Thigh Lift Procedure

It is a simple and common procedure. The patient should first find out a good surgeon and a hospital in the area of his choice. The surgeon, when approached, will make a physical check up and note the medical history of the patient. He will then discus the procedure with him. The thigh lift procedure consists of making incisions in the groin joint between the torso and the thighs, lifting the skin, tightening the muscles, removing the fat and then suturing back the incision. The doctor will then suggest a suitable date after checking the patient’s medical history. If the patient is a smoker or a drinker, they will be advised to stop it for the duration of the surgery and a few days after that. If he has problems like high blood pressure or diabetes, he will be put on medications to control them.

Once the day and date are fixed, the doctor will also put the patient on antibiotics in preparation for the surgery. The procedure takes about four to six hours and then hospitalization is recommenced till the effects of anesthesia wear off.

On the day of the operation, the doctor will again check him physically, make markings on the patients thigh where the plastic surgery has to take place and then he will be given anesthesia. Generally this surgery is performed under full anesthesia and is an in patient operation. An incision will be made in the groin crease between the body and the thigh. The skin will be gently lifted and fat drained off through liposuction. Nerves will be tightened and excess skin removed. A draining tube will be put in the incision, which will then be sutured. As liposuction involves a lot of liquids, fluid collection at the spot of the surgery is expected. A proper bandage will be applied and the patient will be wheeled into his recovery room.

There may be swelling, redness, pain and irritability of the skin, which are all controlled by medicines. The patient will be told to have bed rest for a few hours and not to exert himself. He is encouraged to walk within forty-eight hours but it is inadvisable to climb stairs or squat during this period. After three to five days the swelling, fluid retention, pain, redness will all go away and the patient can report to work. He should abstain from heavy physical activities for a couple of weeks.

Within six to eight weeks he will be back to normal, barring any setbacks.