What are thigh lifts?

A thigh lift is a procedure designed to remove excess skin from the medial thigh area. There are two general scar patterns, one which passes just along the growing crease, along the medial thigh. And the other type which courses along the growing crease and then leaves you with a longer scar, which travels down the thigh itself.

How is thigh lift surgery done?

Thigh lift surgery is generally performed under a general anaesthetic as a day case or as an inpatient at the hospital. The precise scar pattern that's required will depend upon the distribution of fat along your thighs, and also your own personal goals and compromise that you may be happy to make with regards to scar pattern. So, some of the techniques which place a scar along the inner surface of the thigh are more powerful but obviously leave a scar, which is more noticeable.

You would normally have dissolving stitches, you may require a drain overnight and you would normally need to wear some compression shorts for the first six weeks following the procedure to try and obtain the best results.

Is thigh lift surgery painful?

So, thigh lift surgery is normally not too painful. It tends to be performed with you asleep and, before you wake up, I inject the area with lots of local anaesthetic. Because it involves the skin only, and no deeper structures, the pain tends to be quite well controlled with simple painkillers such as paracetamol.

Does a thigh lift get rid of cellulite?

Thigh lift surgery can improve the appearance of cellulite, in that it will remove some of the cellulite from the thighs, but it will not smooth the appearance of the thighs overall. And sadly, there remains a lack of particularly good treatments for cellulite.

Can I walk after a thigh lift?

You can definitely walk following thigh lift surgery. For the first week or so, I'd normally advise that you take things fairly easily. And I would rather that you don't stretch the scars too much, as this can increase the chance of wound healing problems or a stretched scar itself.

But from the day after the procedure, really, you can go for gentle walks. And this will also help to prevent complications, such as blood clots in the legs. You would normally return to normal function somewhere between six and 12 weeks following a thigh lift procedure.

How should I sit after a thigh lift?

Immediately following a thigh lift, you'll have lots of local anaesthetic on board and any position would be comfortable. But I would really urge people to avoid any positions which involve crossing the legs, particularly. You're better just to sit on the bottom, directly on a chair.

What should I wear after a thigh lift?

Immediately following a thigh lift, the wounds will be closed with dissolving stitches, glue, and a special tape dressing. We then tend to wrap the thighs in a semi compressive bandage which will work for the first few days following the operation.

Beyond that, our Plastic Surgery nurse will be able to advise you on compression garments to wear. But really, you should be trying to wear cycle short type garments, which involve the full length of the thigh, as the pressure will encourage the scars to settle more swiftly.

Our experienced Consultants will evaluate your individual needs during a thorough consultation. They'll discuss your goals, assess your current condition, and recommend the best approach for your unique situation. Thigh lift surgery is typically ideal if you: 

• Have excess skin or sagging in the thigh area
• Are in good overall health
• Maintain a stable weight (or have stabilised your weight following weight loss surgery)
• Are a non-smoker, as smoking can hinder the healing process

The thigh lift surgery at our hospital is tailored to your specific needs. Typically, it involves the following steps: 

Anaesthesia 

You'll be under a general anaesthetic so you will be asleep for your comfort during the procedure.

Incisions: There are a few different types of thigh lift incisions depending on the areas that need treating. These vary from an incision in the groin to a ‘T’ shape incision which goes around the front and back of the groin/upper thigh and down the inside of the thigh which can extend down to the knee. These incisions may vary in length depending on the extent of the lift.

Skin, fat and tissue removal

Excess skin, fat and tissue are removed, and the remaining skin is tightened to create a more youthful and firm appearance.

Closing incisions

The incisions are meticulously closed with sutures to minimise scarring.

Recovery from thigh lift surgery varies from person to person. While you may experience some discomfort and swelling, our team will provide you with detailed post-operative instructions to ensure a smooth recovery process. We recommend that you: 

• Rest and elevate your legs
• Avoid strenuous activities
• Wear compression garments as advised

Attend your follow-up appointments with your Cosmetic nurse and then later, your Consultant.

You may experience some discomfort during the initial recovery period, but this is typically manageable with standard pain medication.

The duration of the surgery can vary, but it typically takes two to three hours.

While there will be some scarring, our Consultants take great care to place incisions discreetly and provide guidance on minimising the appearance of scars.

Most patients can return to work and light activities within two to four weeks, depending on individual healing.

Like all surgical procedures, there are potential risks. Our experienced Consultants will discuss these risks during your consultation and take measures to minimise them.