What You Need to Know About Thigh Lift Surgery
Plastic surgery overall is becoming more and more common—in fact, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), in 2014 Americans received more than six times as many cosmetic procedures as they did in 1997. But while terms like tummy tuck and breast augmentation have become household names, other procedures remain largely unknown to the patients who could benefit from them the most. One such surgery is the thigh lift. Whether it’s happened because of aging or because of dramatic weight loss, many patients find themselves with excess sagging skin on their thighs, and this procedure can restore a more attractive and youthful shape. To give you a quick overview of the procedure, here are a few facts you need to know about thigh lifts:
- Thigh lift surgery removes excess skin from the thigh. For patients who also have unwanted fat in the treatment area, liposuction can be used alongside the thigh lift to create a slimmer, sleeker contour.
- Thigh lifts are becoming more and more popular. According to ASAPS, they’ve increased by nearly 500% since 1997.
- There are several different possible incisions for a thigh lift. Patients who have a moderate amount of excess skin, primarily on the inner thigh, can typically keep their incision limited to the discrete crease of the groin. Depending on the amount and location of the tissue that is being removed, some patients will have an incision that extends along the top of the inner thigh.
- A thigh lift can be a great complement to other plastic surgeries. Many thigh lift patients also have excess skin on other areas of the body, and in this case, combining a thigh lift with procedures like a tummy tuck, arm lift, or breast lift can create a more comprehensive improvement with less cost and downtime than if each surgery was performed separately.
- Thigh lift surgery patients typically need two to three weeks of recovery time before returning to work or their other daily activities, like driving. Following pre- and post-surgical instructions closely can help a patient recover more smoothly, but it’s important to allow for plenty of time away from daily responsibilities rather than rushing the healing process.
A thigh lift (like any other cosmetic surgery) can be life-changing by giving the patient renewed confidence in their appearance—but this is only true for the right patient. To start discussing whether a thigh lift or another plastic surgery may help you address your aesthetic hurdles, schedule a consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Franklyn Elliott. Or, to learn more about the procedures we offer and to stay up-to-date on the latest plastic surgery news, join us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.