Sitting in the window of the café at the beach, you notice a fitness class is taking place. The group of men and women are different ages, shapes and sizes.
But one person stands out – they look like they have the same shaped thighs as you do.
You watch them jogging up and down on the spot before they perform push-ups and sit-ups. And you wonder if they’re feeling how you feel when you move like that.
A few years ago you lost a great deal of weight but even though you’re fitter, healthier and happier, the side effects weren’t what you expected.
Because no matter how hard you work out or how far you run, your upper thighs still have loose, saggy skin. Watching the person at the beach with similar legs to you has made you wonder if there could be a better way to tone your thighs?
So you pull out your smart phone and ask Google, “is there a way to tone thighs with surgery?” and that’s how you discover thigh reduction surgery.
You don’t have to walk around with saggy, wobbly thighs that chafe and make you feel uncomfortable.
Thigh reduction surgery effectively tones your thighs and upper legs.
What is thigh reduction surgery?
Thigh reduction surgery (sometimes called a “thigh lift”) is a cosmetic procedure where excess skin and fatty tissue are removed from the thigh area. Wobbly thigh skin that sags can be a result of weight loss or a result of the natural ageing process, which leads to the skin losing elasticity. Thigh reduction surgery tightens the thighs, resulting in a more youthful, firmer look.
Thigh reduction can be performed at the same time as other cosmetic procedures including:
Well-trained and experienced Cosmetic Surgeons will pay special attention to their surgical technique so scars are minimised.
Any scarring resulting from thigh lift surgery gets well concealed in the inner thigh and groin areas.
Who is the best candidate for thigh reduction surgery?
The best candidates for thigh reduction surgery usually have large amounts of skin or fatty tissue in their thigh area. This excess skin can lead to uncomfortable chafing between the legs. In some cases physical activities, including walking become painful.
In an effort to further empty the loose skin of any fat, a Cosmetic Surgeon may choose to use combine the thigh reduction surgery with liposuction. This ensures they only remove the excess skin while preserving all of the important structures in the legs including blood vessels, nerves, and lymphatics.
People who undergo thigh reduction surgery generally:
- Have excess skin on their inner and outer thighs and buttocks
- Are physically fit and well
- Have sagging skin on their upper legs and wobbly inner thighs they want to get rid of.
What happens during thigh reduction surgery?
Thigh reduction surgery is performed under a general anaesthetic with most patients staying overnight in hospital. The Cosmetic Surgeon makes an incision along the upper inner thigh area, however in some cases they may continue the incision to the groin line or buttock fold.
Any excess fat and skin are removed through the incisions. In some cases liposuction will also be used before the wounds are sutured or stapled shut. Thigh reduction surgery takes between 2 to 3 hours.
Your Cosmetic Surgeon may use an alternative thigh reduction technique where they make an incision on the inner thigh from the groin down to just above the knee. The fatty tissue and skin are then removed before the skin is sutured together.
Regardless of the location of the surgical incisions, your Cosmetic Surgeon will make every effort to ensure the scars will be as inconspicuous as possible. Some patients need to have drainage tubes in place after the procedure. It is important to note that after thigh reduction surgery you will need to wear compression garments for 2 to 6 weeks. The results of your thigh lift will be seen immediately, however the final result won’t become apparent for a few months.
Read the key facts about thigh reduction surgery here.
Are there any risks or complications with thigh reduction surgery?
It is important to note that every surgery has risks including:
- Allergic reactions
- Bleeding
- Changes in skin sensation
- Damage to deeper structures
- Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
- Fat necrosis
- Healing issues
- Infection
- Major wound separation
- Pain
- Scarring
- Skin contour irregularities
- Skin discolouration and swelling
- Skin sensitivity
Specific risks and complications with thigh reduction surgery include:
Asymmetry: Prior to surgery, your thighs will be slightly different. During your procedure, your Cosmetic Surgeon will try to minimise the asymmetry between your thighs. Some degree of minor asymmetry is quite common and for most patients this asymmetry is minor.
Scarring: After thigh lift surgery, it is inevitable you will have some scarring. A highly trained and experienced Cosmetic Surgeon will take great care to minimise the scarring and will ensure the scars are as discreet as possible.
What is recovery like after thigh reduction surgery?
Most patients are able to resume light activities within the first 7 days after thigh lift surgery. Full activities can usually be resumed 3 to 4 weeks after surgery. Your Cosmetic Surgeon will advise how long you need to take off work; most patients take between 1 to 2 weeks off.
Recovery from thigh reduction surgery varies from 2 to 6 weeks and is subject to your daily level of physical activity. It is important to note that for 6 weeks after the procedure, heavy lifting should be avoided.
To assist your healing process and decrease the possibility of fluid build-up, you will need to wear compression garments for 2 to 6 weeks. Any swelling or bruising is usually only mild to moderate and will disappear after 2 weeks. Any pain experienced is minimal with most patients reporting it disappears after 2 to 3 days.
How do I find the best Cosmetic Surgeon in Australia for thigh reduction surgery?
It is very important that you choose a Cosmetic Surgeon who is highly trained and experienced with thigh reduction surgery. We suggest you make a shortlist and consult with a few Cosmetic Surgeons. You can find the best Australian Thigh Reduction Surgeons here.
At your initial thigh reduction consultation, they will ask about your body image, lifestyle, health and medical history. The Cosmetic Surgeon will also assess your skin tone and discuss the most appropriate surgical technique for your condition.
The best candidates for thigh reduction surgery are physically healthy people who want to improve the way they look. It is very important to be clear about your expectations of the thigh reduction procedure, to understand the recovery process and the likely results you will achieve in the long term.