Thigh Lift (Thigh Plasty)

Background

With advancing age, our skin loses its elasticity and accumulates fat in unwanted places. The fat feels noticeable as it rubs together, and looks noticeable as it moves while walking. A thigh lift (thigh plasty) procedure is able to correct this problem by excising the excess fat and redundant skin.

Dr. Sayah has a thorough approach to giving you a beautiful and youthful figure. Each factor leading to the appearance of your thighs is addressed in detail to assure optimal results. You will be started on a regimen including a healthy diet and lifestyle, exercise, excellent skin care, and massage in order to assure long lasting results from your surgery.

We have made arrangements at the Sportsclub for reduced fees for our patients and strongly encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity if you are not a member of a health club. You will benefit from increasing your body's metabolic rate while you prepare for surgery. To improve scarring, you will also be started on a skin care regimen of excellent body creams. Each of these issues will be addressed in detail based on your particular needs.

To contour the fat in your thighs, Dr. Sayah may recommend liposculpture . Using a fine cannula (a hollow tube) the excess fat is carefully sculpted to produce your optimal figure. The excess skin on your thigh is then excised as necessary.

Procedure

A thigh lift (thigh plasty) can either be done alone, in conjunction with a liposculpture procedure, a tummy-tuck (abdominoplasty), or with other procedures you might desire. At your consultation, Dr. Sayah will help you decide which option is best for you. Before the procedure, Dr. Sayah will examine you and plan the operation. Markings will be made of your excess fat, skin, areas of concern, and skin irregularities.

The surgery is best done with a light general anesthesia, with long-acting local anesthetics added to minimize postoperative pain. After you are asleep, the surgery begins with the injection of a long-acting local anesthetic to keep you comfortable long after the procedure is over. If excess fat is present, your thighs are sculpted by liposuction ( liposculpture ).

The excess skin is next excised with a particular technique such that the final scars will be hidden in the groin crease. The most important aspect of this surgery is the final closure. The key technique in this procedure is to secure the skin to the tough fascia covering your muscles at the groin in order to prevent the scars from migrating down your leg over time. Dr. Sayah then closes the surgical wounds in multiple layers to maintain the scars as a fine line after they are healed. You will have a plastic drain in each thigh to collect any fluid that normally accumulates during the healing process. The drains do not cause any pain, and are removed a few days after surgery.

After the Procedure

On the day of surgery, you will be perfectly comfortable and pain free due to the long-acting local anesthetics used by Dr. Sayah. You may drink clear liquids, but avoid solid food as it may induce nausea. Take your medications as prescribed. The post-surgical compression garment should remain on you for the next 6 to 8 weeks.

The first day after surgery will be the most difficult. You may resume a regular diet on this day. Dr. Sayah encourages you to walk around the house with assistance today. Do not spend prolonged periods of time in bed as it may decrease blood circulation in your legs leading to avoidable complications. Take your medications as prescribed. Dr. Sayah will provide you with a list of herbal medications to reduce swelling and bruising after surgery. The drains are removed a few days after surgery. Our office staff will be contacting you daily to assure your comfort, and that you are progressing well. You should anticipate limited activity for the first week after surgery. Dr. Sayah will instruct you on your specific activities as you progress through your recovery.