Many people struggle with excess skin or stubborn fat around their thighs, which can happen after weight loss, aging, or simply due to genetics. No matter why it happens, it can make you feel self-conscious about your body. The loose, sagging skin might affect how your clothes fit and make everyday activities uncomfortable. This skin is also incredibly difficult (and often impossible) to fix with regular diet and exercise. So what’s the solution?
Dr. Zachary Farris is a double-board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in cosmetic plastic surgery in Dallas. With certifications from the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery, Dr. Farris brings expertise and experience to every body contouring procedure. A thigh lift or thighplasty is a procedure that removes excess skin and fat on your legs so you can live a better, more comfortable life.
How Is a Thigh Lift Performed?
Dr. Farris performs the thigh lift procedure under general anesthesia, typically taking two to three hours. The goal is to remove excess skin and fat so your thighs look smoother and more toned. Here’s what to expect:
- Incisions: Dr. Farris makes an incision along the groin area, which may extend down the inner thigh if there is significant excess skin near the lower thigh or knee.
- Medial Thigh Lift: The procedure primarily focuses on tightening and lifting the inner (medial) thigh to address sagging skin.
- Combination With Liposuction: Dr. Farris often combines the thigh lift with liposuction for better contouring, particularly in the lateral thigh area.
- Additional Contouring: In some cases, Dr. Farris may recommend a buttock lift to improve the shape of your lower body.
Benefits of a Thigh Lift
A thigh lift offers several benefits, including:
- Smoother, tighter skin: With less extra skin and fat on your legs, they'll look more toned and youthful.
- Improved confidence: Get the body shape you’ve worked hard for and feel more confident in your appearance.
- Better clothing fit: You'll love how well tight pants and shorts fit after your lift.
- Long-lasting results: When combined with a healthy lifestyle, the results of a thigh lift can last for years.
Am I a Candidate for a Thigh Lift?
Candidates for a thigh lift include healthy, normal-weight nonsmokers who have excess skin or fat on their thighs. Patients may have loose, sagging skin due to aging or losing a lot of weight. They may also have difficult fatty areas that persist despite diet and exercise. Patients could have trouble fitting properly into clothes and could feel self-conscious about how their legs look.
What to Expect After Surgery
Dr. Farris and his staff at Farris Plastic Surgery will provide specific instructions after your surgery. In general, here is some information and tips for your recovery:
- Expect to have some swelling and bruising for several weeks.Â
- It will be important to wear your compression garment for four weeks and to keep your legs elevated as much as possible.Â
- You may also have drains, and we’ll provide instructions on how to use them.Â
- Take your pain medication only when necessary and the antibiotic as prescribed.Â
- Dr. Farris places stitches under the skin during surgery, so there is nothing to remove in the office.Â
- You may use vitamin E cream and scar products beginning three weeks after surgery to help your scars heal.
Why Choose Farris Plastic Surgery?
Dr. Zachary Farris is a double-board-certified plastic surgeon with years of specialized experience. Having trained with some of the most renowned plastic surgeons in New York City and serving as an assistant professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Dr. Farris has honed his skills in patient care and surgical techniques. He has earned recognition as one of Dallas' Top Doctors by Castle Connolly and is a highly respected member of the plastic surgery community.Â
At Farris Plastic Surgery, your procedure will be performed in our AAAASF-accredited surgical facility, located conveniently within our office. With these credentials and Dr. Farris’s qualifications, you can trust he will always prioritize your safety and satisfaction.
FAQs
Where on the Body Are the Incisions Made for a Thigh Lift?
For a limited thigh lift, the incision is along the groin. For more extensive work to address excess skin lower in your thigh, the incision extends along the inner aspect of your thigh to knee level.
Will a Thigh Lift Tighten Muscle as Well as Skin?
A thigh lift will help contour your thigh area by removing excess skin and some fat. It does not involve surgery of the muscles of the thigh.
Do I Have to Be a Certain Weight to Be a Candidate for a Thigh Lift?
Your weight should be stable with a body mass index (BMI) of less than 35. This will optimize your healing, aesthetic result, and safety.
Do You Perform Liposuction Also for the Thighs?
Yes, a thigh lift is often combined with liposuction to remove stubborn fat that can’t be easily fixed with surgery alone.
Will I Need to Wear a Compression Garment After a Thigh Lift?
Yes, you will need to wear a compression garment after a thigh lift to help reduce the swelling. You’ll also want to elevate your legs.
Will I Need Drains After a Thigh Lift?
Drains are usually required after a thigh lift to help remove fluid from the surgical site. This will decrease the risk of developing a fluid collection.
Do I Have to Be Admitted to the Hospital After a Thigh Lift?
No, a thigh lift is usually performed in an ambulatory setting, not requiring hospital admission. In this case, your surgery would be performed in our AAAASF-accredited surgical suite within our office.
How Can I Prepare for My Procedure?
Some of the ways to prepare for thigh lift surgery include:
- Go to your consultation with Dr. Farris.
- Learn all about costs, financing, scheduling, and other items from our team.
- Schedule your surgery.
- Clear your schedule as needed for the one to two weeks of initial recovery.
- Assess what obligations, errands, chores, and other daily tasks you are responsible for, and ask someone for help with these things while you recover.
- Arrange for someone to bring you to surgery and drive you home.
- Arrange for someone to be with you at your home for at least 24 hours after surgery.
- Prepare easy meals so you don’t have to cook or get food after surgery.
- Fill prescriptions.
- Avoid alcohol.
- Get a good night of sleep before surgery.
- Cease certain medications as instructed by Dr. Farris, if applicable.
- Stop eating the night before as instructed.
This gives you an idea of what to expect. We will, of course, provide you with exact, complete preoperative and postoperative instructions before your surgery.
Will I Have Any Scars After My Thigh Lift Procedure?
Yes, all surgical procedures leave scars, and the thigh lift is no exception. Most people considering plastic surgery are nervous about scarring - how will it look? Will it be extensive? Will it be a worthwhile tradeoff for the results you get? These are all important questions you should discuss with Dr. Farris.
Most candidates feel the scars are well worth it. Their location depends on the type of thigh lift. Incisions are made along the crevice where the groin meets the upper leg. This incision may extend over the hip bone and/or down along the inner side of your thigh. Dr. Farris will show you which incision locations will best accomplish your results.
How Long Will the Results of My Thigh Lift Last?
The results are semi-permanent, with the two most significant factors being the inevitable effects of age and the potential for future weight gain.
As the years go by, gravity and aging will cause skin sagging, collagen diminishment, and loss of skin elasticity. However, the skin will be smoother and flatter than it would have been without the thigh lift.
To keep your thigh lift results looking good for as long as possible, try to maintain a stable weight and healthy habits. Focus on a balanced diet with lean proteins, vegetables, and whole grains to avoid weight gain. For exercise, start with low-impact activities like walking or swimming, then gradually add leg-strengthening moves like squats and lunges to keep your thighs toned.
How Long Will It Be Until I Can Sit or Walk After My Thigh Lift?
You should plan to rest lying down for at least the first week. You will need to engage in very gentle walking this first week to prevent blood clots, but move with great caution to protect your incisions. If you sit during this first week, don’t sit for prolonged periods of time. Mostly, you will be on bed rest.
After the first week, continue to sit and walk gently and limit your movement for another week. After about six weeks, you can get back to more strenuous activities.
What Are My Financing Options?
At Farris Plastic Surgery, we offer three flexible financing options:
- PatientFi: Pay over time with monthly plans. The soft credit check means no impact on your credit score when applying.
- CareCredit: Offers 0% interest on select plans and instant approval. Use their calculator to estimate your monthly payments.
- Alphaeon Credit: Provides flexible payment options and special financing not available with other cards.
These options help make your procedure more affordable and accessible.
Contact Us Today!
A thigh lift can be life-changing if you have been dealing with excess skin on your legs. Call Farris Plastic Surgery in Dallas today! We can be reached at 214-363-1073, or you can contact us online.Â
