Thigh Lift
Conveniently located to serve the areas of Corpus Christi and South Texas
Thighplasty, also known as a thigh lift, can dramatically improve the way your thighs look by getting rid of the excess skin and flabbiness, smoothing out the surface of the thigh and contouring those stems so you can get back into a swimsuit with renewed confidence.
Like all parts of the body, the thighs are susceptible to age. In fact, many people experience even more reluctance to reveal their legs as they age due to a loss of skin elasticity and shapeliness in this region, which can give the legs a sagging, rough appearance.
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What is a Thigh Lift (Thighplasty)?
A thighplasty is a surgical procedure aimed at lifting and smoothing the skin between the knee and the buttocks back to its original, youthful tautness.
It is often coupled with liposuction if the patient also wants to get rid of fat deposits in this area. Thigh lifts can be used to improve the appearance of any part of the thigh, including the inner, outer, front, lower, and upper regions.
The procedure can take up to three hours, depending on the patient’s desired outcome and specific areas of concern. Before you decide to undergo surgery, a consultation in Corpus Christi with Dr. Hervé Gentile will tell you everything you need to know about your own unique experience under the doctor’s expert recommendations.
Who Should Get a Thigh Lift?
The best candidates are at a stable body weight level, do not have any health issues that may get in the way of the post-surgery healing process, and preferably wish to lead a healthy, active life.
Good candidates for this operation will be patients whose thighs have lost the natural elasticity that keeps the skin looking tight and smooth. This can often occur because of dramatic weight loss and age, and can make the individual feel supremely insecure in revealing that part of the body. Whether this is due to sagging, excess skin, cellulite, fat, or skin dimpling, it can be incredibly uncomfortable and embarrassing. Those experiencing these issues in the thigh region may opt for a thigh lift, and possibly liposuction, in order to correct them and recapture the self-confidence that comes with beautiful, smooth legs.
Techniques We Use
Thighplasty involves a strategically placed incision, removal of excess skin and tissue, skin tightening, and sometimes liposuction if fat removal is desired and recommended. There are several thighplasty techniques that can be performed to address an array of concerns. The specifics for each of these procedures are customized to each patient and the severity of their issue, specific region of the thigh, and preferred results.
Mini Thigh Lift
Inner Thigh Lift
An inner thigh lift focuses on the upper region of the leg – on the inside. It is a common form of thighplasty and results in a thinner, more streamlined appearance by contouring and re-proportioning the inner thigh region, as well as tightening the skin in many cases.
This option is often extra enticing to people who feel uncomfortable with the way the skin on their upper legs looks; this can often be a great option for patients who have lost a lot of weight. The surgery works to remove a small amount of skin and then smooth out the remaining surface of the front and outer thighs, and therefore does wonders to creating a more youthful and tight appearance.
Medial Thigh Lift
The J Thigh Lift
The J thigh lift is reserved for those patients that have excessive skin and soft tissues involving the entire upper leg. The incision is a J has a top transverse along the groin and a vertical one along the inner thigh sometimes continuing past the knee.
Thigh Lift vs. Thigh Liposuction
The thighplasty procedure is intended particularly for individuals whose skin has grown more saggy and dimpled due to drastic weight loss and age. Thigh liposuction, on the other hand, works for patients who simply wish to remove the extra fat from their thighs without smoothing out the skin. However, thigh lifts can go hand-in-hand with liposuction and are a marvelous option for people who want both a thinner leg and younger-looking skin. Optimal results can be achieved through the combination of both procedures for patients who feel insecure about the overall appearance of their legs.
Consultation
During your consultation in our Corpus Christi office, Dr. Gentile will go over what results you wish to achieve and what your best choices are for achieving them – whether through thighplasty, liposuction, or a blend of both. As a specialist in body contouring, Dr. Gentile is well equipped to coach potential patients on each procedure and what it entails. The consultation will also assess your physical health to determine whether you are a good candidate for this surgery. The doctor will also fill you in on all the necessary details, including the steps for the procedure itself, precautions you can take at home, the recovery process, and the costs associated with your various surgical options.
Preparing for your Surgery
As with all surgical procedures, patients are advised to stop smoking tobacco well before going under the knife, as well as avoid any prescription or over-the-counter medications – including herbal supplements – that may increase the risk of excessive bleeding during and after surgery. If you are unsure about your medications, please do not hesitate to ask Dr. Gentile during the consultation appointment.
Procedure Process
The specifics of a surgical procedure will depend on the patient’s body, preferences, and goals as each O.R.procedure is highly customized for the individual. Dr. Gentile will decide based on the circumstances whether to use a general or local anesthetic. The thighplasty will entail an incision and the removal of extra skin and tissue, as well as some level of liposuction if the patient wishes for the removal of fat deposits from the leg. Dr. Gentile will then lift and tighten the remaining skin to create a taut, shapely appearance before stitching you back up again.
If the condition is not severe, only a small incision near the upper thigh will need to be made and should be easily covered with clothing after recovery. In the event of more acute damage, which can often happen in the case of dramatic weight loss, Dr. Gentile may elect to perform a larger, vertical incision to better eliminate the excess sagging skin and contour the thigh region to greater effect.
Recovery / Results
During your follow-up visits Dr. Gentile will be able to evaluate how your thighs are recovering as well as the aesthetic results of your thigh lift.
Recovery time tends to vary from patient to patient depending on the severity of their condition, the kind of thighplasty undergone, whether or not liposuction was involved, and their overall health and wellness. Patients should expect the healing process to take up to six weeks in total, and about three to four weeks before returning to a normal schedule. Some bruising and swelling is perfectly normal, as well as minimal separation of the stitches along the incision on occasion. Be extra attentive during the first couple of weeks after surgery, as this is the most critical part of the healing period.
The results should appear after the four to six week healing period is over. Once the legs are fully healed, for long-term effects to be felt patients should consider continuing or beginning to lead a healthy lifestyle; making a habit of using physical activity and good nutritional practices to remain healthy makes it all the more likely that your legs will stay looking just as young and attractive down the line.
Cost
Much like the procedure itself, the cost of thigh lifts will fluctuate based on the specific circumstances and desired outcomes for each patient. Your financial options will be addressed by Dr. Gentile during the consultation so that you can communicate and weigh those choices together.
Elements that tend to impact cost are the amount of skin that is required to be removed, as well as the amount of tissue and fat that are taken out of the thigh as well. Smaller incisions, less excess skin, and easier-to-access parts of the leg will help to keep the price on the lower end of the spectrum, while liposuction, more skin damage due to massive weight loss, and larger incisions in more difficult areas of the thigh region will likely increase costs.
