Treatments / Thigh lift (thigh correction)
Thigh lift / Thigh correction
As time goes by or following a significant weight loss, the skin of the thighs can lose its elasticity. This can lead to an excess of skin, often flabby, on the inner thighs. Sport can help to tone the thighs but will not prevent slackness of the skin. A thigh lift will help tighten the skin of the thighs. If the thighs are too big, the surgeon may proceed with some liposculpture.
What happens?
The surgeon removes the excess skin situated between the inner thighs. In addition, the skin is re-tightened in an aesthetic way and lifted upwards against the force of gravity. If necessary the plastic surgeon can suck out the excess fat.
Scar
The incision is made in the least visible place; this is to say the scar extends from the crease of the groin, between the pubis up to the seam of the buttocks and the inner thighs. The stitches are made under the skin. The skin itself is then glued. In the first few months, the scar will be red and hard but it will become smoother and soften in the year that follows. Your plastic surgeon will help accelerate the natural maturation process. In extreme cases the scar will be vertical on the interior of the thighs.
Anaesthetic
Thanks to a refinement in operation techniques and a constant progress in the anaesthetic field these last few years, the thigh lift is carried out under a local anaesthetic with a mild sedation. After the operation, you will feel fit and well. It is not necessary to envisage a night’s stay at the clinic.
Recovery
You are able to leave the clinic the same day as your operation. There will be no drains. This operation causes little pain. It is possible that you may feel some discomfort in the first 24 hours. You will receive classical pain killers such as ibuprofen and paracetamol.
In the first few weeks it will be difficult to sit down and to walk as the skin is very taut. The ankles can be temporarily swollen. Sometimes the appearance of bruises can be noticed.
You will be absent from work for about one week. A week after the surgery you change the bandage by your self. The plastic surgeon will evaluate the results two months after your surgery, based on photos taken before the surgery.
Care and safety
The plastic surgeon proceeds with these operations in conditions of optimal security, surrounded by a professional team.
Even though the thigh lift is generally done under local anaesthetic, you are constantly watched over under monitoring by the anaesthetist (automatic and repetitive measures of the blood pressure, constant measuring of the oxygen saturation, electrocardiogram). One or two highly qualified nurses will equally supervise. These surroundings will guarantee that you have faultless safety.
The local anaesthetic allows not only an operation without pain but also a minimal risk of blood loss and bruises.
If you are taking anti-coagulant drugs, please inform your plastic surgeon of this first (for ex. acetylsalicylic acid, aspirin, asaflow, cardioaspirine, dipiridamole, plavix, sintrom, marevan and others).
After the operation you are able to contact your plastic surgeon at all times on his personal mobile number, if you have the slightest question.
Risks and eventual complications
If you are in good health, you have nothing to worry about as there is no risk linked to this operation. Infections are very rare. The wound is situated near the seam of the buttocks and it can take longer to heal, as this is a delicate area. Moreover this area of the body is put under more pressure especially in the seated position.
Related treatments
arm lift
abdominal lift, tummy tuck
breast uplift
face lift
Contact
Surgery and consultations (after appointment)
A.Z. Jan Portaels
Gendarmeriestraat 65
B-1800 Vilvoorde
Belgium
T: +32 (0)2 257 59 74
A.Z. Lokeren
Lepelstraat 2
9160 Lokeren
Belgium
+32 (0)9 340 85 30
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