The thigh lift is a procedure that reshapes your lower body and gives your legs the shape you desire. This surgical procedure is performed under general anesthesia as the surgeon reduces excess skin, and in some cases, fat. The duration of the intervention usually lasts between one to three hours. However, this depends on the number of surgical procedures to be performed and the techniques used by the plastic surgeon.
Most of the time, the thigh lift begins with liposuction on the inner thighs in order to correct any imperfections and remove excess fat. The adipose pockets are suctioned through small cannulas that are 4mm wide. This preserves the delicate skin quality of this region for an optimal result.
After liposuction, the surgeon will make incisions to remove excess skin, and then lift the thighs.
The length and location of incisions varies from patient-to-patient as they differ according to the amount of excess skin that needs to be excised. This is usually determined during the pre-operative consultations in accordance with the patient’s desires.
Nevertheless, there are three main categories of techniques used for the thigh lift surgery:
The technique with vertical incision
This is performed if the patient has significant cutaneous excess. The incision is located along the inside of the thigh from top to bottom. Its length will depend on the amount of skin that needs to be removed.
The technique with horizontal incision
It is carried out when the patient has moderate skin excess and is localized on the upper part of the thighs. This technique leaves the most discrete scars because it is located in the natural folds of the silhouette. This means that the incision can be camouflaged in the fold of the upper thighs (inguinal fold). The skin tissues are then lifted upwards and inwards as the excess skin is removed. Once the skin is stretched, the incisions are sutured and hidden in the natural folds of the upper thigh.
The mixed technique (combining the two techniques described above)
If the patient presents both a significant amount of skin sagginess and adipose tissue, the plastic surgeon might decide to use both aforementioned techniques, and at the same time conduct liposuction. By doing so, the patient will have the best possible aesthetic results.
Nevertheless, you can find out which of these techniques are suitable for you only after a consultation with the plastic surgeon.