Most everyone understands that losing an abundance of weight can not only improve the way you look but can also improve your health and make you feel more confident. However, something that many people don’t understand is that sometimes extreme weight loss can leave behind a large amount of sagging, crepey, and loose skin that they were not bargaining for. Their excitement over the decreasing number on the scale is overshadowed by their disappointment in the way their body still looks.
One of the areas where loose skin tends to accumulate is the thighs which is more than an aesthetic issue as this loose skin can limit mobility, prevent clothing from fitting properly, and be uncomfortable.
Today we are going to talk about the surgical thigh lift after weight loss. We will talk about why someone would desire a thighplasty after weight loss, the details of the procedure, recovery, and the results you can expect.
Combating Loose Skin After Weight Loss
Dropping a substantial amount of weight takes determination and perseverance and is no easy feat. It may even be one of the hardest and most challenging things you’ve ever done, so seeing all that hard work pay off can be extra rewarding.
When you began your weight loss journey, you may have pictured yourself thin and trim when you finally reached your weight loss goal, and now that you are there, these are not the words you would use to describe the way you look. You may feel like your recent loss of pounds has turned you into a Shar-pei with loose, hanging skin that folds over on itself. This is very common, and unfortunately, most individuals are not expecting this outcome and become very distressed. This loose skin can cause embarrassment and negative body issues, but can also create medical issues such as infections, rashes, and chafing, and it can even inhibit the individual from wearing certain types of clothing.
What Can A Thigh Lift Do For Me After Weight Loss?
The most common type of thigh lift is the inner thigh lift which is often done after weight loss surgery. However, an inner thigh lift is also beneficial for someone who has not had dramatic weight loss, because skin laxity can also be impacted by the natural course of aging and genetics.
What Type of Thigh Lift Do I Need to Get Rid of Lose Skin After Weight Loss?
A thigh lift gets rid of all this extra hanging skin to undercover the results of all your hard work in losing weight. An inner thigh lift can be done using different techniques depending on how much loose skin is present.
- Crescent
- The crescent thigh lift is normally used to correct small to moderate amounts of loose skin. This thigh lift is for someone who has not had dramatic weight loss and has loose, saggy skin that may have resulted from aging or other reasons. It is done using one incision that is made along the natural curve where the top of the thigh meets the groin, so any subsequent scarring is well hidden. A small amount of extra skin and fat are removed from the inner thigh, and the surgeon pulls the remaining skin tight and secures it in place with stitches.
- Medial
- A medial thigh lift is done when there is a greater amount of skin and excess fat that has accumulated on the inner thigh. The surgeon normally uses liposuction during this surgery to help remove the unwanted fat and create natural-looking contours. The incision used for this technique runs along the inside of the upper thigh, where it meets the groin and then extends downward from the groin to the knee. This allows the surgeon to eliminate a larger amount of skin and excess fat tissue and create leaner, smoother, more toned-looking thighs.
- Lateral And Spiral
- The lateral and spiral thigh lifts are used most often for individuals who have had weight loss surgery and have a substantial amount of loose skin and fat rolls that need to be eliminated. The lateral thigh lift is considered one of the most difficult to perform and requires an expert who has special training because the skin and tissue in this location tends to be very heavy. A spiral thigh lift is the most invasive and extensive of all and is used in the most advanced cases.
How Long Does It Take Before You Recover After A Thigh Lift?
The time it takes to fully heal from a thighplasty after weight loss is different for each person. An individual’s total picture of health, and how well they follow their surgeon’s directions and take care of themselves after their thigh lift can influence how their healing process goes. It also depends on which thigh lift technique was used during the surgery, for example, someone who had a simple crescent thigh lift should recover within around 6 weeks, but it might be months after a spiral thigh lift before you are fully healed. Your surgeon will be able to provide you with a good estimate of what you can expect from your recovery.
A thigh lift is an extremely successful way to eradicate loose skin and fat from the thighs which will result in a noticeable improvement in their appearance. Whether your goal is to eliminate loose skin left behind after a tremendous weight loss, alleviate physical or medical issues caused by excess skin and fat, or restore your thighs to a younger, smoother, more defined look, a thigh lift can be a life-changing surgery that can do all this and more.
If you have been thinking about undergoing a thighplasty after weight loss, you will want to speak with Dr. Angelina Postoev at SurgiCare Arts & Aesthetics. Dr. Angelina is a triple board-certified cosmetic surgeon and one of the leading experts in thigh lift surgery in the nation. She will listen to your concerns and answer your questions, and together you will develop a plan tailored to suit your needs and circumstances that will help you attain shapely, smooth, naturally contoured thighs and the results you are looking for. Set up a time to speak to a leading expert on thighplasty today.
