Summer is coming, which means shorts, dresses, skirts, and swimsuits. But you don’t have to worry about how your legs look; a simple thigh lift will help your legs look more toned so you can show them off with confidence.
How a Thigh Lift Works
Since your thighs are part of your lower body, they are most likely to demonstrate the effects of gravity on the body as a whole. When you gain weight, your body starts storing extra fat cells under your skin to use as a future energy source. If those fat cells stick around for a long enough period of time, they begin to pull down towards your hips, butt, and thighs, causing those areas to become larger. As the lowest area, your thighs take the brunt of gravity’s pull.
A thigh lift helps by surgically removing the extra fat and any extra skin tissue to make your legs smoother and tighter. The results are legs that are more contoured and aesthetically fit.
The Thigh Lift Procedure
Thigh lifts are most often performed on the inner thighs to make it easier to conceal the scars from the surgery. However they can be performed on the outer thighs if necessary. The procedure is done on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia, so you’ll be able to return home the same day.
Unlike other surgeries, the incisions for a thigh lift can vary in location depending on the patient’s body and their desired results. Generally speaking, the incisions for a thigh lift begin in the groin where the tops of your legs connect to your pubis bone. For an inner thigh lift, the incisions continue down the inner thigh towards your knee. On an outer thigh lift, the incisions move outward towards your hips. Some patients only require a minimal thigh lift with an incision located only in the groin.
Once the incisions are made, the surgeon can access the soft tissue to remove those stubborn fat pockets before trimming away any extra skin. After all the unnecessary fat and soft tissue is removed, the incisions are closed with sutures. Sutures are sometimes also needed inside the remaining soft tissue to hold it together while it heals.
Thigh Lift Results
You’ll be able to see the results of your thigh lift procedure almost immediately upon waking up from the anesthesia. Your newly contoured legs will be even more obvious after your recovery. Your legs will experience swelling and bruising for several weeks, though the worst of it will disappear within the first two. Your doctor will recommend that you have someone to help you get around during this time because your legs will have difficulty supporting any kind of activity during the initial healing process. It is also recommended that you wear a compression garment on your legs to provide support while they heal. Patients are usually able to resume their normal routines after about four weeks.
Scheduling a Thigh Lift Consultation
Dr. Christopher Davidson offers a wide variety of body lift procedures, including a thigh lift, at his practice in Wellesley, MA. To schedule a consultation, call (781) 237-7700 or send an email through his Contact page.