Losing weight is a great victory for any person. However, women and men who reach their goal weight may need one more step to finish their body transformation. Depending on how long you carried the extra weight and how much weight you lost, loose skin may be a separate challenge if the skin was not able to shrink to the new size and shape of your body. The thighs, in particular, are a place of concern for many patients. Dallas, TX plastic surgeons Dr. Carlos Raul Barceló and Dr. Huay-Zong Law offer thigh lift surgery (also known as thighplasty) at Sage Plastic Surgery, which removes extra skin on the outer and inner thighs to produce a more contoured, tighter appearance. Thigh lift surgery has risen in popularity because it offers natural results for patients fighting sagging skin on the thighs.

A thigh lift is best as an after weight loss procedure. It is typically performed on patients who have lost at least 100 pounds, although it is also popular in older adults who are fighting sagging skin due to age, as well as with women whose body weight fluctuated due to pregnancy. If you have loose, hanging, or wrinkly skin on the upper thighs (either the inner or outer thighs or both), a thigh lift may be an option. Please bear in mind that if cellulite is your bigger issue, Dr. Carlos Raul Barceló can suggest other procedures that may help to improve the appearance of cellulite. Thigh lift surgery is a skin removal and skin tightening procedure that corrects loose skin.

During a thigh lift, general anesthesia is usually administered to the patient. An incision is made around the upper area of the thigh in the natural crease where the thigh and torso meet. This incision often runs down to the middle point of the thigh area. This allows enough room to use liposuction (if wanted) to remove isolated pockets of fat and to excise all loose skin at the upper thigh. The remaining skin will be pulled upward so it is taut and safely secured with sutures. In certain cases, an incision may be necessary in the outer or inner thigh area or underneath the buttocks, depending on the amount of tissue being removed. This surgery reshapes the whole thigh area, leaving a shapelier, tighter, more contoured appearance.

A thigh lift takes around 2 – 3 hours to complete. As soon as the surgery is over, you will be monitored and then sent home for recovery. Usually there is immediate swelling, bruising, and discomfort experienced, but within a few days, most patients are up and walking slowly, which is important for better blood circulation and faster healing. The total recovery period typically takes about 6 – 8 weeks. During your healing, at-home wound care will help the incision to heal so it is less visible. Even though there will be some scarring, the new shape and contour of your thighs may help to boost your self-confidence to show off your legs with pride.

If you have loose skin on your legs that causes anxiety or embarrassment when your thighs are exposed, we invite you to call Sage Plastic Surgery in Dallas, TX to learn more about surgical thigh lifts. It is typical for patients to combine this surgery with other cosmetic procedures, especially ones that treat the lower body like a tummy tuck or a lower body lift, depending on your unique condition. Schedule your consultation with one of our talented plastic surgeons and get the toned appearance you desire.