Thighs lifting

Thigh lifting is a cosmetic surgery aiming at lifting the skin of the inner thigh and taking away the excess of skin or the damaged skin.

Thigh lifting responds to patients with skin laxity in the area of the inner thighs due to skin aging, important weight loss (obesity, pregnancy...) or an unsatisfactory retraction of the skin after an thigh liposuction.

Thigh lift removes skin excess on the upper inner part of the thigh.
It is very often associated with thigh liposuction during one operation.

Technical aspects of a successful thigh lift:

The excess skin is removed on demand.
A deep fixation to the aponeurotic ligament is performed, on the upper part of the inner thigh in order to maintain sagging correction and the scar and to preserve the sustainability of a normal and harmonious anatomy.

The scar is hidden in a natural fold and discreet.

A liposuction is always associated with the procedure in order to reduce fat infiltration.

The shape of the thigh is enhanced and nerves and lymphatic vessels are preserved.

Before the procedure

A usual preoperative check-up is made following your surgeon’s recommendations.

An anaesthesiologist will see you in consultation at the latest 48 hours before the operation.

It is highly recommended to stop smoking at least one month before and one month after the surgery (smoking can delay healing).

No aspirin-based medication should be taken during the 10 days preceding the operation.

An ointment is usually prescribed the day before and the morning of the operation.

The procedure

Every plastic surgeon has his or her personal technical habits which he or she adapts to every new case, in order to obtain the best possible results.

However, there are common principles.

The incision is situated forward, near the groin fold. It extends in the fold between the perineum and the upper part of the inner thigh, until backward in the gluteal fold, where it ends.

It corresponds to the future scar.

In some cases, a vertical scar more or less long is associated in the inner part of the thigh.

A liposuction is associated with the operation each time there is an adipose infiltration in the area.

Skin excess is removed on demand and a deep fixation to the aponeurotic ligament is performed, on the upper part of the inner thigh in order to maintain sagging correction and the scar and to preserve the sustainability of a normal and harmonious anatomy.

The scar is hidden in a natural fold and discreet.

The duration of the procedure is 1h30 to 2h30 depending on the case.
The surgery is carried out under general anaesthesia. An epidural anaesthesia can be performed.

After the procedure

A drainage system is usually placed to reduce the risks for bruises.

It must be kept one or two days.

The dressing is removed the day after the operation. It is replaced by the pressure garment, which you bought before the surgery ad which you need to wear it day and night during 4 to 6 weeks after the operation.

Hospitalization lasts between 24 and 48 hours.

Stitches are dissolvable and do not need to be removed.

You can have a shower from the day after the operation.

Ecchymosis (bruises) and oedema (swelling) are frequent during the first weeks or the first months after surgery. They last between 15 and 21 days. Sensitivity of the inner side of the thighs can be reduced or disappear.

You will need to stop working during about 10 days.

A sport activity can be done again within 2 months after surgery.

The final result will be appreciated 6 months after surgery.

The scars will take their final appearance 12 months after the operation.

Several follow-up consultations are realised: 7 days, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year after surgery.

The scars

Thigh lift implies permanent scars. There are 2 types of scars:

• Horizontal (the most frequent one): it follows the fold between the inner thigh and the genital organs. It extends from the gluteal fold, backward, to the groin fold, forward.

The scar is hidden by underwear.

• T-scar: it is performed when vertical skin excess is very important.

In addition to the horizontal scar, there is a vertical scar in the inner thighs.
Like all scars, thigh lifting scars are permanent and indelible.

The can be reddish and visible during several months.

The final aspect is unpredictable and will be definitive after 1 year.

The scars need to be protected from the sun during 1 year.