With the ageing process or even after massive weight loss, wrinkling and loosening of the connective tissue can occur, especially on the inner thighs. Despite exercise and a healthy lifestyle, the condition of the thighs can rarely change. A thigh lift can correct the sagging skin and excess fat accordingly.
The surgical technique can be liposuction alone or a combined procedure using suction and removal of excess skin. A thigh lift improves the contour of the legs and thus also makes it easier to choose clothes. The well-being and self-esteem are increased accordingly by the change.
How is a thigh lift performed?
In patients with good skin elasticity and little excess skin, liposuction alone can lead to a very good result. The technology used is secondary, the important thing is the liposuction technique.
If there is excess skin with reduced elasticity, surgical skin removal is necessary. Skin removal is always performed in combination with liposuction.
Can cellulite be treated with liposuction?
Liposuction is performed in different layers and with suction cannulas of different thicknesses. Using very superficial suction and a thin cannula, the connective tissue collagen strands can be cut directly under the skin (“subcision”).
The underlying fatty tissue can be redistributed to achieve a smooth surface. Occasionally, a fat graft can also be performed to fill in dents.
How long is the scar of a thigh lift?
The exact length and position of the scar varies from person to person and depends on the extent of the excess skin and fat. In the case of pure liposuction, very small incisions (3-5mm) are made in the groin area and on the inner side of the thigh. In the case of a surgical skin tightening, the incision depends on the extent of the horizontal and vertical excess skin.
If there is little excess skin, a so-called “mini thigh lift” in the groin is sufficient. After massive weight loss and significant excess skin, however, a vertical incision is often necessary, resulting in a vertical scar on the inner side of the thigh and slightly sloping along the groin (hockey stick incision). With regular scar care, however, the scar is hardly visible after a year and the shape is ultimately decisive.
What is the course of treatment?
The operation is usually performed under general anaesthesia and can be performed on an outpatient or short-stay basis. To prepare the tissue for the operation, manual lymphatic drainage is recommended one day before the operation. If you smoke, you must stop nicotine consumption completely at least two weeks before and after the operation. In diabetics, the Hba1C should be in the normal range (4.5 – 6.5%) before the operation.
What are the risks of treatment?
Significant overweight (BMI > 32kg/m2) can significantly increase the risk of surgery and affect the expected outcome. Serious complications such as postoperative bleeding or infections are very rare. Since the operation is very superficial, nerve and vascular injuries are unlikely. The lymph vessels are usually not injured, which is why lymphedema after the operation is hardly possible.
Occasionally there are temporary sensory disturbances, especially on the inner thigh, but this will usually normalise in the following months. Wound healing disorders or fluid accumulation can usually be treated conservatively in the consultation without surgical intervention.
Is a thigh lift painful?
As this is a purely soft tissue operation, the procedure is usually painless. Pain medication usually has to be taken 5-7 days after the operation, then you are usually fit for social life again and you can go about your daily life normally.
What do I have to keep in mind after the operation?
After the operation you will be given a compression garment for the legs, which must be worn consistently for 4 weeks. Afterwards, I recommend wearing the compression garment at night for another 4 weeks. I also recommend manual lymphatic drainage, which can be started 2-3 days after the operation, twice a week for a total of 9 treatments. Manual lymphatic drainage must be performed by a certified physiotherapist with additional training in manual lymphatic drainage.
This can be supplemented with LPG endermology treatment after a few weeks. Sporting activities should be avoided until the wound has healed approx. 2 weeks after the operation. However, I recommend early mobilisation (walking) and sufficient fluid intake to reduce the risk of thrombosis to a minimum. If there is an increased risk of thrombosis, I recommend thrombosis prophylaxis by means of a blood-thinning injection for about 10 days.
Sutures are removed after 14 days. For optimised scar healing, I recommend daily scar care from the 7th week of surgery up to one year after surgery as well as consistent sun protection SPF 50.
When will I see the result of the thigh lift?
The wound takes about two weeks to heal, after which the stitches are removed. However, the legs may still be swollen at this point. Compression garments and manual lymphatic drainage can promote the healing process.
Hardening or irregularities may persist for a few months, but the final result of liposuction takes 6 months. Scars take a year to heal, during which time they must also be cared for with a silicone plaster or scar gel.
What are the costs of a thigh lift?
As the procedure is an aesthetic treatment, health insurance companies do not usually cover the treatments. Very rarely, a thigh lift may be covered by health insurance, especially after significant weight loss.
This must be checked individually. The costs for an aesthetic thigh lift are variable and depend on the complexity of the operation. An exact cost estimate can therefore only be provided after a personal consultation.
