Unhappy with the appearance of your thighs? Feel like your thighs are too big? Lost a lot of weight and now have excess skin? Do you want to have a slimmer or more youthful appearance? A thigh lift is an effective way to improve large or sagging thighs.
Factors such as weight loss or gain, pregnancy and ageing can dramatically change the appearance of your thighs. This can make your thighs look out of proportion to the rest of your body or can make you feel self-conscious about your thighs. Excess skin can even cause functionality problems, as it will be prone to rubbing in warmer weather.
A thigh lift is often performed alongside other procedures such as liposuction, a buttock lift or a Brazilian Butt Lift.
AT A GLANCE
Anaesthesia type: ClearSleep
Procedure time: 3-4 hours
Recovery time: 1-2 weeks
Often factors such s weight gain or loss, pregnancy, or factors beyond our control such as ageing change the size and tone of our body, and the thighs are no exception. Those who have excess skin on their thighs may feel self-conscious or dislike their appearance. To remove this excess skin, a thigh lift is needed. A thigh lift is an extremely effective way to reduce excess skin and reshape your thighs, making them appear more youthful.
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.
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. Smoking can often cause problems during the procedure and recovery period. Therefore, you will need to stop smoking at least two weeks before the surgery.
Prior to having any surgery, you will have a consultation with your surgeon. This will allow your surgeon to talk to you, take your medical history and get an idea of what you want and what your end goals are. If you are planning to have multiple procedures at the same time, your surgeon will be able to assess whether or not you are eligible.
Before surgery, you will be given Centre for Surgery’s ClearSleep anaesthetic, which means you will be asleep for the procedure and unable to hear or feel anything. ClearSleep means you will not need any breathing tubes or machines will feel better after the procedure and will have a quicker recovery time.
The surgery involves making an incision along the thigh. The length of the incision will vary depending on how much skin is being removed. Generally, the incision will be on the inner thigh and can be as long as from the knee to the groin. The excess skin will then be removed, the thigh shaped, and the incision will be closed.
The surgery will take about three to four hours to complete – this will be longer if you are combining the thigh lift with other procedures.
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.
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
Surgeon-led and managed care throughout for a truly personalised approach
Our innovative ClearSleep anaesthesia technique
Comprehensive aftercare programme
Financing options available
Call us on 020 7993 4849 / 0900 – 2000 Mon – Sat
Am I an ideal candidate for thigh lift?
The procedure is ideally 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.
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.
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.
Is a thigh lift a day procedure?
Yes. You will be able to return home once the effects of the anaesthetic have worn off.
When can I return to work?
You will have to take at least 48 hours off work, however, some people may need longer to recover.
This will increase if you had other procedures at the same time.
When can I start exercising again?
You will have to avoid any strenuous physical activity for four weeks after the thigh lift.
Will I have to wear a compression garment?
You will need to wear compression tights for the first four weeks. This will help both your skin and your scar and help to make our recovery time quicker.
Can I have other procedures at the same time?
Some people will choose to have a buttock lift, a Brazilian Butt Lift or liposuction at the same time as a thigh lift.
If you are considered multiple surgeries, you will need to discuss this with your surgeon during your consultation, who will be able to advise if you are a suitable candidate.
Will I have a scar?
You will have a scar where the incision was made. This will look worst directly after the procedure. Over time the scar will fade in size and colour so it will be less noticeable.