PLASTIC SURGERY PROCEDURE: Thighplasty (Making the Thighs Thinner and Tighter)

A thighplasty is intended to lift and recontour thigh skin that is unattractively saggy and dimpled. Many candidates for thighplasty have excess skin as a result of weight loss, or simply because of the natural effects of aging. Thighplasty removes excess fat and skin from the inner and outer thighs to create a tighter, firmer, more toned thigh appearance.

Excess fat alone is not an indication for a thigh lift, but when laxity is accompanied by excess fat, liposuction, is used for the fatty component of the problem. You can judge if you are a candidate for a thighplasty by holding the skin of your lateral thigh firmly, pulling up, and seeing how you look on direct examination and in a mirror. If you see a significant change that is pleasing to you, you may be a candidate for thighplasty.

Thighplasty is frequently combined with abdominoplasty, sometimes done at the same time, but more often as separate procedures. Thighplasty, like abdominoplasty, is an excisional procedure. Skin is removed and the skin flaps are sutured together under significant tension. Recovery takes into account the need to relieve tension on the wound by keeping the thighs bent and the knees about shoulder length apart during the initial healing period of one week. Recovery for social activities and work is about three weeks, with gradual decrease of swelling and bruising in that time.

Recovery from a medial thigh lift is much quicker. Most patients are up and about in two days, and discomfort is minimal. Care must be taken not to part the legs more than about shoulder width for one month to minimize tension on the incisions in the groin crease. Sutures are removed in about seven to ten days. Drains are used for at least one week to remove fluid that will accumulate under the skin.

A personal consultation is the first step for every patient considering thighplasty. During this meeting, Dr. Almonte will assess your physical and emotional health and discuss your specific cosmetic goals for the surgery.

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EL DORADO HILLS PLASTIC SURGERY CENTER
Dr. Arnold Almonte, D.O.

(916) 941-1556

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