A thigh lift is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the inner and outer thighs. It creates smoother skin and more shapely legs. People who have thigh lifts done usually have lost large amounts of weight or have poor collagen elasticity due to aging or genetics. This can create hanging skin of the inner and outer thighs that is undesirable. The kind of thigh lift depends on where the loose skin needs to be tightened.
Types of Thigh Lifts:
- The Short Scar Thigh Lift –an incision is made in the groin to remove excess skin in the upper thigh. It leaves a scar hidden in the natural crease. It is used for slight skin tightening. It cannot correct sagging after major weight loss. Over time, gravity may pull the scar down so it is visible in bathing suits.
- The Long Scar Thigh Lift –an incision is made that goes from the groin to the knee to tighten loose skin of the entire thigh. It is the standard thigh lift that is commonly done. It is a long procedure and cannot be done with other procedures.
After major weight loss, the long scar thigh lift is done. It removes excess thigh skin using a long scar down the inner thigh. Because this is a long operation, it is not usually done with other body lifting procedures.
Liposuction may be done with a thigh lift if there is excess fat in the legs.
Thigh lifts require general anesthesia and long scar thigh lifts require an overnight hospital stay. The surgery may take 2 to 6 hours. Recovery from most thigh lifts is 2 weeks to walk normally and 6 weeks to start exercise. The final results are seen in 6 months.