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What Is a Thigh Lift?

Loose, excessive skin along the thighs can result from dramatic weight loss, gravity, genetics, or just the normal aging process. Whatever the cause may be, you’re not alone if unnecessary skin along the thighs has left you feeling a little self-conscious about your appearance. Thankfully, a thigh lift in Merritt Island & Melbourne FL with Clevens Face and Body Specialists can help resolve these issues, enabling you to feel more comfortable showing off your body in clothing like shorts or swimsuits.

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Before and After Thigh Lift

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When to Consider a Thigh Lift

Exercise and toning workouts will enhance the leg muscles, but unfortunately, no amount of weight loss can reduce the presence of hanging skin on the inner and outer thighs. At Clevens Face and Body Specialists, we offer the thigh lift alongside a number of both surgical and minimally invasive solutions to some of life’s most common cosmetic challenges. When you’re ready to learn more about what we can do for you, reach out to us at our Merritt Island or Melbourne, FL offices and set up your consultation with a helpful member of our staff.

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Our Experienced Team Is Here for You

With more than 20 years of experience informing their expertise, our board-certified body contouring plastic surgery specialists are here to help you achieve more youthful legs by reducing the presence of excess skin along your inner or outer thighs. Our innovative surgical techniques will restore tissue elasticity, so you can enjoy a more youthful and sculpted figure.

Dr. Clevens built his practice by surrounding himself with a number of highly experienced, consummate professionals. Each surgeon on our staff is a true specialist in their field, so you can look forward to an exemplary level of attention, and results that exceed your expectations…all delivered in a relaxing and luxurious environment.

We form lasting, trusted relationships with our patients, thanks to a commitment to and passion for a world-class level of customer care. Our goal is to keep you informed and comfortable at every step of the process, so you can enjoy peace of mind as you look forward to exemplary results.

The Ideal Thigh Lift Candidate

Thigh lift surgery will reshape the upper leg by removing excess skin that has started to hang and look full, but it should not be considered a weight-loss solution. The ideal candidate for the procedure is someone who has loose skin around the inner and/or outer thigh that does not respond to exercise or a healthy lifestyle. Additionally, candidates should have a stable, healthy weight. 

You may be a candidate for thigh lift surgery if you:

  • Are at a relatively stable weight
  • Have sagging skin at the thigh
  • Are unhappy with skin that looks full and has lost elasticity
  • Are committed to healthy goals for maintaining the results of the procedure
  • Have realistic expectations for the surgery 
  • Have a positive goal in mind
  • Are ready to experience increased body confidence and self-esteem

Learn More in “Thigh Lift Surgery 101“

Your Thigh Lift Options

Corrective surgery is the best option for sculpting the legs and addressing sagging tissue. A thigh lift will reduce the presence of excess skin on the thighs, creating a tighter, firmer appearance. Two types of thigh lift techniques are available:

Inner Thigh Lift

  • This procedure is also known as a medial thigh lift.
  • This is the most common upper leg corrective surgery.
  • It is performed as a standalone operation.

Outer Thigh Lift

  • This procedure addresses excess skin below the hips.
  • The incision is located near the hipbone.
  • This procedure is frequently combined with other procedures (such as a tummy tuck) as part of a body lift procedure.
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Your Thigh Lift Consultation

Anyone interested in the thigh lift procedure is advised to first schedule a consultation with our surgeons. During your appointment, our board-certified breast and body plastic surgery specialists will get to know your goals and help you explore the options that can accomplish your expected results. You will have an opportunity to review the reasons for wanting a thigh lift, your expectations for the surgery, and your desired results. To determine if the thigh lift is right for you, our breast and body specialists will also review your medical history, previous treatments, and potential allergic risks.

We’ll take care to explain the procedure in detail, along with the recovery process and potential risks that are associated with this particular procedure. This will be your chance to raise any concerns or questions you have, so we can ensure you’re as well-informed as possible. You’ll also get detailed information about what you can expect from the recovery period as you rest and look forward to your final results. We’ll schedule follow-up appointments so we can ensure that you’re healing properly, and will be available to make sure you’re supported and comfortable during the entire aftercare process.

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Pre-operative Considerations

During your consultation, you’ll also discuss:

  • Current medications, including herbal supplements and vitamins
  • Use of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs
  • Any medical conditions or allergies
  • Reasons for wanting the surgery
  • Your desired results

During your consultation, our board-certified breast and body plastic surgeons will perform a brief physical exam before going over your pre- and post-op considerations. This will include instructions to stop taking aspirin or multivitamins two weeks prior to your thigh lift. 

While we recommend that patients be nonsmokers, those who do smoke will be asked to stop doing so for two weeks before the surgery. To allow for proper tissue healing, smoking must not be resumed for at least two weeks after the procedure.

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The Thigh Lift Procedure

Our breast and body specialists perform all of our thigh lift procedures in Melbourne, FL. Most procedures are performed on an outpatient basis, meaning you can return home on the day of your procedure, though you’ll need someone to drive you. The thigh lift typically takes between three and four hours to perform, under general anesthesia. The details of each surgical procedure will depend on the type of thigh lift performed and the extent of the correction needed.

Inner Thigh Lift (Medial Thigh Lift)

The inner thigh lift is the most common thigh lift technique used today and is normally performed as a standalone surgery.

Your surgeon will begin by making an incision along the groin crease in the inner thigh, minimizing the prominence of the post-surgical incision. From here, they will excise unwanted tissue, then pull the remaining skin taut. Finally, sutures will be placed along the incision line.

Outer Thigh Lift (Lateral Thigh Lift)

An outer thigh lift is normally performed in conjunction with other corrective procedures, such as a tummy tuck or liposuction. The outer thigh lift removes excess skin that may be sagging below the hip area, and as such, the incision is located near the hipbone. Once your surgeon has made the predetermined incisions, they will reduce the excess tissue, and place sutures for proper healing. When closing the thigh lift incision, a longer-lasting result can be achieved by attaching sutures to the deep bone ligaments, with the deeper tissue layers closed first. A special pressure wrap is then placed after the surgery, which will need to be worn for at least four to six weeks following the procedure.

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Recovery After Your Thigh Lift Surgery

A thigh lift is an outpatient procedure, meaning you can return home the same day as the surgery. Our board-certified breast and body plastic surgery specialists have designed their thigh lift operation to give you the ability to sit up immediately after your procedure, and we’ll prescribe medications that will help ease any discomfort. We’ll schedule post-operative appointments with you to remove your dressings and drain the incision if needed. Some activity will be possible immediately, although exercise and heavy lifting will need to be avoided for six weeks.

Most patients are able to resume work after about a single week, as long as there is no major physical activity or heavy lifting involved. When you visit us for your consultation, we’ll explain what you can expect from your recovery period and address any concerns you  have about the process.

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FAQs About the Thigh Lift

Is there a difference between the inner and outer thigh lift procedures?

Can a thigh lift be combined with liposuction?

Will liposuction alone work to sculpt my thighs?

Is a thigh lift uncomfortable?

Is an overnight hospital stay required with a thigh lift?

Will there be a visible incision after my thigh lift?

What are the possible complications from a thigh lift?

What is a mini thigh lift?

How much does a thigh lift cost?

Is there a difference between the inner and outer thigh lift procedures?

Yes: The inner thigh lift (medial thigh lift) concentrates on the tissues along the inside of the thighs. This technique is the most common and can be performed alone. The outer thigh lift (lateral thigh lift), on the other hand, focuses on the outer side of the thighs and is normally performed in conjunction with other body sculpting techniques like the tummy tuck.

Can a thigh lift be combined with liposuction?

A thigh lift on its own is not a weight loss remedy. The technique was designed to remove excess skin, but not fat. However, some patients do elect to have other corrective procedures alongside their thigh lift—including liposuction—to remove the excess fat deposits in the upper leg region or other areas of the body.

Will liposuction alone work to sculpt my thighs?

No, liposuction by itself cannot resolve loose skin along the thighs. Reducing additional fat without addressing excess skin is likely to create additional sagging tissues.

Is a thigh lift uncomfortable?

The thigh lift procedure itself will not be uncomfortable, as you will be placed under general anesthesia. You’ll experience mild to moderate discomfort during your recovery period, which will resolve over the following week. Our experienced specialists will prescribe medication to ease any discomfort during this time.

Is an overnight hospital stay required with a thigh lift?

An overnight stay is usually not needed.

Will there be a visible incision after my thigh lift?

Our breast and body specialists will place the incision in your inner leg and groin crease, making it less visible. They will also recommend incision management practices as appropriate. Over time, the incision will fade somewhat, although it will remain visible.

What are the possible complications from a thigh lift?

The thigh lift is a well-tolerated procedure. As it is a surgical procedure, there is always a small chance that bleeding, infection, poor wound healing, and nerve damage will occur. However, when performed by an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon, these risks are minimized.

What is a mini thigh lift?

Patients who wish to remove a smaller amount of excess skin may be good candidates for a “mini thigh lift.” This procedure is similar to a thigh lift but has a shorter incision line that generally extends about a third of the way down the upper portion of the inner thigh, rather than running the entire thigh. To find out whether or not a mini thigh lift is right for you, schedule your consultation with our board-certified breast and body contouring specialists.

How much does a thigh lift cost?

The cost of a thigh lift varies depending on the training, skill, and experience of your surgeon, as well as where the procedure will take place. At Clevens Face and Body Specialists, our board-certified plastic surgeons specialize in body contouring, including the thigh lift procedure. A thigh lift is often combined with other procedures, such as an arm lift or tummy tuck, for optimal results. On its own, a thigh lift typically costs between $9,000 and $18,000.

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