Thighplasty

Thighplasty (thigh lift) is performed to tighten the skin of the thighs, with the goal being to produce slim, contoured thighs that look proportionate to the rest of the body.

Thighplasty may be performed alone, or in combination with other cosmetic procedures, such as liposuction, that slim the lower body. Candidates for thighplasty are in good general health, but have excess skin and/or tissue on their thighs as a result of aging, pregnancy or significant weight loss.

Thighplasty is not considered a procedure for losing weight; it is performed only on those who are close to their ideal weights but unhappy with the appearance of their thighs. Other options would include Liposuction, skin excision or a combination of the two.

The Thighplasty Procedure

Thighplasty can be tailored to the specific patient need. Simple liposuction can improve many thighs but excess skin means a necessary incision. Massive weight loss patients with severe skin laxity will need long incisions perhaps all the way down to the knee. Smaller areas of skin excess can have shorter incisions sometimes hidden by bathing suits.

Most thighplasties can be performed as an outpatient without the need for a hospital stay. The procedures are often combined with tummy tucks and body lifts. In all cases, skin and/or fat is removed; underlying tissue is reshaped and tightened with support sutures; and the remaining skin is lifted and smoothed, and sutured into place at the incision site. Drains may be placed to keep fluid from building up; if so, they are removed after a few days. Surgery typically takes 2 to 3 hours. Post-surgery, a compression garment is worn to minimize swelling and promote healing.

Recovery from Thighplasty

Bruising, swelling and soreness are common after thighplasty; pain medication and anti-inflammatories are typically prescribed. Bruising and swelling are usually gone within a month. Patients can return to work within 7 to 10 days, and resuming most physical activity is permissible at 4 to 6 weeks.

Risks of Thighplasty

In addition to the risks associated with surgery and anesthesia, those related to thighplasty include the following:

Asymmetry

Fat necrosis

Skin loss or discoloration

Numbness

Loose skin

Unattractive scarring

Revision surgery may be necessary to correct these types of problems.

Results of Thighplasty

The smoother, tighter contours provided by thighplasty are apparent almost immediately, although in many cases they are significantly obscured by swelling. Thighplasty’s results are long-lasting, as long as patients do not gain significant amounts of weight.

Procedures

Abdominoplasty

Blepharoplasty Eyelid Surgery

BOTOX ® Cosmetic

Brachioplasty

Breast Augmentation

Breast Augmentation with Breast Lift

Breast Reconstruction

Breast Reduction

Cheek Implants

Chemical Peels

Chin Augmentation

CO 2 Laser Skin Resurfacing

Dermabrasion

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Address

2000 Washington Street
Newton, MA 02462

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Phone

(617) 244-0990