Thigh lift in London
Thigh lift or thigh reduction surgery is a body contouring procedure that is designed to improve the thigh contour through the surgical removal of excess loose skin and fat in the thigh region. The removal of redundant loose skin leads to a thighs with a smoother appearance and more firm contour. Thigh lift surgery is ideal for patients who have undergone significant weight loss whether though natural means or with bariatric surgery. After significant weight loss the skin overlying the thigh remains permanently stretched and this can cause a significant cosmetic disfigurement. Thigh lift surgery is more commonly performed as an inner thigh lift as this is where most of the excess skin is located. Patients who have redundant skin folds on the outer thighs may benefit from a combined buttock and outer thigh lift.
Thigh lift surgery is commonly combined with liposuction to address localised fat deposits in the thigh area. Liposuction is often the first part of the procedure followed by the surgical excision of excess thigh skin. After a thigh lift, the desired result is a more contoured and firmer thigh with more pleasing aesthetics and without any excess loose skin or unsightly bulges of fat.
The appearance of loose skin in the thigh can be due to a number of factors:
- Hereditary factors with thigh shape being determined by genetics
- Significant weight loss resulting in redundant loose skin
- The ageing process with loss of the normal structural support as a result if changes in collagen structure
Benefits of thigh lift
- Removal of excess skin from the thighs
- Removal of excess fat deposits and cellulite in your thighs
- A more shapely and defined contour to the thighs
All our surgeons are on the GMC specialist register. Our clinic at 106 Crawford Street was recently inspected and rated as good across all 5 domains.
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What is included in my thigh reduction treatment package?
- As many preoperative consultations with your surgeon as you like to make sure the procedure is right for you
- Treatment at a specialist day surgery facility recently rated ‘Good’ by the CQC
- Enhanced same day discharge with the added benefits of recovering in your own home
- 24/7 clinical support from your surgeon for first 48 hours and our expert postoperative support team
- Your very own dedicated patient coordinator
- In-depth preoperative medical assessment to make sure you are fully fit for the brachioplasty procedure
- Exceptionally high standards of postoperative care described as ‘outstanding’ by the CQC with regular telephone and face to face checks by our expert postoperative support team
RealSelf Top Doctors for thigh lift
RealSelf top doctor status is awarded to less than 10% of the RealSelf doctor community. This status is earned by achieving consistently high patient satisfaction (from RealSelf reviews), getting excellent feedback on expert answers to patient questions, and after investing significant time in Q&A and other doctor activity. RealSelf top doctors are rated among the very best surgeons in the United Kingdom and USA.
Why choose Centre for Surgery for your thigh lift procedure?
- Over 10 years experience in all types of thigh lift – Full thigh lift, mini thigh lift and BodyTite thigh lift
- We own and manage our own surgical facilities. Properly performed thigh lift surgery takes time and should not be rushed. Our surgeons perform a maximum of one thigh lift procedure in a day. We do not cram 3-4 procedures into one day like other providers. You want your surgeon to be well-rested and mentally and physically sharp to perform thigh lift which is a very physically demanding procedure to get the very best results.
- Our surgeons live and work in the UK. This is very important because whilst your surgeon takes all precautions to minimise complications, complications can and do occur and our surgeons are readily available to manage any issues if and when they arise. Thigh lift is particularly well known for a higher risk of wound complications and any postoperative care must be very proactive to identify any issues as early as possible.
Why do people have thigh lift?
With the ageing process, the skin gradually loses elasticity and subsequently begins to sag under the influence of gravity. Patients who have experienced significant weight loss may develop more pronounced skin laxity due to loss of the underlying structural support caused by stretching out of the skin. The cycle of weight gain followed by weight loss leads to a permanent loss of skin elasticity. The skin does not return its original level of tautness despite diet and exercise. The best treatment for loose redundant skin is surgical excision combined with liposuction to contour the thigh region. Patients with large amount of hanging and sagging skin may develop a loss of confidence which can affect their daily activities and also the clothing they choose to wear including swimwear and gym clothing. Thigh lift surgery is a highly effective body contouring treatment to address both skin laxity and fat excess to enable you to restore your confidence.
Patient testimonials
Things to consider before having thigh reduction surgery
We believe that the best outcomes after thighplasty happen when patients make the right choice of clinic and surgeon.
1. In deciding on the right clinic for you, always carry out extensive research and choose a well established and reputable clinic. Centre for Surgery are specialists in cosmetic surgery and have been established for many years. Our patient coordinators and surgeons are here to answer any questions you may have to empower you with the right information.
2. Your choice of surgeon should be based on their qualifications, experience and having a record of good patient feedbacks. You should know who you will be seeing before your consultation. At Centre for surgery, our surgeons are specially selected after a rigorous appointments process to ensure they have the right skill set to perform cosmetic surgery. Read more about our doctors here.
3. When choosing to have a cosmetic surgery procedure, you should not base your decision on price alone. It is important to make sure you are having treatment in a safe and regulated environment by staff who are both full trained and caring to look after your needs – before, during and after your procedure.
4. Avoid clinics who offer a ‘hard-sell’. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. We believe patient safety and happy satisfied patients are the bedrock of our reputation as an ethical provider of cosmetic surgery. Our doctors are known for giving straightforward honest advice and you can be assured that your journey with Centre for Surgery will be a positive experience on the path to renewed self-confidence.
Benefits of thigh lift surgery
The effects of ageing, gravity and weight changes can cause the skin of the inner and outer thigh to lose tone. Thigh lift surgery is a highly effective procedure for women whose thighs have lost their youthful shape. The surgical procedure can dramatically improve the appearance of sagging thighs. Centre for Surgery has specialist expertise in body contouring surgery after significant weight loss.
Thigh lift surgery is increasing in popularity in the UK. People who have accumulated large amounts of loose, sagging skin on their thighs, and now wish to have their thighs reshaped can consider undergoing thigh lift surgery to lift their saggy thighs. You may also be interested in undergoing a mini thigh lift.
If you are not keen on the idea of having scars from thigh lift surgery, Centre for Surgery also offer a ‘scarless thigh lift‘ utilising the innovative BodyTite RF technology. A BodyTite thigh lift utilises minimally invasive bipolar RF using specially designed single-use cannulas to tighten the skin and soft tissues along with Morpheus8 RF microneedling. By using both BodyTite and Morpheus8, your surgeon is able to address mild to moderate skin laxity in a minimally invasive manner and without the risks and downtime of a traditional full thigh lift which entails both horizontal and vertical scars. A BodyTite thigh lift can be performed under local anaesthetic (with or without oral sedation) in properly selected candidates.
Your surgeon may also wish to combine the BodyTite/Morpheus8 combination with a mini thigh lift to extend the benefits of a partial skin excision. In this case the procedure would be performed with TIVA anaesthesia
Ideal candidates for thigh lift
Ideal candidates for thigh lift surgery inlcude:
- You are at a stable weight below a BMI of 30
- You are good physical and mental health
- Have realistic expectations of what the thigh lift procedure can achieve
- Those looking for long lasting results
- Non-smokers
What questions should I ask during a consultation for thigh lift surgery?
The consultation is the ideal opportunity to ask questions about all aspects of the procedure to ensure you gain an in-depth understanding of what the procedure involves and the risks and benefits. You can then make a decision after discussion of the potential treatment options. Your surgeon is able to provide expert advice and in some cases may determine that a thigh lift may not be appropriate for you.
You could any of the questions below depending on your prior understanding of the procedure:
Am I a good candidate for a thigh lift?
Do I have realistic expectations?
Will a mini thigh lift be able to achieve my goals or will I need a full thigh lift?
Do you have before and after photographs of patients who have undergone similar treatment?
What is the recovery like after a thigh lift?
What level of aftercare do you provide after the procedure?
What I expect in terms of potential side effects such as bruising and swelling and how long do these take to settle down?
What happens if I am not happy with the results?
The procedure is ideal for those who desire a toned appearance of their inner and outer thighs especially for those who feel that they have sagging appearance they want to get rid of. Centre for Surgery offers this procedure for those who are over 18 years old. It is recommended that you stop smoking prior to the procedure, as well as during the recovery period to reduce the risk of wound complications. If you are considering a thigh lift, you may also wish to look at what finance options we have available
Preparation for thigh reduction surgery
At Centre for Surgery, our surgeons believe that any cosmetic surgery procedure should be backed with excellent pre-operative patient preparation. We want all our patients to be fully prepared – physically, mentally and emotionally. Our team strives to go above and beyond to ensure you have a safe procedure with a smooth postoperative recovery leading to great results.
The following steps are important to follow to ensure a smooth recovery after thigh reduction surgery.
- Patients should stop smoking at least 4 weeks before surgery. Smoking leads to a reduction in blood flow and this can lead to impairment of the body’s natural healing process. Stopping smoking well in advance and during the recovery period can help to reduce the risk of complications occurring.
- You should stop certain medications before surgery including aspirin and medicines containing aspirin including NSAIDS and herbal remedies as of these can leads to increased bleeding after the procedure.
- You should ensure you have an adult escort to take you home in a private car or taxi and to care for you during the first 24-48 hours after your surgical procedure.
The thigh lift procedure
Thigh lift surgery is performed as a day case procedure under TIVA general anaesthesia. This means you can recover in the comfort of your own home later the same day. The procedure takes about 2-3 hours to perform depending on the amount of excess loose skin and whether additional liposuction needs to be performed. Thigh lift surgery uses a combination of 2 surgical methods to both reduce the size of the thigh and contour the thigh through the removal of skin. Liposuction is performed first followed by surgical removal of excess skin.
The surgical removal or excision of excess thigh skin effectively treats the loose hanging folds of skin that are commonly found in the inner thigh region. The incision for a thigh lift is most commonly made on the inside of the thigh. An ellipse of redundant skin is surgically removed followed by a small amount of liposuction to fine tune the contouring of the area. Once the desired thigh reduction has been achieved, the surgeon will meticulously suture the thigh incisions to leave a cosmetically acceptable scar. Thigh lift surgery is a combination procedure that encompasses both the removal of excess fat deposits and the removal of redundant thigh skin to expertly contour the thigh leaving a contoured and sculpted appearance that is firm to the touch.
Thigh lift surgery can be either a mini thigh lift or a full thigh lift. The difference is in the placement of the incisions. The surgeon may make either a horizontal or vertical incision, depending on your thigh shape, the location of the excess skin and fat and your end goals. A mini thigh lift incision is located primarily in the groin fold with no extension down the thigh. Full thigh lift involves both the groin incision and the full length incision down the thigh to effectively address thigh skin laxity. In either case, liposuction using the power-assisted technique is commonly employed to remove excess fat in a minimally invasive manner. The decision to perform liposuction will be determined by the amount of skin laxity and the amount of excess fat present. Those with better skin quality may benefit more from liposuction as their skin envelope will be able to more effectively contract down on the newly reduced thigh contour. Massive weight loss patients will benefit more from a primarily surgical skin removal technique as liposuction may worsen any significant pre-existing skin laxity. At the end of the thigh lift procedure, the surgeon will use dissolvable sutures which eliminate the need for separate suture removal and a sterile dressing will be applied. A specialist compression garment will be applied to reduce the amount of bruising and swelling and protect the incisions from unintended trauma.
Principles of successful thigh lift surgery
Thigh lift surgery can be a complex procedure and it is important to choose a highly experienced body contouring surgeon to get the best results. The success of thigh lift surgery is determined by both thigh symmetry and potential scarring after thigh reduction surgery.
- Your surgeon takes preoperative planning very seriously to make sure that outcomes after thigh lift are optimal. Obtaining a symmetrical result is a function of accurate preoperative markings and using delicate surgical technique to minimise the risk of bleeding. Our surgeons often see patients who have had thigh lift surgery performed elsewhere and have had unsymmetrical results. Revision thigh lift surgery using fat grafting and sometimes skin grafting is required to address the asymmetry.
- Thigh lift surgery results in a significant scar burden. Despite this, our surgeons take great care to place incision in natural skin folds to minimise visible scarring. Thigh lift scars take a number of months to fully mature. At Centre for Surgery our specialists have access to the full range of scar treatments to optimise the appearance of thigh lift scars.
Recovery after thigh lift
These risks and complications can be reduced by carefully following the post-surgery advice of your surgeon. Make sure that you have someone to look after you at home for at least the first week following the surgery.
Start walking as soon as possible, but avoid strenuous activities like gym activities or heavy housework as they may stress the incision sites.
Following a thigh tuck, light exercise is usually recommended as it can speed up the healing process and minimize the risk of developing blood clots. It may take you approximately four to six weeks to resume vigorous exercise. It is strongly recommended to wear the compression garment to help minimise bruising and swelling and smoothen the skin. Post-operative dressings are usually removed in two to three days. A visit to the surgeon will be needed for a wound evaluation.
If the above-mentioned instructions are followed closely, the thigh lift results can last for many years.
How to improve the appearance of thigh lift scars
Thigh lift surgery has increased in popularity as an effective method of improving thigh contour after all degrees of weight loss from mild to massive. Many patients are concerned about the appearance of scars after thigh lift surgery but with modern surgical techniques this has become less of a concern. Most patients accept the trade-off between achieving a dramatically improved thigh contour at the expense of what can be a long scar along the inner thigh. Our surgeons use advanced surgical techniques to give a straighter looking scar that is located along the inside of the thigh and this results in a well concealed scar that is not obviously visible to others.
Thigh lift scars very from one patient to another and there are a number of factors which can influence the degree of scar formation:
- Positioning of scar
- Skin colour
- History of hypertrophic or keloid scars
- Exposure of healing incisions to strong sunlight
All thigh lift incisions leave scars as a result of the procedure to remove excess skin and fat. Modern methods of scar management help to improve the appearance of scars. It is important to wear the postoperative garment as instructed by the surgeon in combination with specialised postoperative brown tape along the incisions. This protocol helps to prevent stretching of the scar and reduce the incidence of red and raised scars over time. At 4 weeks after surgery, your surgeon may recommended the application of silicone gel sheets once the incisions have fully healed and this will help to optimise scar cosmesis further. It is extremely important to keep the thigh incisions out of direct sunlight and to use a sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher applied to the scars. You should avoid direct sunlight exposure to the treated areas for 6 months after surgery.
Potential Risks and Complications
As with any other surgery, thigh tuck carries a few risks and complications. Mentioned below are some of the potential complications associated with the surgery:
- Persistent pain and discomfort during the healing process following a thigh tuck
- Although rare, excessive bleeding can occur after this procedure
- Substantial swelling that probably will last for several weeks
- Bruising at the incision sites that can spread down the legs
- Infection
- Long visible scars
- Possibility of scarring
- Blood clots
- Nerve damage
- Fluid collection underneath the skin
- Anaesthetic complications
- Temporary or numbness around the thighs
- Porary or numbness around the thighs
Thigh lift before and after
At Centre for Surgery, we only show photos of our patients that have given written consent allowing use of their images on our website.
Case 1:
Bilateral inner thigh lift
Case 2:
Bilateral inner thigh lift after massive weight loss using vertical scar technique and liposuction
FAQs
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What is a thigh lift (thigh reduction)?Thigh lift surgery is designed to address excess redundant skin in the thigh area along with the removal of excess fat deposits with liposuction to create a more contoured and slimmer thigh. The exact type of procedure to address excess skin and fat depends on whether you have predominantly excess skin or excess or fat or both. Liposuction is usually combined with surgical excision for effective contouring of the thigh. Thigh lift surgery is most commonly performed as a day case under TIVA anaesthesia. The procedure takes about 2-3 hours to perform on average. It is common to experience a degree of bruising for up to 3 weeks after the procedure. Scars after thigh lift surgery can be improved with silicone gel sheeting which can be applied after 4 weeks.
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Am I an ideal candidate for thigh lift?The procedure is ideal for those who desire a toned appearance of their inner and outer thighs especially for those who feel that they have sagging appearance they want to get rid of. Those who have lost a large amount of weight and have sagging skin may wish to undergo a thigh lift.
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Who will carry out my thigh lift surgery?Thigh lift surgery is carried out by one of our skilled and experienced plastic surgeons who all have years of experience in body contouring surgery of all types. All our surgeons are selected after a rigorous appointments process to ensure they have the right skill set to perform your thigh reduction procedure.
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What is the recovery period like?Start walking as soon as possible, but avoid strenuous activities like gym activities or heavy housework as they may stress the incision sites.
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Will I need to wear a compression garment?You will need to wear a compression garment after having a thigh lift. This will help to keep the thighs in the best shape possible, avoid any fluid build up and avoid any wound injuries.
Your surgeon will be able to advise you exactly how long you will be required to wear your compression garment. -
What are the risks associated with the procedure?You can expect pain and discomfort during the recovery period and also substantial swelling but it will go away over time. Potential risks such as infection, excessive bleeding, blood clots, nerve damage may occur, but very rare.
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Can I have other surgeries with a thigh lift?Many people will wish to combine a thigh lift with other cosmetic procedures such as liposuction, a buttock lift or fat transfer to the buttock. This will help you to achieve a fully rejuvenated appearance.
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Will I have to stay in hospital overnight?At Centre for Surgery, a thigh lift is performed as a day case. This means you will be able to return home on the same day as your procedure once the effects of the anaesthetic have worn off.
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When can I start exercising again?You will have to avoid all vigorous physical exercise for four to six weeks.
You will be encouraged to walk as soon as possible in order to minimise the likelihood of blood clots occurring.
What To Expect
The consultation
When you have a consultation with your surgeon for thigh lift surgery, a number of measurements are taken of the arms where fat and skin is to be removed and an assessment will be made of the soft tissue quality. Those who have good skin elasticity may will be a good candidate for liposuction of the inner thighs alone. For patients with more significant degrees of skin laxity then a mini or full full thigh lift may be more appropriate. The surgeon will also give information on the location of the incisions for the thigh lift and also whether the thigh reduction is to be combined with liposuction or BodyTite.
High-resolution photos will be taken and your surgeon may also use computer digital imaging. Your surgeon will take time to discuss the important risks and potential complications of thigh reduction surgery and what you can expect in the postoperative period.
The surgeon will also take a full medical history which includes previous operations, current list of medicines taken and any potential allergies. This information will be used to decide on your fitness for the thighplasty procedure. If you are deemed to be a suitable candidate for thigh reduction surgery then we would recommend to spend a period of time to reflect on all the information given. We always recommend a minimum of a '2 week cool off period' for to weigh up your options.
All our prospective patients are more than welcome to have as many follow-up consultations after their initial consultation to make sure you are fully empowered with all the information to make an informed decision for proceeding with thigh reduction surgery at Centre for Surgery in London.
Before the procedure
Once you have decided that thigh reduction surgery is right for you, our preoperative assessment team will be in contact to prepare you for the thighplasty surgery.
The following are recommended actions to take:
- For 6 weeks beforehand, it is highly recommended to stop smoking as active smoking is associated with a number of risks including delayed wound healing which could result in wound infection.
- You should also avoid aspirin and all medicines containing aspirin for at least one week prior to the thigh lift procedure.
- For 6 hours before the thigh lift procedure, you should refrain from eating any food or any type of drink apart from sips of clear fluid (water and tea/coffee without added milk) which is allowed for up to 2 hours before the procedure.
On the day of the procedure
Please aim to arrive for your thigh lift procedure at the confirmed time. One of our nursing team will admit you for the procedure and will carry out a number of tasks including checking your blood pressure and other vital signs including pulse and temperature and then getting you changed into single-use clinic wear. The anaesthetist will then come in to assess you to make sure you are fit for TIVA anaesthetic and will also prescribe a number of pre-medications which are given by your nurse to help your recovery after the thigh lift procedure. You will then be seen by your surgeon who will confirm the procedure to undertaken and you will sign the informed consent form. Skin marking and photos may be taken at this point.
Thigh lift is very commonly performed in conjunction with liposuction at Centre for Surgery and is carried out under TIVA general anaesthesia as a day case. Mini thigh lift surgery can be carried out under local anaesthetic in selected patients as the incision is discreetly located in the groin crease only. The full thigh lift procedure takes approximately 1-3 hours to carry out. During thigh lift surgery, your surgeon will make incisions in the marked areas of the thighs. The procedures starts with liposuction of the thighs followed by the thigh skin excision step. The fat tissue is surgically removed using specialised cannulas to contour the marked body areas before closing the skin with dissolvable sutures. Sterile dressings are then applied to the sites of the incisions followed by the application of a compression garment.
Once you have woken up from the TIVA anaesthetic, our nurses will closely monitor you for 1-3 hours afterwards to make sure you make a full recovery. You will be given a fruit juice drink or a hot drink as you prefer to build up your energy levels. Once you are assessed as fit for discharge, you will require a responsible adult escort to take you home in a car or taxi and to look after you for at least the first 24 hours after surgery.
The thighs will be placed in a compression garment after surgery to reduce bruising and swelling. You may feel quite stiff and it is common to experience mild discomfort during any leg movements in the first few days after surgery. The surgeon uses dissolvable sutures to avoid the inconvenience of suture removal. The bruising should settle down after about 3 weeks.
After your procedure
After the thigh lift procedure, our dedicated postoperative support team are available round the clock to answer any questions or concerns you may have. Our team will call you regularly for the first 2 weeks after your procedure to make sure your pain levels are well controlled and your healing is progressing as normal. With thigh lift surgery, the frequency of postoperative dressing appointments are often higher to ensure the application of fresh dressings to facilitate proper wound healing.
The recovery after thigh lift is usually very straightforward with minimal discomfort that can be effectively controlled with tablet painkillers and the majority of our patients are very comfortable by the end of week 1. Your doctor may recommend a period of approximately one week off work. You should minimise any excessive physical activity for the first 2 weeks after surgery to help with the healing of the incisions and reduce swelling.
You will be required to wear a supportive compression garment for a full 6 weeks to make sure healing is optimal, and so that scars heal with best results.
You will attend for a postoperative check up with one of our nursing team at 7-10 days to review your surgical wound sites and ensure proper healing is taking place. Recommendations on treatments for scar healing may be given for optimal cosmesis. At 6 weeks you should begin to see your final results and you will see your surgeon for a comprehensive review and make sure your results are in line with your expectations.
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