Men and women can suffer from body insecurities throughout their life. In particular, many people have achieved significant weight loss, which is a major accomplishment when you have been overweight, but this can also leave behind excess skin once the fat has been burned away. Once the skin has been stretched, it is unlikely to go back to the way it was and this means that it becomes loose and sagging. Indeed, this can make both men and women unhappy with their appearance after losing a lot of weight.
One way that you can get rid of this excess skin, as well as fat on the thighs, is through having a thigh lift surgery. A thigh lift reshapes the thighs to gain smoother skin an improved shape. This surgery can be for the inner and outer thighs and is performed by Dr Laniewski with his training and experience.
What happens during lift procedure?
Thigh lift surgery involves making small incisions into the groin area. For the inner thigh, this incision will be at the crease of the groin, whereas the outer thigh will be from the crease of the groin to the hip. Liposuction is performed in conjunction with the thigh lift. Liposuction significantly enhances the aesthetic results. it is used as a shaping tool, not as a mechanism for weight loss. The soft tissue is recontoured, reshaped and the skin is redraped with any excess being excised. This produces more proportionate and smoother body contours, achieving the desired look of the patient.
Deep support sutures hold the newly shaped contour while the skin incision is sutured and supported with surgical tape. The wounds are then dressed. Surgical drains may be in place typically for three to five days after the procedure to help with a healthy recovery. This will help to drain excess fluids that can accumulate underneath the skin.
Thigh lift surgery can take anywhere from two to four hours to complete. This will depend on each patient and the amount of loose skin and fat that has to be removed.
Does a thigh lift hurt?
Thigh lift surgery is designed not to hurt patients. The procedure is comfortable for everyone since patients will receive a general anaesthetic before the surgery begins. This makes the procedure pain-free. If the patients require pain relief after surgery, this can be given. It is normal to stay in the hospital overnight after a thigh lift and every patient will be different in their recovery time.
What can I expect after the surgery?
Straight after thigh lift surgery, it is normal for there to be some swelling and discolouration around the thigh and groin area. There will be some discomfort for the patient, which can be managed with pain relief. But, these after effects will subside with rest and recovery and you should be feeling better within two to three weeks of having surgery.
There is downtime that is associated with a thigh lift. This means that most patients will take around one or two weeks off work for recovery and to rest following the surgery. But, this will vary from person to person. Strenuous exercise should also be avoided for a number of weeks to allow healthy recovery. Usually most patients are able to return to their daily routine six weeks after having the thigh lift procedure.
You may be required to wear a compression garment to help with your recovery from surgery. More about this will be explained by Dr Laniewski during your consultation before the thigh lift procedure.
The results of a thigh lift are visible almost immediately although it may take several months for the final results to be fully appreciated once any swelling has subsided. Scars may remain visible, but these should fade over time to become left noticeable. The length of them can vary depending on where the excess skin is and fat tissues. The overall results are long lasting, providing that you maintain a stable weight and follow a healthy diet and fitness regime. Otherwise, weight gain can affect your final results.
Who is the ideal candidate?
A suitable candidate for a thigh lift usually has sagging and loose skin on the inner or outer thighs that they want to correct. This may be because of weight loss or if you just want to improve the contour of your legs, especially if dieting and regular exercise is not helping. But, it is importance to remember that this procedure is not a substitute for a healthy liftstyle and therefore should not be used as a weight loss treatment.
If you would like to find out more about a thigh lift and what this procedure can do for you, you can contact us today to arrange a consultation with Dr Laniewski.
