call us:   470-440-1777

5445 MERIDIAN MARK ROAD, SUITE 395, ATLANTA, GA 30342

THIGH LIFT

 

With age or weight loss, the skin of the inner thigh undergoes significant changes.  The tissues lose their elasticity and the skin begins to loosen, stretch, and sag.  This can make patients self-conscious of their appearance, and make it frustrating to wear shorts, bathing suits, or tight pants.  It can also cause medical issues such as skin irritation, rashes, or infections, and make living a healthy lifestyle more difficult, by limiting a patient’s ability to exercise.

 

A medial thigh lift corrects these changes by narrowing the size of the thigh, removing excess skin, and lifting the remaining tissues; thereby, improving the upper leg’s shape by restoring a harmonious, youthful appearance that gives patients an added boost of confidence.

 

 

 

 

  • SURGERY CONSIDERATIONS

     

    Incision Placement

    The severity of skin and fat excess of the upper leg will determine the placement and extent of incisions.  Patients who do not require any skin excision can be treated with liposuction alone, with small, inconspicuous incisions in the upper leg.  Patients who have mild to moderate skin excess will have incisions that are well hidden in the groin crease.  Patients with severe skin excess, most commonly “massive weight loss” patients, may require incisions from their groin, down the inner part of their thigh, to their knee.  The larger the thigh lift needed, the longer the incision necessary to improve the upper leg appearance.

     

    Liposuction-only Thigh Lift

    Patients that have developed excess fat in their upper legs, but have maintained excellent skin quality and elasticity, are candidates for a liposuction-only thigh lift.  These patients will not require any skin removal, and will avoid any incisions larger than those created during liposuction.

     

    Skin Resection Thigh Lift

    Most patients seeking a thigh lift will require some degree of skin resection to reach their desired aesthetic goals.  These patients are treated initially with liposuction to remove excess fat from their inner thigh, before reducing the circumference of the upper leg with removal of any skin excess.  Incisions may be limited to the patient’s groin, but larger thigh lifts may require incisions down to the level of the knee.

     

     

  • SURGICAL TECHNIQUES

     

    Liposuction-only Thigh Lift

    Liposuction requires creating small (0.5-1.0 cm) incisions in the skin, camouflaged in body creases or inconspicuous areas of the upper leg.  Fluid containing medications aimed to provide pain-relief and limit blood loss is then infused into the arm, before special instruments are used to suction out excess fat.  Careful attention to detail during the suction phase of the procedure ensures enough fat is removed to narrow the upper leg, while leaving enough fat behind to create a pleasing contour.  Once liposuction is complete, surgical tape and gauze are placed over the incisions, and a compression garment applied to help with skin retraction, and help reduce leg swelling.

     

    Skin Resection THIGH Lift

    These cases start by duplicating the liposuction-only thigh lift.  After liposuction removes the excess fat from the inner thigh, the amount of skin needing to be excised is patterned on whether the skin excess is running down, or around, the leg.  Incisions are then created, and the excess skin and fat elevated from the underlying muscles.  The excess skin is removed, and the remaining skin redraped over a drain, and sutured closed in multiple layers.  Sterile gauze and a compressive garment are then applied to help with skin retraction and help reduce leg swelling.

     

     

     

     

  • RECOVERY

     

    When performed alone, a thigh lift is an outpatient procedure. We encourage walking every day, including the day of surgery, as a precautionary maneuver to improve circulation and avoid the development of blood clots.

    Any drains placed during surgery will require a logbook to record how much fluid comes out of the drains in a 24-hour period.  These measurements are important, as they will determine when the drains can be removed.

     

    The compression garments are maintained for several weeks after surgery, during which time strenuous activities and workouts are limited.  Most patients can return to their exercise regimen 6 weeks after surgery.

    Full recovery will take weeks to months, depending on the type of thigh lift performed.  A return to work is dictated by how well patients feel, and the typical duties required of their job.

     

     

     

  • RISKS

     

    We believe in being preemptive to avoid any risks associated with surgery, but occasionally the following may occur:

     

    Bleeding/Hematoma – A small amount of bleeding is common after surgery, but if severe enough, another operation may be required to stop it.  Bleeding can also form a collection, termed a hematoma, which presents as a swollen, painful, bruised, and tense thigh.  These require drainage to prevent secondary problems.

     

    Seroma – A fluid collection may form under the skin after a thigh lift and may require drainage. This can typically be performed in the office.

     

    Infection – A thigh lift carries a risk of infection, but if one occurs, it may require oral, or intravenous, antibiotics.

     

    Poor Cosmesis: This may include poor wound healing with a widened scar, irregularity of the scar contour, or partial wound separation.  These may all lead to suboptimal results, and the possibility of additional surgery to correct. There are risks factors that may increase your risks of these complications that can be optimized before surgery.

     

    Blood Clots:  A thigh lift can result in the development of blood clots in the legs.  These clots can travel to the lungs where they can be fatal.  Precautions before, and after, surgery are taken to avoid blood clots from forming.

     

    Skin Laxity: As much skin is removed during surgery as safely possible. Once the swelling from surgery has resolved, there may be some skin laxity present.

     

    Sensory Changes: Patients may have altered sensation to their thigh and lower leg after surgery.  Typically the result of nerve swelling and irritation, it can cause numbness, tingling, or a burning feeling.  In most cases this is temporary, with spontaneous improvement over several days to weeks.  In rare cases, a more permanent numbness can occur.

     

     

Little is more frustrating than being uncomfortable with one’s own body.  Even with a proper diet and exercise routine, there can be certain areas that just will not disappear.  Instead of becoming frustrated, schedule a consultation with Dr. Castillo to learn about your options.  No matter what aesthetic body contouring procedure you are interested in, talking with Dr. Castillo may be the best way to get started on a healthier, happier life.

 

 

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FAQS

 

Will a thigh lift make my outer hip look better?

A thigh lift improves the upper leg by narrowing its size, removing excess skin and fat, and lifting sagging skin of the inner thigh.  Though liposuction can be done at the same time as a thigh lift to help improve the contour of the outer hip, surgeries such as a lower body lift better address this area.

 

Can a thigh lift be combined with other procedures?

Yes, a medial thigh lift can be safely performed with other cosmetic procedures. Liposuction is the most commonly added, but tummy tucks, arm lifts, and breast enhancement surgery are particularly common in patients who have undergone massive weight loss and have multiple areas that need to be addressed.

 

 

 

 

GENERAL PROCEDURES

›  Cosmetic/Aesthetic Procedures

›  Breast Augmentation

›  Breast Lift

›  Breast Reduction

›  Breast Asymmetry

›  Breast Reconstruction

›  Liposuction

›  Tummy Tuck / Abdominoplasty

›  Arm Lift

›  Thigh Lift

›  Labiaplasty

›  Buttock Augmentation

›  Post Bariatric Surgery Body Contouring

›  Lower Body Lift

›  Facial Rejuvenation

›  Brow Lift

›  Eyelid Surgery

›  Ear Surgery

›  Rhinoplasty

›  Lifting Agents

›  Face lift

›  Neck Lift

›  Wrinkle Removers

›  Injectable Fillers

›  Medical Reconstructive Surgeries

›  Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery

PROCEDURES FOR MEN

›  Cosmetic / Aesthetic Procedures

›  Wrinkle Removers

›  Injectable Fillers

›  Lifting Agents

›  Liposculpting

›  Tummy Tuck / Abdominoplasty

›  Arm Lift

›  Thigh Lift

›  Male Breast Surgery

›  Male Pec Implants

›  Brow Lift

›  Eyelid Surgery

›  Ear Surgery

›  Facelift

›  Necklift

›  Jaw Augmentation

›  Medical Reconstructive Surgeries

›  Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery

CLIENT CITIES

›  ATLANTA, GA

›  ALPHARETTA, GA

›  MIAMI, FL

›  BOCA RATON, FL

›  ORLANDO, FL

›  PALM BEACH, FL

›  NEW YORK CITY, NY

›  GREENWICH, CT

›  WESTPORT, CT

›  BEVERLY HILLS, CA

›  BOSTON, MA

›  CAMBRIDGE, MA

›  LOS ANGELES, CA

›  SAN FRANCISCO, CA

›  WASHINGTON, DC

›  DALLAS, TX

›  HOUSTON, TX

5445 MERIDIAN MARK ROAD, SUITE 395, ATLANTA, GA 30342

CALL US:  470-440-1777

 

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ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.