tighten the thighs to improve their contour and give them a toned appearance.
THE STEPS OF THE INTERVENTION
BEFORE THIGH LIFT SURGERY:
- Two preoperative consultations with a board-certified plastic surgeon will be conducted as well as a consultation with an anesthetist.
- Before and after comparison photographs will be taken.
- Compression garments (compression shorts) will be prescribed.
- Preoperative instructions are as follow:
- Quit smoking at least one month minimum before the surgery to one month after the surgery to reduce any complications and avoid necrosis risk.
- Discontinue any anti-platelet or blood-thinning medication 15 days before the surgery.
- Stop birth control pill one month before the surgery to avoid increased risk of thromboembolism.
THIGH LIFT SURGERY:
- The surgery is performed under general anesthesia.
- It lasts 1 to 2 hours depending on the fat to be suctioned and on the excess sagging skin to be removed.
- At the end of the surgery a liposuction compression garment is put on.
- Dr Vincent Nguyen uses the most advanced surgical techniques that avoid the use of drains, and performs the surgery on both thighs himself.
The final result is visible after 6 to 12 months but the patient’s comfort and physical appearance are improved as soon as the first week. The thigh is toned and its contour improved, with nice proportions. Most of the scars are hidden in natural folds or under underwear. New surgical techniques have improved the results of a thigh lift.
AFTER THIGH LIFT SURGERY:
- Patients may go home the following day or the same day.
- The scars will be covered with a medical dressing for 2 weeks after the surgery.
- Bruising and swelling may occur. They disappear after 10 to 20 days.
- You may feel soreness and twinges that can easily be managed with appropriate analgesics.
- Upper thigh surgery is always a little invalidating as patients feel discomfort while walking due to the operated areas.
- You may have a shower the following day but you can’t have a bath before a month after the surgery.
- As the scar is in a fold, because of the heat and humidity, it may take longer to heal.
- Patients may go back to work 1 to 3 weeks after the surgery depending on the nature of their job.
- You may progressively resume sport activities 6 weeks after the surgery.
- Protect the scars from sun exposure for a year.
- Follow-up consultations with Dr Vincent Nguyen will be planned (1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and a year after the surgery).
Thigh Lift: price and costs
- Thigh Lift surgery may be covered by Social Security after prior approval of the surgical procedure by its authority and many Health Insurance Companies may also reimburse part of the costs of this body contouring surgery.
- The surgery is approved and covered by Social Security if it is performed after severe weight loss for morbid obesity and bariatric surgery.
- There is no agreement to cover the cost of the procedure by Social Security if it is done for esthetic reasons only.
- Thigh Lift surgery costs may vary depending on the extent of the surgery, the length of the procedure, other combined procedures (liposuction, length of the scars…), the location of the procedure and whether or not it is covered by your Health Insurance Company. The cost of thigh lift surgery may vary from … to … (see all the costs of the procedures on this website).
- The success of your surgery depends on a board-certified and competent plastic surgeon who will evaluate and discuss your needs and your options and recommend a course of treatment to achieve the best results.
THIGH LIFT SURGERY FAQs
Does Thigh plasty affect the sensitivity of the thigh?
Immediately after the surgery hyposensitivity or numbness may be experienced in the inner side of the thigh but it disappears in the year following the procedure.
What flaws does thigh lift address?
When the skin of the inner thigh and upper thigh is sagging, liposuction alone is not enough as the skin also needs to be tightened. The thigh lift will remove excess skin and tighten the remaining skin to improve the contour of the thigh.
It may be combined with a liposuction procedure in case of associated fat deposits.
What are the alternatives to a thigh lift?
Very rarely thigh liposuction as it only removes fat deposits and doesn’t address excess sagging skin.
May skin of the thigh sag again?
In case of severe weight loss the skin may loosen again.
