Treatments — Body
Thigh Lift
Thigh Lift by Mr. BanwellOne of the most common complaints I hear from my patients during body contouring consultations is the appearance of loose or baggy skin along the inner thigh resulting from massive weight loss.
Treatments — Body
One of the most common complaints I hear from my patients during body contouring consultations is the appearance of loose or baggy skin along the inner thigh resulting from massive weight loss.
It occurs, on average, because the skin of the inner thigh has less elasticity than other parts of the body, such as the face. As a result, patients who lose a large amount of weight, especially gastric bypass patients or gastric balloon patients, are likely to be left with this problem. It can also occur after large amounts of liposuction/liposculpture or as part of the normal process of ageing.
If you have developed this issue and it is making you too self-conscious to wear a swimming costume, for best results, you may want to consider a cosmetic Thigh Lift procedure. In Thigh Lift plastic surgery, the excess skin along the inner thigh, be it the upper or outer part, is measured with a pinch technique and removed. The scar may be confined to the groin crease alone, extending posteriorly under the buttock crease, but it may also extend to the inner thigh. A compression garment is worn for eight weeks after a lift, to control swelling and promote healing during recovery. Massage and manual lymphatic drainage is actively encouraged after thigh lift surgery. Light activity such as walking is encouraged.
A medial, laterial or bilateral Thigh Lift can be performed alone or in combination with other body contouring procedures, such as liposuction, breast lift (mastopexy) or breast reduction. However, it is not advisable to have a Thigh Lift and tummy tuck, or a mini tummy tuck together because the skin is being pulled in opposite directions for each procedure and delays in healing could occur. Combined surgeries are very long and do potentially increase the complication rate so the decision for much bigger surgeries needs to be considered very carefully.
"Thigh Lift Surgery following weight loss is big commitment but can provide improved comfort and confidence in clothes"
SURGERY TIME
3 hours
HOSPITAL STAY
2 night
ANAESTHETIC ASSESSMENT
Possibly
PRE ADMISSION TESTS
Possibly
SLEEPING POSITION
Sleeping on back recommended for 4 weeks
REASONABLY MOBILE
1 day
WASHING
Shower after 2 days. Bath after 2 weeks
DRIVING
3 weeks
EXERCISE INCLUDING GYM
6 - 8 weeks
SEXUAL ACTIVITY
Restricted Activity after 8 weeks
FULL RECOVERY
6 - 8 weeks
TIME OFF WORK
2 weeks
GARMENTS
None
Please contact Mr Banwell’s office on 01342 330302 or email help@paulebanwell.com for further information.
From £8800
Useful downloadable materials tailored to this procedure.
The decision for cosmetic surgery should not be taken lightly. This is why Mr Banwell believes that the consultation process with him and our Concierge is so important. Regardless we are here to hold your hand throughout your journey and answer any questions you may have. That leap of faith may be anxiety-provoking but please know that we will always be here to catch you!
In most cases, a curved horizontal scar can be used and placed in the groin crease after lifting. There tends to be a small amount of downward migration of the scar due to gravity, but it is usually not noticeable except in a very revealing bathing suit. If there is a very large amount of excess skin, such as the amount often seen after gastric bypass, a vertical scar along the inner thigh may be necessary as well.
Most patients are in fact good candidates for liposuction alone and will have a very satisfactory result. However, the quality of the final result depends on the ability of your skin to shrink after the fat has been removed, and in some cases there will be some residual loose skin. If you are not satisfied with the tightness of the inner thighs after liposuction, a Thigh Lift can be considered. If large amounts of loose skin are already present, then liposuction alone will probably not fulfil your needs.
Complications resulting from a Thigh Lift are very uncommon but they do occasionally occur and they must be considered before you have surgery. There are two categories of risks for a Thigh Lift: the general risks associated with all surgical procedures and the risks that are specific to a Thigh Lift.
The general risks include to the risks associated with a general anaesthesia, bleeding, infection, numbness, healing delay and scar formation. The scars may be visible in a swimming costume even if they are hidden in the groin crease because gravity causes a small amount of scar migration. Delays in healing may also occur because the closure has to be tight enough to get a good result. There may be some numbness of the thighs or legs if nerve branches are included in the skin removed. In rare instances, there may be compromise of the nerves, muscles or blood vessels because of compression due to excess swelling.
The best candidate for a Thigh Lift is someone who has lost a large amount of weight and is left with loose, baggy skin along the inner thigh. Patients who have developed loose skin because of the ageing process or prior surgery such as Liposuction may also be excellent candidates. If there is an excess amount of fat in the lower part of the inner thigh or knee, it can be treated with Liposuction at the same time.
Mr. Banwell’s team at the Pantheons Clinic would be delighted to help at any time so please feel free to call HQ on 01342 330302 or email help@paulebanwell.com.
Before the procedure, would you like to see the new you? With the help of the most popular 3D plastic surgery program in the world, you can now virtually “try on” several breast implants from the comfort of your own home. Don’t forget to save your pictures so you can show them to our surgeon when you visit.
Dr Paul founded the award-winning Banwell Clinic 10 years ago and this has become synonymous with innovation and premium care. To commemorate a decade of excellence and expansion of the team we have rebranded the Practice to PANTHEONS Clinic – literally ‘a collection of top experts’ – reflecting our commitment to high quality patient care, patient safety and the drive to make cutting edge technologies available to our ever-growing number of patients.