thigh lift abroad
A Thigh Lift (thighplasty) procedure is intended to lift and reshape thigh skin that is unattractively saggy and dimpled. It is also intended to decrease irregularities in skin surface. Many candidates for a thighplasty procedure have excess skin as a result of weight loss, or simply because of the natural effects of aging. A thighplasty procedure removes excess fat and skin from the inner and outer thighs to create a tighter, firmer, more toned thigh appearance.
Although small amounts of fat may be removed with this procedure, along with excess skin, it is not meant to remove significant fat deposits. You should be stable at or near your ideal weight before considering a Thigh Lift.
Thigh Lift surgery will be performed by our bariatric & cosmetic surgeon Dr. Rein Adamson.
Are you a candidate for thigh lift?
If you have had phlebitis (inflamed blood vessels) in either of your legs, you may not be a candidate for lift surgery. Most lifts require fairly lengthy incisions and scarring is visible, and each patient should be prepared for this. As with all elective surgery, good health and realistic expectations are prerequisites, but if you want to change the shape of your thighs, then a lift surgery may be appropriate, but:
• Make sure you are not prone to scarring problems such as keloids.
• Make sure you have a good understanding of the healing process and the limitations of the procedure.
What happens during the procedure?
Lift surgery can be performed under local anesthesia, along with intravenous sedation, or general anesthesia depending on your health, the extent of the procedure and whether you are having other procedures at the same time. It takes 2-3 hours, but depending on the extent of the procedure, it can take longer.
There are mainly two different ways to perform thighplasty surgery, depending on the areas of concern:
Inner (or medial) thigh lift - The inside of the thighs are very difficult to shape through exercise. An inner thigh lift procedure involves an incision along the junction between the thigh and pubic area and removal of loose skin, and if necessary fat.
Outer (or lateral) thigh lift - This procedure tightens the skin on the front and outside of the thigh.
The patient is placed in a compression garment (similar to a longline elastic support girdle) at the end of surgery to reduce swelling and assist in the natural shrinking and tightening of the skin. With Thigh Lift, one to three nights care in a hospital are usually required. This allows for pain injections, intravenous catheters, etc.
How to prepare for this procedure?
Your doctor will give you specific instructions to prepare for surgery but here are some general guidelines:
• Avoid aspirin, any aspirin containing medication or any other non-steroidal anti-inflammatories for two weeks prior to treatment. Because aspirin thins the blood, it can interfere with normal blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding and bruising.
• Smoking inhibits the healing process, so stop smoking before your procedure and if you start again, make sure it is after you are completely healed.
• Avoid drinking alcohol a few days before your surgery.
• Make sure to follow any fasting instructions the night before and morning of your surgery. Your doctor may insist on an empty stomach depending on the type of anesthesia.
Risks
As with all surgeries, there is always a possibility of complications. Be sure to ask your surgeon about all of the risks associated with the procedure your considering before you make any decision.
Here is a list of associated risks and conditions that might occur:
All patients will feel sore for several days after the operation, pain killers may be prescribed for this period. Pain thresholds vary from patient to patient.
Patients must anticipate a noticeable, and often severe bruising that may persist for a number of weeks. This is entirely normal and will settle down naturally. The results of the operation may be obscured by the swelling for some time. The process of healing cannot be hurried and the surgeon will not normally consider further surgery until it is complete.
Occasionally, after surgery, bleeding may occur in and around the area of surgery. This is normal and will usually pass quickly and uneventfully. However it may be necessary to drain this by performing an additional procedure.
Occasionally a localised swelling of fluid called a Seroma can occur. This is comparatively rare and may require a minor drainage procedure and medication.
It is important to recognise that a surgical incision contributes to a risk of the introduction of bacteria from the patient’s own skin. Such infection may be associated with tiredness, weakness, fever and general poor health. Should you experience an infection, appropriate care and advice will be given.
It is fairly common for patients to experience numbness, increased sensitivity or some “strange sensation”. Changes in sensitivity are common and almost always pass in time. However, it is not uncommon for a small area to remain numb.
Your surgeon will describe the location and nature of any potential scarring, depending upon the nature of your surgery. Any surgery runs the risk of scarring which can sometimes be noticeable, particularly following complications such as infection. Such scars usually improve with time and if still unsightly, can be treated. Keloid scars and Hypertrophic scars are raised, sometimes uncomfortable scars, which follow surgery. They are rare and if you are susceptible to this type of scarring, you may already have experienced this complication following surgery or trauma to your skin. Please inform your surgeon of any undesirable scarring you have already experienced so that he/she can advise you accordingly.
Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism - this is a rare but serious complication of surgery and anaesthesia, in which a blood clot forms in the veins (usually in the legs) and moves to the lungs where it interferes with their normal function. Medical and nursing staff takes active measures to reduce the chance of this happening. You may be asked to wear special stockings during your admission and will be actively encouraged to mobilise early following surgery. You can further reduce the risks after discharge by avoiding dehydration and remaining mobile. If you experience sudden chest pain or breathlessness, you should seek medical help without delay.
After the surgery
The patient should plan on taking at least 3 weeks off work. You will feel tired and sore for 3 to 7 days after surgery. A compression garment is worn continuously for 2 to 3 weeks, and then at night for a further 2 to 3 weeks. This will help define the new contour of your thighs.
Activities that increase your heart rate above 100 beats per minute for 3 weeks are not recommended.
Although most bruising and swelling will disappear within 3 weeks, some swelling may remain for 6 months and up to a year. The extent of the post-operative swelling and bruising is dependent on whether you tend to bruise or swell easily. The amount you can expect varies for each individual but past surgeries or injuries should be a good indication. Keep your head elevated, above the level of your heart, when lying down. Applying cold compresses, or ice packs will reduce swelling and relieve discomfort. Many patients use a water-tight plastic sandwich bag filled with frozen berries or peas. Regular icing is the key to relieving the swelling.
For the first week following surgery, you will be allowed light activity but you must avoid bending or lifting. Although you may not feel like it, you should try to walk as soon as possible after a Thigh Lift to reduce swelling and prevent blood clots from forming in your legs. While each case is individual, Thigh Lift recovery generally takes one to two weeks; you can usually return to work in a couple of weeks, and resume vigorous exercise or contact sports in approximately four to six weeks. Recovering individual and varies from person to person.
Results
The result of a thighplasty procedure is beautiful, tightened, lifted and flattened contour to the thighs. A more confident and comfortable feeling in clothing, especially sports wear and jeans. If there is continued sagging or weight loss, then a second touch up procedure can help. A natural and presentable appearance in the first week that just gets better over the next three to six months.
