Thigh Lift (Inner / Outer)

Click here to watch this procedure in 3D animation

If fitness and weight loss efforts have not achieved your goals for a body that is firmer, more youthful-looking and more proportionate to your overall body image, a thigh lift may be right for you.

This surgery reshapes the thighs by reducing excess skin, and in some cases fat, resulting in smoother skin and better-proportioned contours of the thighs and lower body.

Is a thigh lift right for me?

Candidates for thigh lift are:

People whose weight is relatively stable
Individuals with excess soft tissue along the inner or medial thigh region and/or the outer thigh
Individuals with a positive outlook and realistic goals for what thigh lift surgery can accomplish
Healthy individuals who do not have medical conditions that can impair healing or increase risk of surgery
Non-smokers
Individuals committed to leading a healthy lifestyle including proper nutrition and fitness

What it won't do: Thigh lifts are not intended strictly for the removal of excess fat. Liposuction alone can remove excess fat deposits where skin has good elasticity and is able to naturally conform to new body contours. In cases where skin elasticity is poor, a combination of liposuction and thigh lift techniques may be recommended.

Thigh Lift

What to expect during your consultation with Dr. Markmann

The success and safety of your thigh lift procedure depends very much on your complete candidness during your consultation. You'll be asked a number of questions about your health, desires and lifestyle.

Be prepared to discuss:

Why you want the surgery, your expectations and desired outcome
The options available in thigh lift surgery
Medical conditions, drug allergies and medical treatments
Use of current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco and drugs
Previous surgeries

Dr. Markmann may also:

Evaluate your general health status and any pre-existing health conditions or risk factors
Examine and measure your body, including detailed measurements
Discuss your options and recommend a course of treatment
Discuss likely outcomes of thigh lift surgery and any risks or potential complications

Prior to surgery, you may be asked to:

Get lab testing or a medical evaluation
Take certain medications or adjust your current medications
Take photographs for your medical record
Stop smoking well in advance of surgery
Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding

Special instructions you receive will cover:

What to do on the day of surgery
The use of anesthesia during your thigh lift
Post-operative care and follow-up

Dr. Markmann will also discuss where your procedure will be performed. Thigh lift surgery may be performed in an accredited office-based surgical center, outpatient of ambulatory surgical center, or a hospital.

If your thigh lift procedure is performed on an outpatient basis, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you to and from surgery and to stay with you for at least the first night following surgery.

The thigh lift surgery

Step 1 - Anesthesia

Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedures. The choices include intravenous sedation and general anesthesia. Dr. Markmann will recommend the best choice for you.

Step 2 - The incision

Incision patterns vary based on the area or areas to be treated, degree of correction and patient and surgeon preference.

One common technique used for a thigh lift places incisions in the groin, extending downward wrapping around the back of the thigh. The underlying tissue matrix will be reshaped and tightened, and skin will be reduced and redraped resulting in more proportionate and smoother body contours.

You may qualify for a minimal incision medial thigh lift which involves an incision only in the groin area. Dr. Markmann will determine what's appropriate.

Medial Thigh Lift

Improving the contours of the outer thigh may require an incision extending from the groin around the hip.

Through these incisions Dr. Markmann will tighten tissues for a smoother, better-toned lower body contour.

Advanced techniques usually allow incisions to be placed in strategic locations where they can be hidden by most types of clothing and swimsuits. However, incisions may be extensive.

Outer Thigh Lift

Step 3 - Closing the incisions

Deep support sutures within underlying tissues help to form the newly shaped contours. Sutures close the skin incisions.

Step 4 - See the results

The smoother tighter contouring that result from a thigh lift are apparent almost immediately, although initially obscured by some swelling and bruising.

Following a thigh lift, skin quality is dramatically improved both in appearance and feel.

You may be required to wear a compression garment for several weeks following your procedure to minimize swelling and support the tissues as they heal.

The safety and risks of thigh lift surgery

The decision to have thigh lift surgery is extremely personal and you'll have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks and potential complications are acceptable.

Dr. Markmann and his staff will explain in detail the risks associated with surgery. You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure you will undergo and any risks and potential complications.

Possible risks of thigh lift surgery include:

Unfavorable scarring
Bleeding (hematoma)
Infection
Asymmetry
Fluid accumulation
Poor wound healing
Skin loss
Blood clots
Numbness or other changes in skin sensation
Anesthesia risks
Fatty tissue found deep in the skin might die (fat necrosis)
Skin discoloration and/or swelling
Major wound separation
Pain, which may persist
Unsatisfactory results such as highly visible surgical scar location, unacceptable visible deformities, bunching and rippling in the skin near the suture lines or at the ends of the incisions
Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications
Recurrent looseness of skin
Sutures may spontaneously surface through the skin, become visible or produce irritation that require removal
Possibility of additional surgery to do revisions

After surgery at home

If you experience shortness of breath, chest pains, or unusual heart beats, seek medical attention immediately. Should any of these complications occur, you may require hospitalization and additional treatment.

The practice of medicine and surgery is not an exact science. Although good results are expected, there is no guarantee. In some situations, it may not be possible to achieve optimal results with a single surgical procedure and another surgery may be necessary.

Be careful

Following Dr. Markmann's instructions is a key component to the success of your surgery. It is important that the surgical incisions are not subjected to excessive force, swelling, abrasion, or motion during the time of healing. Dr. Markmann will give you specific instructions on how to care for yourself.

Be sure to ask questions: It's very important to ask Dr. Markmann questions about your thigh lift procedure. It's natural to feel some anxiety, whether it's excitement for your anticipated new look or a bit of preoperative stress. Don't be shy about discussing these feelings with Dr. Markmann.

Your recovery
When your procedure is completed, dressing or bandages may be applied to your incisions, and you may be wrapped in an elastic bandage or a compression garment to minimize swelling and to support your new contours as you heal.

One or more small, thin tubes may be temporarily placed under the skin to drain excess fluid or blood that may collect.

You will be given specific instructions that may include: How to care for the surgical site(s) following surgery, medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the risk of infection, specific concerns to look for at the surgical site or in your general health, and when to follow-up with Dr. Markmann.

Be sure to ask Dr. Markmann specific questions about what you can expect during your individual recovery period.

Where will I be taken after my surgery is complete?
What medication will I be given or prescribed after surgery?
Will I have dressings/bandages after surgery? When will they be removed?
Are stitches removed? When?
When can I resume normal activity and exercise?
When do I return for follow-up care?

The results

The results of a thigh lift are visible almost immediately. However, it may take several months for the final results to fully develop.

Some visible scars will remain, but the overall results are long lasting, provided that you maintain a stable weight and general fitness.

As your body ages, it is natural to lose some firmness. However, most of your initial improvement should be relatively permanent.

Thigh lift surgery cost?

Cost is always a consideration in elective surgery. Prices for thigh lifts can vary widely. A surgeon's cost for thigh lift surgery may vary based on his or her experience as well as geographic office location.

Dr. Daniel Markmann does offer patient financing plans, so be sure to ask if this is something you may need.

Your surgery quote will include:

Surgeon's fee
Hospital or surgical facility costs
Anesthesia fees
Post-surgery garments

Additional Fees:

Prescriptions for medication
Medical tests

Your satisfaction involves more than a fee

When choosing a plastic surgeon for a thigh lift, remember that the surgeon's experience and your comfort with him or her are just as important as the final cost of the surgery. Most health insurance does not cover cosmetic surgery or its complications.