Thigh Lift Surgery

In Phoenix and Glendale, Arizona

Dr. Paul Angelchik is a Phoenix plastic surgery specialist who offers thigh lift at his practice. In the paragraphs below he describes this procedure and how Scottsdale, Glendale and Phoenix thigh lift patients have benefited from treatment.

Definition

Thigh lift procedures are divided into those procedures that lift the inner thigh and those that lift the outer thigh and buttocks. Outer thigh lifts and buttock lifts are now most commonly done in conjunction with a tummy tuck and this constitutes a lower body lift.

Inner thigh lifts may be done with a lower body lift, but most often are done as a separate procedure to facilitate an easier recovery. For some patients enough tightening is attained with the lower body lift that an inner thigh lift becomes unnecessary. Please see the body lift procedure page at Body Lift.

Thigh Lift: Indications & Technique

Inner thigh lifts are done to tighten loose sagging skin on the inner thigh that cannot be corrected by diet/exercise or liposuction because of loss of elasticity (ability of the skin to snap back to its original position when stretched). This loss of elasticity can come from massive weight loss (MWL), genetic predisposition to loose skin, aging, or a combination of the above. The problem may be mild, moderate, or severe and involve just the upper thigh, or extend even beyond the knee.

The more traditional thigh lift technique involves making an elliptical (wedge shaped) incision in the groin crease where the thigh meets the pelvis, removing the ellipse section of skin and lifting the skin from the lower thigh up to the upper part of the incision. This creates the tightening effect and the tissues are anchored to deeper fascia (dense connective tissue) at the crease area. The anchoring maneuver helps to reduce the risk of the incisions healing and then descending lower on the thigh where they might be visible.

This procedure is appropriate for patients with milder forms of thigh sagging and in those patients who wish to avoid more visible scarring on the inside of the thigh. It is not ideal for patients with severe cases of loose skin because inevitably the upward pull of the lift against gravity looses power farther down the leg and the tissues relax again, or the upward pull just isn’t strong enough to do the job alone.

For patients who have more advanced problems with loose inner thigh skin, often MWL patients, a vertical incision extending down the inside of the leg can help to remove more loose skin and get a better long term result, but this comes at the price of a scar that could extend the length of the thigh if required for optimum contouring. The results in this group are substantially better if this incision is made. The vertical component of the lift is done not just by taking a wedge of skin and fat out, but by liposuction of the segment where skin is to be removed and then careful superficial removal of the skin only. The goal of this approach is to avoid disrupting the lymphatic drainage of the leg and to preserve the saphenous vein. By preserving the veins and lymphatics, there is less risk of long term swelling or blood clots with the surgery. Other areas on the thighs may also be liposuctioned to get better contouring. Patients must accept and understand the placement of the vertical inner thigh lift scar if this is decided upon in consultation.

Thigh Lift: Surgery & Aftercare

The surgery is done under general anesthesia, with a one night postoperative stay. The major issue with recovery with procedures are positioning because a sitting or squatting position is discouraged for 2 weeks to avoid pulling too hard on the groin incision until the tissues relax enough to avoid a separation of the suture line. Pain is moderate and well controlled with oral pain medication. Antibiotics are prescribed for 1 week and hygiene is reviewed to minimize the risk of infection in the groin area. Sutures are dissolvable and do not need to be removed. Early walking is encouraged to reduce the risk of blood clots. Patients can typically return to a desk job at 2-3 weeks. Regular exercise can be resumed at 6 weeks.

All thigh lift procedures have some degree of risk. While most patients do not have complications, complications that do not affect the outcome of a treatment or surgery may occur with some frequency. Major complications are uncommon. The specific risks and the suitability of a particular procedure are carefully reviewed at your consultation (and preoperative visits if you are having surgery). Your safety and comfort are our foremost concerns. We will provide additional detailed information for you at each stage of your experience from your initial contact with our office through your procedure and afterwards in an interactive fashion. We will ensure that you feel informed about your treatment options and recovery in advance and can actively and confidently participate in designing your treatment plan. We want you to have the best possible experience and will work with you to make it happen.

In addition to thigh lift, Dr. Angelchik also performs other body contouring procedures in his Phoenix cosmetic surgery practice. Visit these pages in the website to learn about how Dr. Angelchik treats Phoenix liposuction,  tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), body lift and brachioplasty patients.