Thigh lift or Thighplasty is an operation that reshapes the thigh and fit leg by removing excess fat and skin. Also known as leg lift.
The problem of sagging legs and thighs occurs due to factors such as insufficient fluid consumption, smoking, excessive inactivity, frequent weight gain and loss, ageing and loss of skin elasticity.
On the other hand, sagging in the leg can also cause the legs to rub against each other. This causes skin disorders such as diaper rash. Here, thigh aesthetics saves the person from sagging leg skin.
Who Is Not A Good Candidate For Thigh Lift?
Thigh lift surgery is not preferred for those with uncontrolled diabetes or similar chronic conditions. Because these problems increase the risks after surgery and delay wound healing.
In cardiovascular patients and pregnant women thigh lift surgery is not performed. Thigh lift operation is not performed in people with severe psychiatric disorders or body image disorders.
How Is Thigh Lift Aesthetics Performed?
The degree of sagging in the leg and thigh is determined. The thickness of the adipose tissue under the skin is evaluated. Accordingly, it is decided which surgical method will be applied.
If skin sagging is caused by weight gain or loss, liposuction may be needed first. Then the sagging skin is surgically removed.
After that, the legs are stretched and stitched together with stitches in the groin area. Even if a scar remains, it loses its clarity over time.
If the skin sagging has spread to the entire leg, if there is bagging from the groin area to the inner parts of the leg, thigh lift surgery is performed. The entire thigh lift procedure leaves a vertical scar on the side of the legs. These also disappear over time. If it does not go away, it can be eliminated with laser treatments.
This operation, which takes about 2-4 hours, is performed under general anesthesia. The patient stays in the hospital the night after the operation. The placed drains are removed the next day.
What Is Combined Thigh Lift Surgery?
Along with inner thigh aesthetics, it is possible to recover other sagging areas of the thigh and leg. In the combined operation, the butt tissue of the person is clarified and the back and hip skin is collected. The skin on the anterior and posterior surfaces of the thighs is stretched. It is mostly applied in combination with body lift in patients who have sagging problems due to excess weight.
What Are Thigh Lift Methods?
The operation is performed with different techniques in line with the needs of the patient. The location, size and type of the incision depend on the deformity seen in the patient. The main methods used are:
Mini Thigh Lift
It is a simple version of inner thigh lift surgery. A small incision is made at the junction of the leg with the groin. It does not leave many scars.
Upper Thigh Lift
It is applied by making an incision on the inner part of the thigh, where the groin meets the leg. Excess skin is removed, and fat that cannot be melted by diet and sports is removed by liposuction.
Inner Thigh Lift
It is applied to reduce excess skin and fat on the inner-upper thigh.
Inner thigh lift can be performed in some patients with a non-surgical method. This technique, which is applied to those who do not have sagging skin, is applied under the skin by giving radio frequency energy. It warms the tissues under the skin and tightens the legs to a certain extent. It is a temporary treatment and its effect lasts for 1-2 years at most.
Before Thigh Lift Surgery
Blood thinners and supplements should be stopped at least 1 week before the surgery. Alcohol and smoking should be stopped also. If there is an infection in the area where the procedure will be performed, surgery should not be performed.
After Thigh Lift Surgery
- You should wait 2 days to take a shower after the surgery.
- There are special corsets used for the leg area. It is recommended to wear them for 1 month after the surgery.
- Stitches under the skin do not need to be removed. In this process, you should pay attention to the hygiene of the stitched area.
- Nausea may occur after surgery. You should start your food intake with liquid foods. You need to reduce the salt. Because salt increases the risk of edema. After the thigh lift operation, you can return to your normal exercise routine after 1 month. Since you will move less in this process, you should pay extra attention to your food and drink and balance your calorie intake and expenditure. You should remember to drink plenty of fluids.
- For the first few days, you should always rest while lying down, and in the following days you should always try to keep your legs as high as possible.
- You should use cotton laundry for 1 week and wear compression socks.
- You should stay away from sports for 1 month.
- For the first few months, you should keep your legs out of sunlight. You should use sunscreen cream with 50 factors and above.
- You should avoid alcohol and smoking so that the healing process is not interrupted.
- In order to maintain the condition obtained after the recovery process, you should follow a healthy diet and workout program.
Thigh Lift Surgery Side Effects
The occurrence of edema (swelling) is considered normal. This situation can be solved with the help of a corset. The scar left by the surgery continues to appear red for 1 year. However, as time passes, it takes on the skin color and becomes indistinct. The creams to be applied also help to reduce this scar.
Fluid accumulation, bruising, numbness, discomfort and pain are also common complaints after thigh lift surgery. These will go away on their own in a few months.
