Bariplastics Thighoplasty - Thigh lift

Excess skin, the presence of stretch marks and the presence of small-medium lipodystrophy on the medial surface of the thigh can only be treated surgically and the surgery is called a thigh lift or medial thigh lift. The purpose of the surgery is to sculpt a slimmer and tighter lower limb. There are three main types of  thighplasty, horizontal when there is a small excess skin only on the vertical axis of the thigh, vertical, in which the excess skin is on the horizontal axis, and their combination, in which there is excess on both axes. The operation is always combined with liposuction of the entire thigh, while liposuction is only recommended for patients with little sagging and enough subcutaneous fat. In cases where patients have a large amount of fat deposited in the area of ​​the trochanters, liposuction alone cannot provide a solution and must be combined with skin removal on the vertical axis of the outer surface of the thigh. This surgery is called external thighplasty. The doctor will explain which technique is indicated for you based on your history and clinical examination.

Horizontal medial thighoplasty is usually recommended for patients who have minor laxity, which is corrected by pulling the skin up, on the vertical axis of the thigh. The operation leaves an incision, which starts from the inguinal groove continues to the perineum and ends at the point where the gluteal groove begins behind. The scars are not visible from the swimsuit, but the issue of post-operative scars should be thoroughly discussed with the patient before the operation.

Vertical Thighoplasty is recommended for patients who have severe laxity, which is corrected by pulling the skin back on the vertical axis of the thigh. The operation leaves an incision on the inner surface of the thigh that starts at the root of the thigh and extends to just above the knee joint. The scars are visible outside the swimsuit, they are covered with special makeup for the first 8 months and then as they mature they sag and become less visible. The topic of postoperative scars in thigh plasty must be thoroughly discussed with the patient before the operation.

The combination of the two previous operations straightens and tightens the inner surface of the thighs in patients with large body weight loss and significant sagging. The removal of excess skin is done along both axes and is carried out simultaneously with liposuction. As a result, patients have one horizontal and one vertical incision. The topic of postoperative scars should be thoroughly discussed with patients. The vast majority of patients, however, significantly improve their self-confidence and sociability, and hardly mention the scars.

Candidates for thigh lift are adult patients with the aforementioned characteristics, who have stabilized their body weight, have obtained a normal BMI (body mass index) and have no other serious health problems.

Thighoplasty is performed under general anesthesia in an organized clinic. The duration of the surgery is from 2 to 4 hours. After surgery, it is advisable to stay in the clinic for a few hours and immediately mobilize the patients.

The type of scars depends on the surgery that will be chosen. If a horizontal thigh lift is performed there will be an incision hidden in the natural fold formed between the thigh and the torso. In vertical thighplasty, the incision is longitudinal, parallel to the femur, several centimeters long and hidden on the medial surface of the thigh. The combination of vertical and horizontal tympanoplasty leaves an approximately T-shaped incision. Finally, in the outer thigh lift there is an incision on the outer surface of the thigh from the underwear line to the middle of the thigh. For the first 8 months the scars are visible, then they discolour, shrink and become less pronounced. Scars are covered by clothes in winter and summer with special body makeup. For the majority of women, the scars are negligible compared to the improvement in their body contours. You will be given instructions immediately after surgery to avoid misshapen or hypertrophic scars, and you will be put on a follow-up program if you have a history of keloids.

The results are almost permanent and will remain stable as long as patients do not gain weight and maintain a moderate level of exercise. Scars will be visible for the first 8 months, after which they fade and sag.

In an internal thighplasty, the skin of the back and medial surface of the thigh is removed, along with old stretch marks. Surgery will not correct the quality of the skin that will be left, and patients should be aware that some stretch marks and thinning of the skin will remain after surgery, but will be less noticeable because the skin that is preserved is stretched. Both medial and external breast augmentation do not lift the buttocks.

One of the most serious limitations of the thigh plastic surgery is the existence of old deformed scars and keloids in other parts of the body, because the possibility of creating hypertrophic scars on the thighs is great. Also, patients with serious health problems, with delayed healing, who cannot receive general anesthesia or those with dysmorphic syndrome should be prevented from cosmetic surgeries.

The doctor will assess your general condition and your history and, if she decides that you are suitable for surgery, she will inform you about the possible complications and what needs to be done to reduce the possibility of their occurrence. You will also be asked to stop smoking and refrain from using supplements that affect blood clotting. The anesthesiologist will then talk to you about the type of anesthesia you will receive and the possible complications.

Depending on your age, you will be given instructions on the medications you may be taking and should be stopped or replaced, as well as on the additional testing you may need to do based on your history. Your weight should remain stable at the lowest levels, because possible fluctuations may delay the surgery, and you will be asked to gently exercise the muscles of the lower limb 2-3 months before the surgery.

The doctor will explain the value of smoking cessation and proper nutrition in wound healing. One week before the surgery, measurements will be taken to order a special pressure garment, you will be photographed and the consent form will be signed.

You stay at the clinic for a few hours, but your time away from work must have been calculated at 2 weeks. This doesn't mean you won't be able to do light work much sooner, but you'll generally feel overwhelmed. It is also recommended to refrain from sports for 1 month.

When you leave the surgery, you will wear a special pressure garment which you will keep for 6 weeks. You will likely have a drain that will be removed in the first 24 hours, and you will need to be mobilized as soon as possible. Pain and swelling when present are easily treated. Because the sutures are intradermal, no stitches need to be removed.

The cost of thigh plastic surgery is calculated by adding the cost of the clinic, in which the patient is operated and treated, the fee of the Plastic Surgeon and the Anesthesiologist. The purchase of the special pressure garment must be included in the costs.