A thigh lift is a surgical procedure used to tighten loose skin on the inner, front and outer thighs. Thigh lifts can be combined with liposuction to achieve the desired contours on the lower body.
Cosmetic benefits
Excess skin in the thighs can be embarrassing for men and women alike. Women may be more self-conscious about the appearance of their thighs, because many types of women's clothing exposes them. Swimsuits in particular offer little coverage on the thighs. Loose, sagging skin is often associated with aging and can detract from an otherwise youthful and firm body, especially for women whose skin was made loose by pregnancy.
During a thigh lift, excess skin and perhaps fat are removed from the thighs. The remaining skin is then tightened and reattached. This eliminates wrinkles, dimples and ripples in the surface of the skin, granting a more youthful appearance. The incisions are typically hidden in the creases of the groin, where they can be easily concealed by clothing. With proper care after surgery, the patient can minimize the appearance of scars from the incisions.
Many of the patients who seek a thigh lift have recently lost a significant amount of weight. Skin that is stretched to accommodate excess weight often loses its ability to bounce back to a proper size and shape when the weight is lost. This can happen all over the body, so if you have recently lost weight, you may choose to combine a thigh lift with other tightening procedures. A buttocks lift, a tummy tuck, a breast lift and an arm lift can all be performed at the same time as a thigh lift. Combining these procedures can produce a dramatic change in the contours of the entire body and boost self-esteem and confidence.
Health Benefits
While thigh lifts are most often performed for purely aesthetic or cosmetic reasons, you may experience some benefits to your health as well. When combined with liposuction, a thigh lift may reduce total body fat percentage. A lower body fat total reduces risks for serious medical conditions, including high blood pressure and diabetes. It is important to follow a proper diet and exercise regimen after surgery to keep from regaining the weight.
Excess skin between the thighs can make some physical activities, such as jogging or cycling, uncomfortable. You may find that after surgery, you will be able to enjoy these activities more than you could in the past. While the surgery cannot make you physically fit, it may open doors for you to add new activities to your exercise routine. Regular exercise helps you maintain a stable weight, and variety in your routine is important for increasing your overall fitness.
If you are a smoker, a thigh lift surgery may actually help you quit. Smoking has been shown in studies to prolong the time needed for healing from surgery, so your doctor will ask you to completely cease smoking three weeks prior to your surgery date and for six weeks after surgery. If you have had difficulty quitting in the past, this forced abstinence may help you end the habit. Your doctor can point you toward resources to help you quit smoking.
