Thighplasty
A Better Life
What is Thighplasty ?
This procedure is performed to improve contour and remove excess skin from either the inner or outer thighs after weight loss. More commonly addressed are the inner thighs. A lateral thigh lift is performed to lift skin and improve the contour of the outer thighs. This lift is performed through an incision that is made high up on the thigh, near the outer waist and can be concealed in the underwear. It can also be performed as part of a lower body lift without any additional incisions.
A medial thigh lift involves an incision made either in the groin area alone or in the groin area and extending vertically down the leg. This allows the plastic surgeon to remove excess skin, as well as suction out fat if needed. The resulting scar is hidden in the groin or on the inside of the thigh.
A medial thigh lift tightens the skin of the inner thighs. It can be accompanied by liposuction to debulk the thighs further. The incisions used for this procedure are occasionally concealed in the groin. Often the scar will also be needed down the medial thigh towards the knee.
Thigh Lift Surgery is really the only effective way to remove loose skin and excess fat from the upper inner thighs.
After a well-performed Thigh Lift, you will enjoy the following benefits:
- Your thighs will have a shapelier, firmer and more toned appearance.
- You will find it much easier to wear well-fitted clothing.
- You will no longer have to endure the unpleasant rubbing of the thighs against each other.
- Your ability to exercise will be easier and more comfortable.
Stay in hospital
1 day one night
Surgery duration
1 to 2 hours
Anesthesia
General or local
Price list
We accept payments in Armenian Dram
Procedure types
Inner/Medial Thigh Lift
Inner/Medial Thigh Lift
A medial thigh lift is performed on the inner part of the upper thigh. Typical patients for this treatment struggle to get rid of fat in this area through diet and exercise alone. Some patients also seek an inner thigh lift as a way to remove excess skin after weight loss. The skin around the upper thigh may start to lose elasticity and become saggy if a large amount of weight has been lost, especially if weight loss occurred very quickly. It also occurs simply due to the process of aging. No matter the reason for a thigh lift, it can help to significantly trim the fat and skin around the upper thigh. This can result in a boost in confidence and self-image, as well as increased comfort in daily life. To carry out this procedure, a surgeon begins by making an incision in the crease where the thigh meets the pubic area. This incision is strategically placed in the groin area in order to help reduce visible scarring. The incision will start at the top of the pubic area, close to the hip bone. From there, it will follow the natural crease of your body, stretching around to the back of the buttock. After the incisions have been made a large amount of skin and fat is removed. This may or may not involve liposuction, depending on the wishes of the patient. After that, the thigh is lifted by stitching the skin back in a higher and tighter position than it was before. The scar will sit in the crease of the groin, resulting in a subtle appearance. Next to the mini thigh lift, this is the most discreet type of thighplasty available. Scarring is kept to a minimum, but excellent results can still be achieved.
Vertical Thigh Lift
A vertical thigh lift is used for patients who have excess skin extending all the way around the thigh. While an inner thigh lift focuses on the upper area, this kind of thigh lift treats the middle and lower sections of the thigh, too. Since this procedure treats a larger area of the body, it requires a larger incision. Instead of a small incision, an ellipse-shaped area of the skin is cut and removed. This area begins at the upper inner thigh and stretches down to the inner area of the knee. Due to the shape of this incision, this surgery is sometimes also referred to as a ‘crescent lift’. In this case, more significant and noticeable scarring is left behind. While the scars from an inner thigh lift will be kept hidden under most underwear, these scars are more obvious. These scars won’t be visible when legs are closed. However, when they’re opened and the inner thighs are exposed, large, T-shaped scars will be able to be seen. As this procedure is more extensive, it’s only recommended for patients who have very large amounts of excess skin to remove.
Vertical Thigh Lift
Outer/Lateral Thigh Lift
Outer/Lateral Thigh Lift
An outer thigh lift removes skin and fat from the outside of the thigh. This can include excess weight that has accumulated in the waist and buttock area. During this type of thigh lift, an incision is made around the waist. In this way, it’s similar to a general lower body lift. Liposuction is used to remove the fat around the side of the thighs and buttocks. Then, the excess tissue is brought up and secured at the hip bone. This contours the body and leaves a tighter, smoother surface free from ripples or dimples. The length of the incision also leaves significant scarring. However, it is generally concealed by most underwear and bathing suits. Plus, most patients are happy to live with the scarring in exchange for the results they achieve. If you’re looking for a bigger improvement and are willing to deal with the resulting scarring at the expense of that, it’s a fair trade-off.
What to expect
Before thigh lift surgery, you’ll be instructed to stop taking medications that increase bleeding. These include aspirin, certain supplements, and anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen. Your surgeon may also ask for a medical evaluation to ensure you’re a good candidate for surgery.
On average, the entire procedure takes 2 hours to complete. Since you’ll also spend several hours in both pre-op and post-op, you should expect the entire process to take up most of the day.
You should also plan to have someone drive you home after surgery. You may need assistance at home during the first 24 hours after your procedure, as you’ll need plenty of rest.
The thigh lift surgery is typically performed under general anaesthesia. The standard incision for a thigh lift runs in the crease of the groin to the crease of the buttock, where the loose skin is pulled upwards towards the groin and the excess skin is trimmed away. In cases where the thigh skin is excessively loose, an additional vertical incision may be necessary on the inner aspect of the thigh as shown in the illustration. The length and pattern of the incisions will depend on how much thigh skin needs to be removed, and if there is also excess fat, liposuction may be included. After the incisions are closed with dissolving sutures, dressings will be placed over the thighs and drainage tubes may be inserted to remove unwanted fluid accumulations, which are typically removed the next day.
Once the bandages and drainage tubes are removed, a compression garment will need to be worn for the next 6 weeks to aid in healing and produce a better final result. Although there will be an improvement in upper thigh shape immediately after the surgery, it is important to note that thigh tissues will still be swollen and it will take another 3-4 weeks for most of the swelling to subside.
If the Thigh Lift surgery is more extensive than usual, it may be necessary to stay in the hospital for 1 or 2 nights. However, as soon as the patient is able to walk freely, they can return home.
Plan well ahead of your surgery to have help when you return home and until such time as you can comfortably conduct your daily activities without assistance.
Once home, don’t try to do too much, too soon. Take things easy. Short walks in your home will assist with healing as will adequate rest.
If it proves helpful, you can place a pillow under each thigh to slightly flex the thighs and relieve any tension on the incisions.
Full recovery takes around 3-4 weeks so you should expect to be off work for that amount of time.
As your tightened skin stretches, your range of movements will slowly increase until you regain your full range of movement.
You must continue to wear your Compression Garment for 6 weeks.
Thigh Lift results are typically long lasting. Remember, however, that your skin will naturally lose some firmness as you age and some skin laxity might return, but never to the degree it was prior to the Thigh Lift.
Doctors
Frequently asked questions
Pain and discomfort is always subjective. You may find that any pain you feel is probably more noticeable when standing or and walking in the first few days following surgery and usually involves a pulling or tightening sensation in the inner aspect of the thighs. It is advisable therefore that for the first week or so you should take regular painkillers in order to minimize this.
A thigh lift involves the removal of excess skin and tissue from the thigh area. It temporarily gets rid of cellulite, but cellulite can reappear after some time.
Yes, you can. Bed rest is recommended for the first few days after the surgery. However, a light walk is encouraged as it helps speed up the recovery process and may prevent blood clots.
Do not sleep on your stomach until the swelling subsides. Sleep on your back with a few pillows propped up under your knees and head.
Swelling can last anywhere between one to six months.
Wear a compression garment for four to six weeks after the treatment. On top of that, wear loose, comfortable clothing that is easy to take on and off.
Surgeons use absorbable stitches which dissolve on their own. So, you won’t need to come into the surgeon’s office to get your stitches out.
You will see complete results of the surgery in about six months after the surgery. In some months, the swelling goes away, the scars lighten significantly, and you are able to see your toned legs.
