Frequently Asked Questions
Am I a good candidate for this type of surgery?
You have tried a variety of weight loss methods and you have, through a combination of dieting and exercise and sheer willpower, managed to lose an extraordinary amount of weight. That hard earned loss of weight has unfortunately not been accompanied by a similar tightening of your inner thigh skin. If this describes you, you are most likely a good candidate for thigh lift surgery.
You may not be a good candidate for thigh lift, if you have problems with wound healing. Most patients have no problems with this and their skin has enough blood supply reserve to ensure excellent wound healing.
If certain chronic conditions, such as hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes, obesity or respiratory illnesses are poorly controlled, or you are immunocompromised, require anti-coagulants (blood thinners), or you are an active smoker, you may not be a safe candidate for this procedure. See also: Smoking and BMI.
What kind of scars will I have and where will they be located?
The scars following a thigh lift are located along the inner groin crease. If necessary, an additional incision is placed vertically along the inside of the thigh.
Because the weight of the skin, fat and muscle of the thigh is so great, the scars from the lift tend to spread and migrate downward. Even though they start out high in the groin crease, they are often visible below the bathing suit line later on.
If a person has massive weight loss, this procedure is well worth it, but only if the trade-off for permanent visible scars is well understood.
How long is the operation?
The actual surgical time varies depending on the amount of surgery necessary for each patient, but it usually is about four hours.
How long is the hospital stay?
A thigh lift is an outpatient procedure performed under general anaesthesia, meaning you can go home the same day once you have recovered from the anaesthetic.
How much pain should I expect?
This is a difficult question to answer definitively. Every patient has a different pain tolerance. However, we will prescribe sufficient pain medication throughout your recovery period to ensure the discomfort you feel is manageable.
Most people feel tender and bruised after surgery, but are not in a great deal of pain.
What happens after the surgery?
We use dissolvable stitches so there will be no need to have them removed post operatively. Swelling and bruising on the thigh skin are routinely seen after the operation but they will recede in the weeks following the operation. Complete resolution of swelling can take up to one year.
When can I go in the sun?
You should avoid exposing your new scars to the sun for at least six months or until they have matured well. Sunlight can permanently affect the skin's pigmentation, causing your scars to turn dark. If sun exposure is unavoidable, use a strong sun block.
Will I need to wear a support garment?
Your support garment will be placed on immediately after your surgery. You will need to wear this continuously for four weeks, except while showering; thereafter, during the daytime for another two weeks.
Will I have drains?
Yes. Drains are small tubes attached to reservoir bulbs. They are inserted at the time of your surgery, to drain off any fluid that accumulates underneath the surface of the skin. They will be removed approximately 5-7 days post operatively.
We will show you how to milk your drains, every two to four waking hours. Empty the drain bulbs every eight hours and record the volume of fluid collected.
When will I be able to go back to work and resume my normal activities?
You should be up and about in a day or two, although you should plan on taking it easy during the first week. We encourage you to start walking almost immediately after your surgery to diminish the risk of blood clots in your legs, as a result of immobilization from the anaesthetic. Even while you are resting, you should be moving your feet and ankles frequently to promote circulation in your legs. In our experience, this will help you will recover much faster, and with fewer complications.
If you have a sedentary job, you should anticipate about two weeks off work. Occupations involving vigorous physical activity will require a longer period of healing – usually four to six weeks prior to resumption of work.
Strenuous aerobic activity can be resumed at approximately four weeks post operatively. By and large, you should let your body be your guide. If it doesn’t hurt, go do it. If it does hurt, stop.
In general, it will take about a month before you're back to all of your normal activities.
How long will the results last?
This is impossible to answer definitively. Factors affecting the length of the result include age at the time of operation, physical condition before and afterwards, quality of skin, and alterations in weight.
However, the vast majority of people do not require a second thigh lift in their lifetime.
