After major bariatric surgery (weight-loss surgery), your body is likely to have many areas of excess drooping skin as your skin struggles to adjust to your new contours. In addition, bariatric surgery cannot remove all excess areas of fat due to a number of reasons.
Excess drooping skin is not limited to people who have undergone bariatric surgery. Loose skin can form in multiple areas in overweight people. People who have lost a lot of weight through diet and exercise are also liable to experience excess loose sagging skin. Aging and increased sun exposure can also contribute to sagging skin.
The thighs are one of the areas where a great amount of loose sagging skin may be present after dramatic weight loss. The skin had to stretch to accommodate excess weight. After major weight loss, it is often difficult for the skin to shrink back down again. Loose skin on the thighs typically appears wrinkled, contains excess fat and cellulite, seems to hang down from the muscles, and looks very undefined and in need of toning.
A thigh lift, or thighplasty surgery, is a body-contouring plastic surgery technique that is proven to achieve firmer and far more attractive upper legs.
Ideal Candidates for Thighplasty
A thighplasty is an excellent option for people who cannot lose the excess skin through normal diet and exercise. However, it is important to note that not everyone is eligible for thighplasty.
If you have maintained a stable weight, are generally healthy, possess realistic expectations about the outcome, and can commit to a rigorous routine of diet and exercise after surgery, you are most likely eligible. If you are not eligible, your surgeon will provide you with detailed instructions as to what you can do to become eligible.
The Thighplasty Procedure
Thighplasty surgery targets excess dimples and skin on the thighs. Typical options include the total thigh lift, the inner thigh lift, the vertical thigh lift, and the outer thigh lift.
Thighplasty is normally performed under general anesthesia and takes around two hours to complete. During a thighplasty, excess skin and fat is removed from the thighs through incisions while the remaining skin is tightened. Surgeons typically make incisions in the inner thigh area, the lower buttocks, or the inner groin. The type of incision made is dependent on the amount of fat needed to be removed.
After the skin has been removed, the incisions are sealed shut with deep sutures to ensure there is no future sagging.
The Recovery Period
Most patients require up to four to eight weeks to fully recover from the effects of thighplasty. You are likely to experience a certain degree of swelling, bruising, and discomfort, for which your surgeon will prescribe pain medication.
You may need to wear compression garments for a couple of weeks after surgery. You need to make sure that your incisions remain clean and that you do not overburden yourself during your recovery period. You will be unable to shower for the first two to three days, as your incisions will need to be kept dry to heal properly. You will be able to return to your normal routine within four to eight weeks.
Schedule a Consultation
For your thighplasty surgery, there’s no better option than Marietta Plastic Surgery. At Marietta, we pride ourselves on effective procedures and satisfied patients. To arrange a thighplasty consultation, contact our office and schedule an appointment.