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Slim, Tone & Define Your Legs

Often combined with a lower body lift, a thigh lift or leg lift is designed to remove unsightly amounts of excess skin and fat on the inner and outer thighs.

Liposuction is often utilized to improve the finer contours of your legs and help you achieve tighter, toned and more attractive thighs.

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Who Is An Ideal Candidate for a Thigh Lift?

Thigh lift surgery is generally appropriate for healthy adults who are at a relatively stable weight. Many patients who seek this procedure have achieved significant weight loss and are left with loose, sagging skin around the thighs. Maintaining the habits that resulted in weight loss can also work to sustain the results of thigh lift surgery.

Good thigh lift candidates may have excess soft tissue along the inner or outer regions of the thighs. The procedure trims excess skin and also removes the thin layer of fat beneath. If there is a significant amount of fat present, the doctor may also perform liposuction. During the consultation, the surgeon sets realistic expectations for each patient based on their anatomy and treatment plan.

Is a Thigh Lift Painful?

Patients undergoing a thigh lift in St. Louis usually receive general anesthesia. This keeps them in a sleep-like state throughout the procedure and also interrupts neurotransmitter activity, so the brain does not register pain. After surgery, patients can expect soreness and pain. It is difficult to predict how severe this may be for every patient. Prescription painkillers should be taken as directed without skipping doses at least for a few days.

Thigh Lift Benefits

  • Improved Contour and Shape: A thigh lift reshapes the thighs, creating a smoother and more defined appearance.
  • Removal of Excess Skin: It eliminates sagging skin, particularly after significant weight loss, enhancing comfort and aesthetics.
  • Enhanced Confidence: The procedure helps boost self-esteem by providing firmer, more youthful-looking thighs.
  • Better Fit in Clothing: Patients often find that their clothes, especially shorts and swimwear, fit better after a thigh lift.
  • Increased Mobility: By removing excess skin, a thigh lift can reduce friction and discomfort, improving ease of movement during physical activities.
  • Long-Lasting Results: The results of a thigh lift are typically long-lasting, especially when paired with a stable weight and healthy lifestyle.
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What Are The Potential Risks Associated with Thigh Lifts?

The thigh lift procedure has risks associated with general anesthesia and also with the procedure itself, or how the body may heal from the surgery. Typical surgical risks include infection, bleeding, blood clots, and nerve damage. Thigh lift risks include poor scarring, pain, fluid retention, asymmetrical results, and hematoma.

To minimize risks during recovery, patients should follow all post-operative instructions.

These may include:

  • Move the lower legs several times a day beginning the day of surgery.
  • Rest as much as possible during the 2 weeks after surgery.
  • Take pain medication exactly as directed.
  • Begin easy walking as soon as it is comfortable to do so. This may take 2 to 3 days.
  • Wear compression stockings.
  • Eat water-rich, nutrient-dense foods that are low in sodium to prevent fluid retention.

How Do I Prepare for a Thigh Lift?

During the consultation for thigh lift surgery, patients should discuss their health history and disclose any medications or supplements they are taking. It is important to avoid substances that thin the blood before undergoing a surgical procedure. A general list may be provided in our preoperative instructions or may be found online.

The purpose of avoiding blood-thinners is to reduce surgical risks like excessive bleeding and also to keep post-surgical bruising to a minimum. Patients who smoke must stop several weeks before surgery. The chemicals introduced into the body by smoking inhibit oxygenation of the blood and are proven to slow down the healing process. Smoking can significantly increase the risk of poor surgical outcomes.

Recovery planning should include picking up prescriptions and necessary medical supplies before the day of surgery. It should also involve preparing for several days of relative inactivity. Patients will want to wear loose clothing and have a variety of forms of entertainment to keep them busy while they are limited in what they can do and where they can go.

About Your Thigh Lift

Your thigh lift usually takes around two to three hours, and will consist of either an outer or inner lift. It can also be performed in conjunction with a number of other body contouring procedures to create an overall slimmer physique. A thigh lift is best when used to:

  • Eliminate excessive amounts of skin or tissue
  • Restore and define contours

Incisions are made and the excess skin and fat are removed and tightened. In some cases, liposuction may be used to help remove more localized pockets of fat. Your upper thighs will be wrapped in gauze, as well as an elastic compression bandage, to help minimize excessive swelling and bruising. You should be able to resume normal activities within 3-4 weeks of surgery.

With our doctor’s exceptional talents and specialized techniques, your thighs will be reshaped, tightened, and better proportioned to your body.

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What Is The Recovery Process and After Care for Leg Lift Procedures?

Patients are typically instructed to take about two weeks off work and other obligations to allow their bodies to heal. Thigh lift surgery is an outpatient procedure, so patients go home a few hours after their treatment is done. It can take several hours for anesthesia to wear off completely. During that time, patients may feel groggy, sleepy, or nausea.

At home, patients must rest as much as their body requests. It is not uncommon to sleep several hours a day after surgery. This is because the body is devoting energy to healing tissues and also because prescription pain medication may have a sedative effect. When not sleeping, patients are relatively limited in their movements for a few days. During this time, the calves should be moved to prevent blood clots. This may be done by moving the toes up and down or, when sitting, tapping the heels then toes on the floor. After a few days, patients are typically able to start walking around the house.

A follow-up visit is usually scheduled about one week after the thigh lift. If drains have been placed, they are removed at this visit. Stitches may also be removed at that time. The compression garment applied after surgery must still be worn after the follow-up. This may continue for several weeks to protect incisions and support the thighs.

Gradually, patients may begin increasing activity after 1 to 2 weeks. Strenuous activity and heavy lifting must be avoided for as long as 6 weeks. At that time, incisions should be fully healed and swelling significantly reduced. The results of surgery are apparent by 6-weeks post-op. However, they continue to improve for up to 12 months.

Thigh Lift FAQ

What type of scarring can I expect after a thigh lift?

How do I maintain the results of my thigh lift?

Can a thigh lift be combined with other procedures?

What type of scarring can I expect after a thigh lift?

The location and size of the scars depend on the extent of the surgery, but they are usually hidden along the inner thigh or in natural creases. Over time, scars tend to fade significantly with proper care.

How do I maintain the results of my thigh lift?

To maintain your thigh lift results, it's important to keep a stable weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise. Significant weight gain or loss can affect the long-term appearance of your thighs.

Can a thigh lift be combined with other procedures?

Yes, a thigh lift is often combined with procedures like liposuction, tummy tuck, or lower body lift to achieve more comprehensive contouring results, especially after significant weight loss.

Learn More About the Thigh Lift Today

If a thigh lift in St. Peters is something you have been considering, find out how our St. Peters plastic surgeons can help you. Contact Renaissance Plastic Surgery today to schedule your thigh lift consultation. You can also call us at (636) 896-0600.

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