Thigh Lift

Do you remember what you looked like before time and gravity took over? Millions of men and women diet and exercise on a regular basis. Unfortunately, many of them end up disappointed by the loose, sagging skin remaining on their thighs caused by a significant weight loss. Others find that no matter how hard they work out, they can’t reverse what time and gravity have done to their buttocks.

The thighs are prone to excessive fat accumulation. They often contain deposits of fat that do not respond to diet and exercise.

Thigh Lift Surgery

Thigh lift surgery is performed by Dr. Pane for patients in Palm Beach to tighten the skin of the outer and inner thighs. This procedure is often combined with a tummy tuck ( abdominoplasty ).

These procedures improve the firmness of skin and underlying tissues. For those with tight, unstretched skin, liposuction alone is the treatment of choice.

If the skin is overly stretched, loose and flaccid, liposuction will be combined with excisional surgery to remove the excess skin along with the fat.

Who are the best candidates for a thigh lift?

Men and women with loose skin in the outer and inner thighs are the best candidates for thigh and buttock lifts.

The lower body lift procedures

Depending on the extent of your surgery, the procedure can take from 30 minutes to several hours. Liposuction can be performed under local anesthesia, which numbs the area, combined with a sedative to make you drowsy, or your surgeon may use an epidural block instead. For more extensive liposuction, a general anesthesia may be used.

Liposuction

Liposuction is the most common cosmetic surgical procedure performed today.

Liposuction surgery is performed to actually remove unwanted, localized deposits of fat cells from the body. The procedure is meant for body contouring, not for treatment of obesity. A suction tube is inserted through a tiny incision placed in an inconspicuous location on the skin. With a high-pressure vacuum, fat cells are extracted through this tube. The result is a re-sculpting of bulging areas into more attractive contours. Once removed, the fat cells are gone forever.

Excisional Surgery

Excisional surgery is combined with liposuction when the patient has excessive folds of skin. An incision is made and concealed in the groin area and under the buttocks. The skin is tightened, re-draped and the excess skin is removed. Sutures are used to close the incision.

What will my recovery from my thigh lift be like?

After our physician performs your Thigh lift, you will go home and rest for at least 24 hours, after which you may gradually increase your activity as tolerated. Some discomfort and pain is to be expected, but it can be controlled with medication. The bandage over the incision site will be removed the day after surgery and you will be able to shower. Generally, it is necessary to wear a light compression garment 2 – 3 weeks after your surgery. All sutures are internal and absorbable. After 2 or 3 days you may resume most non-strenuous activities. Walking and other non-strenuous activities including work may be resumed after a week or two. Sports and other strenuous activities are prohibited for at least two months.

How will my skin look after thigh lift surgery?

During the first 10 – 14 days, you will be bruised from your upper thigh down. Scars will be red for the first few months, but they will gradually fade. Patients who have had liposuction will have more swelling than those who only had a lift performed. The use of smaller cannulas during your liposuction allows the fibrous connections between your skin and body to remain. These connections will contract over time, after which the excessive skin folds will be gone.

Following your surgery, you will enjoy the new, more pleasing, youthful shape you desire.