Thigh Lift Surgery
Thigh lift surgery, also known as thighplasty, is a procedure to reshape the thighs and remove excess skin. Loose or sagging skin on the thighs is often the result of significant weight loss, but may also be caused by aging or genetics. A thigh lift can give you tighter, smoother thighs with more attractive contours and proportions. Thigh Lift Specialist Dr. Rukmini Rednam is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon offering thigh lift surgery in Houston and The Woodlands, as well as other post-weight loss surgical options.
What is a Thigh Lift?
Thigh lift surgery, or thighplasty, is a plastic surgery procedure designed to eliminate excess fat and skin from the thighs. This operation is particularly beneficial for individuals who have lost weight, are experiencing the natural effects of aging, or wish to enhance the appearance of their thighs. The outcome is thighs that are firmer, smoother, and more
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contoured.
Thigh Lift Candidates
Patients who are bothered by sagging skin on their thighs may be good candidates for a thighplasty. Patients who have had bariatric surgery or lost weight through other methods are often left with loose skin and uneven fat distribution on their thighs. Thigh lift surgery can remove excess skin, as well as stubborn fat deposits, for leaner, firmer, more youthful-looking thighs. Good candidates for a thigh lift procedure are in good general health, non-smoking, a stable weight, and have realistic expectations as to what can be achieved through
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cosmetic surgery
.
Preparing for Thigh Lift Surgery
Before your thigh lift procedure, it’s essential to follow several key steps to ensure optimal results and a smooth recovery. Dr. Rednam will conduct a thorough medical evaluation and discuss your goals. Be prepared to adjust or discontinue certain medications, stop smoking, and avoid alcohol to promote healing. Achieving a stable weight before surgery is crucial. Follow all preoperative instructions, and arrange for transportation and assistance during your recovery period to ensure you can rest and heal properly.
How Thigh Lift Surgery Works
The first step in thigh lift surgery is a consultation appointment to determine if this procedure is right for you. During your thigh lift consultation, Dr. Rednam will evaluate your thighs and discuss your medical history and your goals. If you are a candidate, she will discuss your personalized surgical plan. There are two types of thigh lift incisions:
Horizontal Thigh Lift
In a horizontal thigh lift, Dr. Rednam will make an incision in the crease where the groin meets the thigh. The advantage of this type of incision is a smaller, very easily concealed scar. However, a horizontal thigh lift can only treat mild to mild -moderate skin laxity in the upper thigh area.
Vertical Thigh Lift
A vertical thigh lift can correct more severe sagging, treats skin laxity in all directions, and can address a more comprehensive area of the inner and outer thigh. The vertical thigh lift requires an incision along the inner thigh, from the knee to the groin. The technique Dr. Rednam uses generally does not need to curve around to the buttock; improving cosmesis and comfort post-op.
Hybrid Thigh Lift
A combination of a horizontal and vertical thigh lift which can correct more mild moderate to moderate sagging, This treats skin laxity in two directions, and can address the excess and shape in more than one plane. The hybrid thigh lift requires an incision in the groin crease and the vertical incision extends along the inner thigh but no lower than a pair of shorts. This is a useful technique that not many surgeons utilize for skin excess that doesn’t require a full vertical incision to the knee but needs a small one to prevent inferior scar migration.
The Thigh Lift Procedure
Thigh lift surgery is an outpatient procedure performed under general anesthesia. To begin the thigh lift procedure, she makes incisions based on the surgical plan discussed during consultation. She then removes excess skin and fat, tightening the remaining skin to reveal smoother and more contoured thighs. Finally, the incisions are closed with sutures.
Thigh Lift Recovery
After your thigh lift surgery, you may experience some swelling and bruising. Dr. Rednam offers a long-lasting, non-opioid medication for a more comfortable recovery that provides three full days of pain management. You will need to wear a compression garment for six weeks to aid in healing. Most patients are able to resume light normal activities within a week, but you will be restricted from heavy lifting or strenuous activity for three weeks. You should expect to take about three weeks off of work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Thigh Lift Surgery FAQs
The cost of thigh lift surgery at Dr. Rednam’s practice in Houston is based on each patient’s unique treatment plan and the projected extent and duration of the procedure. Before your thigh lift procedure is scheduled, you will receive a detailed cost breakdown.
Thigh lift is often performed as a stand-alone procedure, but it may be combined with liposuction. Thigh lift surgery may also be part of a more comprehensive post-weight loss surgical plan, which could include a tummy tuck, breast lift, or other body procedures. Some of Dr. Rednam’s patients choose to include a thigh lift in a Mommy Makeover.
Any surgical procedure carries some risk of complications or side effects, but Dr. Rednam is highly experienced and takes great precaution to uphold safety standards. Possible
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risks
of thigh lift surgery include infection, bleeding, and changes in skin sensation.
Yes, but it is recommended that you avoid sitting straight for prolonged periods as this can put too much tension on the groin incision. Dr. Rednam also recommends that women use a standing portable urinal for the first 2-3 weeks to avoid wound breakdown in the groin area.
Your scars will depend on what type of incision is used during your procedure. Dr. Rednam will discuss your options with you before surgery and she will advise you in after care methods to reduce visible scarring. Dr. Rednam uses all evidence-based methods to reduce the appearance of a scar afterward.
If you are unhappy with the amount of fat on your thighs, but you have firm skin with good elasticity, then liposuction may be the right procedure to help you achieve smaller, thinner thighs. However, liposuction cannot tighten skin significantly, especially in the medial thigh. The primary goal of thigh lift surgery is to tighten and smooth the thighs by removing excess skin.
Contact Dr. Rednam for Thigh Lift Surgery in The Woodlands and Houston
Dr. Rukmini Rednam specializes in helping post-weight loss patients reach their goals so they can look as good as they feel. Contact us if you have any questions about thigh lift surgery or would like to schedule your consultation appointment at her offices in Houston or The Woodlands, Texas.
1 Cleveland Clinic. Thigh Lift (Thighplasty). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/25012-thigh-lift-thighplasty. Accessed July 24, 2024.
2 American Society of Plastic Surgeon Thigh Lift. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/thigh-lift. Accessed July 1, 2024.
3 American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Thigh Lift. Available: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/thigh-lift/safety Accessed March 3, 2020.
Dr. Rukmini Rednam has either authored or reviewed and approved this content.
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