Thigh Lift

Thigh lift surgery can markedly improve the appearance of your legs. For many people the upper legs remain stubbornly resistant to diet and exercise. While some people achieve good results with vigorous exercise and a healthy diet, others find it difficult or even impossible to tone their thighs. Candidates for thigh lifts typically suffer from loose (inelastic), unsightly skin on many or most areas of the body.

Fat and excess skin can accumulate on the thighs as a result of age, childbearing or significant weight loss. This makes people feel self-conscious about their appearance. If you are committed to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and a moderate weight, a thigh lift, performed by Dr. M. Zakir Sabry, can help you regain the youthful thigh contours you desire.

If your thighs are very large and have a great deal of fatty tissue, liposuction may be used as an alternative or adjunct to the re-contouring of the inner thigh. This approach may reduce much of the localized excess tissue and potentially minimize the length of the incision needed if you proceed with a thigh lift surgery. If you elect to do liposuction first, Dr. Sabry will monitor you for few months, then re-evaluate you to determine if you will get additional benefit from a Thigh Lift.

Murray Hill Plastic Surgery & Vein Center Thigh Lift

Thigh Lift Consultations

During your thigh lift consultation with Dr. M. Zakir Sabry, he will answer questions you may have about the procedure and will discuss any safety concerns related to the surgery.

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Preparation

At your consultation, Dr. Sabry will do a complete medical history and physical exam, including weight, your skin tone, body fat distribution, cellulite, and overall health conditions. Dr. Sabry will have an in depth discussion with you to establish goals and realistic expectation. Once it is established that you are a candidate for surgery, Dr. Sabry will ascertain whether a medial or lateral thigh lift is most appropriate, or whether you will benefit from a combined lower body lift. He will discuss realistic expectations, and will devise a procedure plan that you both agree on. If you are a smoker, you will be asked to quit smoking for 6-8 weeks prior to your procedure.

As you approach the date of your surgery you will have a comprehensive preoperative visit in our office approximately two weeks before your surgery. A complete list of “dos and don’ts” will be reviewed as well as the pre and postoperative instructions and any questions that remain will be answered. You will be directed to avoid anything that has a blood-thinning effect (aspirin, ibuprofen, vitamin E etc.) for two weeks before surgery. You will be asked to minimize alcohol intake. Basic blood work for preoperative testing will be ordered.

Procedure

There are two types of thigh lifts:

Inner Thigh Lift (medial thigh lift)

The medial thigh lift is performed with incisions in the groin crease, or occasionally with a vertical incision where skin is undermined. Excess fat is liposuctioned and the skin redraped for a more toned look.

Outer Thigh Lift (lateral thigh lift)

This is a more complex procedure, usually involving the recontouring of the buttocks as well as the outer thighs and removal of more tissue. Scarring is more extensive, and the skin will be less elastic after the surgery, so a stable weight should be established prior to surgery and maintained going forward.

Recovery

After surgery, patients are encouraged to walk as soon as they are able. Swelling should subside in three to five weeks. A compression garment will be worn for a minimum of 2 weeks continuously and another 2 to 3 weeks at nights. You may resume driving and walking for exercise after the first two to three weeks, when these activities do not cause pain.

Avoid heavy lifting and jogging for six to eight weeks.  Dr. Sabry will see you for post-operative visits. He and our staff will answer any questions you may have about your recovery, as well as your overall health and well-being.

Complications

All surgical procedures carry some risk. Under Dr. Sabry’s expert and meticulous care all measures are taken to minimize the potential.  Although they rarely occur, risks associated with thigh lift surgery include: swelling at the incision site(s), fluid accumulation in the legs, blood clots, changes in the sensation of the skin such as numbness and pain, poor wound healing.