Thighplasty (Thigh Lift)
Many people carry excess skin and fat on their bodies. A person may be an ideal body weight but still present with excess sagging skin on their upper legs. It can be pronounced in people who have lost a dramatic amount of weight.
At his New South Wales plastic surgery practice in Sydney Dr. Darrell Perkins performs thighplasty (thigh lift) procedures to address excess fat and skin in the upper thighs.
Overview
A thighplasty, also called a thigh lift can give patients with excess skin and fat in the upper thigh slimmer and more defined leg contours.
If there is little or no loose skin but there is an excess of fatty tissue, liposuction alone could be employed to reduce the excess fat and improve the contour of the upper leg, with no skin removal. If there is already excess loose skin, liposuction is likely to make the excess loose skin more pronounced and an open operation (thighplasty) would be required.
The Surgery
In the cases of small excess skin, a transverse incision is created that is hidden in the crease where the thigh meets the body.
In large excesses of skin, a vertical incision is required. All attempts are made to try to position the scar in the medial (inner) aspect of the thigh so on normal standing it is not visible from the front or the back. The improvement in the contour and shape of the thigh after the plastic surgery procedure can be dramatic.
Thighplasty is performed under a general anaesthetic in hospital. The procedure can take from 2 – 2.5 hours, and patients usually stay for 1 – 2 nights following the surgery.
Recovery
Just like any other operation, recovery after thighplasty surgery is very individual.
Upon completion of the surgery patients are placed a compression dressing. The dressing supports the area and helps to reduce swelling, and is worn for 2 weeks following the surgery.
Once recovered and ready for discharge, post-operative instructions covering wound care, medications and follow up appointment will be given.
It is essential that a responsible adult collect the patient and stay with them for the first 24 hours following the surgery if a day procedure.
Bruising and swelling are normal following the surgery and will subside over the first few weeks. A degree of discomfort can be expected for the few first days after the surgery.
Patients are encouraged to undertake light walking following the surgery to improve blood circulation, but strenuous leg activities must be avoided for at least 2 weeks. Dr Perkins will advise when a return to the gym is possible.
Patients are usually able to drive a car 7 days or so after their surgery, and generally return to work after 1 – 2 weeks depending on their type of employment.
Risks
Even with the highest standards of practice, all surgical procedures carry a level of risk and the potential for complications. In addition, every individual will have a different risk profile depending on their general health, age and the complexity of the procedure.
During the consultation Dr Perkins will explain the possible complications and risks of the specific procedure to provide the necessary information to enable patients to weigh up the benefits, risks and limitations of the surgery. The following are some of the risks associated with this procedure.
General risks involved in any surgery include post-operative infection, excessive bleeding, pain/discomfort, haematoma (blood collection), seroma (fluid collection), adverse reaction to anaesthetic.
Specific risks of surgery include keloid or hypertrophic scarring, result too tight or too loose, nerve pain.
Costs
Thighplasty following major weight loss may qualify for an MBS (Medicare Benefit Schedule) item number if specific criteria are met, making the procedure non-cosmetic.
As such, patients who qualify for an MBS item number and who are in a private health fund with appropriate cover will have a proportion of the costs rebated by Medicare and the health fund.
All other thighplasty surgery is classified as cosmetic and as such no Medicare or private health fund rebates apply for the medical or hospital/day surgery fees.
An estimate of costs will be provided following the consultation with Dr Perkins at his rooms in Kogarah or Miranda.