Thigh Lift (Thighplasty)

Just as arms can collect fat and develop loose skin, so can legs. For this reason, a thigh lift (sometimes called a “thighplasty”) is often used to return the legs to their youthful slimness and tightness. Frequently included as part of an extended tummy tuck or in the regimen of plastic surgery procedures suggested after weight loss, the thigh lift works according to principles similar to other skin-tightening procedures. An incision is made in the skin of the thigh, the excess is pulled tight and removed, and the remaining skin is sewn back together and allowed to heal.

The exact placement of the incisions and the amount of skin will depend on the needs of the individual client, and will in turn influence the amount of scar tissue that results from the thigh lift treatment. Dr. Goravanchi offers his years of experience working with Sugar Land and Houston area patients to help those who come to him make informed decisions about how extensive a surgery to seek.

We are committed to helping you achieve the best possible outcome in your thigh lift surgery.

Who is a Candidate?

If you have experienced a loss of skin elasticity of the thigh, hip, or buttock areas. If your skin area is saggy, flabby, and/or dimpled or orange peel like in appearance. If your thigh appearance improves dramatically when you lift the lax skin. If you are self-consciousness about your lower body appearance.

Intended Results

• Tighter, more attractive thigh and buttock skin.
• Improved contours.
• Decreased irregularities in skin surface.

Procedure Description

The procedure is performed under general anesthesia on an outpatient basis unless otherwise advised by the surgeon. The doctor will show you what procedures are available to solve your particular problem. Wide variations in the design of the incisions to meet clothing or personal desires are possible. Lifting the inner thighs requires only short incisions extending from the anterior part of the groin around to the buttock crease. Lateral or anterior thigh lifts can be performed as separate procedures if desired. Lifting the entire thigh and buttock (circumferential lower body lift) will require much longer incisions that start in the buttock crease, extend around the groin, up over the side of the abdomen, over the flank and across the back. The buttocks can be lifted with upper or lower scars.

The patient is placed in a compression garment (similar to a long-line elastic support girdle) at the end of surgery to reduce swelling and assist in the natural shrinking and tightening of the skin.

Smaller thigh lifts: Initial discomfort is usually easily controlled with prescription pain medication.

Larger thigh lifts: One or two nights care in a skilled nursing facility or hospital are usually required. This allows for pain injections, intravenous catheters, etc.

Bruising and swelling usually subside within a month, strenuous activities are usually possible in 6 weeks and almost all symptoms are gone in 4-6 months.