Thigh Lift

A Thigh Lift is a surgical procedure designed to remove a surplus of loose leg skin and eliminate fat deposits in the thigh region and restore a proportionate contour and firmer thigh.

The choice of procedure depends on the exact condition (excess loose skin or excess skin and excess fat deposits) but will involve skin excision, or a combination of skin excision and liposuction.

The procedure is carried out as a day case procedure under general anaesthesia and takes 2 hours.

There is typically bruising for up to 3 weeks with end results at about 3 months. Scars are insignificant and managed by our Scar Management programme.

Typically, the thigh lift treatment begins with the patient being put under general anaesthesia. The incision location and technique used will be determined by the specific concerns being treated as well as the amount of skin and fat to be removed. Although the incision site can be anywhere, it is usually made in the groin or inner thigh area to hide the scar. After making the incision, the surgeon will trim away any extra skin and fat before reshaping the remaining tissue and skin to give the area a more toned and contoured appearance.

The surgery could also involve both the excision – cutting away – of extra skin and liposuction to remove fat. Liposuction is a procedure that removes surplus body fat by using a cannula (a tiny tube) and a suction device. Your surgeon will create small incisions in the skin and then suction away the fat with a cannula. This aids in shaping and contouring the thighs.

The incision site is then sutured closed and bandaged after the procedure. Although recovery times can differ, most patients can anticipate regaining full health in a few weeks.

Thigh Lift surgery should take two hours.

You may be suitable for a Thigh Lift if you have:

• Loose sagging skin in/around your upper legs
• Inelastic, lax thigh skin
• Excess fat deposits in your thighs
• Unshapely, untoned leg contours
• Disproportionate thighs relative to rest of figure

Thigh Lift surgery is straightforward, safe surgery although you should be aware of all the risks and complications before going ahead with the surgery.

Pain levels will vary depending on the individual, but most patients experience some discomfort and soreness in the days following surgery. The type of thigh lift treatment used could also affect how painful the procedure is, with more intrusive procedures typically causing more discomfort. 

In order to help you cope with any discomfort, your surgeon can offer you painkillers. They'll also provide you with post-operative advice that you need to follow in order to reduce the possibility of complications like bleeding and infection.

Recovery time for this procedure will depend on the individual patient but is fairly minimal.

We usually advise that you take around two weeks off work following surgery as there will be bruising and swelling which may take around 10 days to subside. We also recommend you do not resume exercise for 4 – 6 weeks.

In the following few weeks, as you heal, smoother skin on the thigh and scars will start to heal.

Our expertise in scarring techniques along with our highly-experienced surgeons ensure a great result, and whilst a thigh lift surgery is not an especially painful procedure, you may experience discomfort due to the tight sensation of the skin. Effective pain relief can be provided by your aftercare team should you required it.

If you have undergone Liposuction, you will feel a little bruised and stiff for a few days but there is no restriction on movement. Any dressings can be removed in a couple of days or when they come loose, and stitches removed in a week.

Yоu may соntіnuе tо experience ѕоmе mіld, реrіоdіс dіѕсоmfоrt and ѕwеllіng durіng thіѕ tіmе, but ѕuсh fееlіngѕ аrе nоrmаl. Sеvеrе pain, bleeding or swelling should bе reported tо your surgeon.

You will receive more detailed advice from your surgeon ahead of surgery.

It is important to understand that the results are not permanent. Weight increase or loss, ageing, and skin flexibility are a few examples of factors that may have an impact on how long your results last.

Maintaining a constant weight, engaging in regular exercise, and eating a healthy diet are the keys to preserving the effects of a thigh lift for longer. This is because weight gain or loss might cause the skin to stretch and droop and reverse the effects of the surgery.

Regular exercise and a nutritious diet of fewer calories are both necessary to maintain a steady weight. It can also help you to increase muscle mass, which can aid in keeping the shape and tone of the thighs.  

It's also important to note that as we age, our skin's elasticity may decline and collagen may be lost, which could lead to sagging skin or reverse the results of the procedure. 

The main benefit of a thigh lift is that it improves the appearance of the thighs. Excess skin and fat will be removed during the treatment, resulting in a more toned and contoured look. Patients might feel more confident and find themselves with higher self-esteem as a result of being able to engage in activities and wear clothing that they may have avoided before the procedure. It can also help improve mobility, making it easier to take part in physical activities, as the previous loose skin on the thighs may have made it difficult to move and exercise.

A thigh lift can also be combined with other treatments, such as liposuction and tummy tucks, to produce a more comprehensive reshaping result.

One of our highly trained, elite plastic surgeons will perform your Thigh Lift.

All our thigh lift and liposuction specialists have been hand-picked by Mr Bryan Mayou, our founder, and the pioneer of liposuction in the UK.

Your consultation is designed to be the perfect opportunity to ask all the pressing questions that you have to your consultant, ahead of making a decision on surgery. It is vital that you are fully informed before making your final decision, and the consultation is, therefore, a key part of the education and decision-making process.

Some good examples of questions to ask include:

• Am I a good candidate for this procedure?
• Do you think my goals are realistic given my existing anatomy?
• Will I require a single surgery or multiple surgeries?
• Can I see some before & after pictures of Thigh Lift procedures you have done previously?
• How long will my recovery take?
• Is it true that Cadogan offers 24/7 on-call nursing service?
• What can I expect in terms of bruising, swelling and scarring?
• What are my options if I am unhappy with my results?

No special preparation is required although it is generally advisable to do the following before any surgery

• Stop smoking. Smoking decreases blood flow in the skin and can slow the healing process. If you smoke, your doctor will recommend that you stop smoking before surgery and during recovery.
• Avoid certain medications. You'll likely need to avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements, which can increase bleeding.
• Arrange for help during recovery. Make plans for someone to drive you home after you leave the hospital and stay with you for at least the first night of your recovery at home.

You should start to see results in the days following surgery. These will fully start to appear from around the six-week mark and improvements will be ongoing for the first 12 or so months.

Your results will be long lasting and permanent so long as you maintain your body weight following surgery.

The ageing process will however continue from your new post-procedure point, and skin laxity will gradually increase over time. The ageing process will start from a far better point, however, so it should be many years before this becomes noticeable again.

Aside from liposuction, it's also possible to combine a thigh lift surgery with a buttock lift or even a knee lift. On the front of the knee, there are generally two bulges, just below the kneecap on the front on either side on which the fat can be removed if that is something you're concerned about for your overall look. Thigh lift surgery is performed as a day case, meaning you will be able to return home after the surgery. You can expect to have reasonable mobility back after a few days, and a return to your full daily activities after 6-8 weeks.

A thigh lift can help with Cellulite but a thighplasty alone will not guarantee the removal of cellulite.

At the Cadogan Clinic we offer Cellulaze cellulite treatment – a laser liposuction treatment – to specifically target cellulite.

Yes, a thigh lift is likely to leave a scar. The location and length of the scar are dependent upon where the incision is placed and the extent to which skin is removed. Your surgeon will try to hide this in the natural creases and folds of your thigh region.

These scars will heal over time and can heal faster with the use of over the counter treatments. You should expect most scars to be well hidden with particular underwear or clothing.

The scars from a thigh lift are hidden in the groin area and can sometimes extend along the inner thigh. The position and the size of the scars after a thigh lift will depend on the location and amount of excess skin that needs to be removed during the procedure. The surgical technique recommended will depend on the degree of skin laxity and anatomy of your skin.

You can view thigh lift before and after images when you come in to meet with your surgeon.

At your consultation, your consultant will share examples with you of thigh lift results they have personally achieved with patients in the past.

A micro thigh lift is a less invasive alternative to a standard thigh lift that patients with mild to moderate skin sagging on the thighs may choose. The operation is frequently carried out on patients with a small amount of extra skin and fat on the inner thigh since it is intended to target this particular area rather than the entire thigh.

With a micro thigh lift a shorter incision and less tissue removal are usually required than with a traditional one. A mini thigh lift usually requires less time to recover too, although the results might not be as dramatic.

A mini thigh lift is not an appropriate option for people who have a lot of excess skin and fat on their thighs. For those patients, a conventional thigh lift can be a preferable choice. Additionally, it's important to remember that even if the process is less invasive, it is still a surgical operation with risks and problems. As a result, it's best to check with a licensed surgeon who has experience with this procedure before making a decision.

Depending on the type of surgery that was done and the healing process of each patient, the recovery time following a thigh lift can vary. Most patients can expect to see the full effects of their surgery in 6 weeks with the right attention and care.

You should anticipate some pain, swelling, and bruising in the area of the thigh right after surgery. Your surgeon may recommend medication to help you manage your pain. Compression clothing may also be advised by your surgeon in order to reduce swelling and aid in the healing process.

It’s also important to refrain from heavy lifting and strenuous exercise during the first week after treatment in order to avoid overstressing the thighs stretching the skin and slowing down the healing process. Though it may be recommended to take part in light workouts as prescribed by your surgeon to enhance blood circulation, which can speed up recovery.

We recommend all patients follow their surgeon's post-operative instructions, maintain a nutritious diet, and drink plenty of fluids to promote healing and reduce complications. Smoking should also be avoided as it can hinder the healing process. 

Patients are often recommended to be at or close to their goal weight before having a thigh lift because it is not a weight-loss operation. The technique can, however, help to reshape and contour the thighs, creating the illusion of weight loss. A thigh lift can also improve self-confidence and ease concerns about sagging or loose skin.