Thigh Lift FAQs: What Should You Expect?

A thigh lift is a cosmetic procedure used to tighten and enhance the appearance of the thighs. Significant weight loss, pregnancy, aging and lifestyle choices can all cause your thighs to look dimpled and sagging. At the office of Mark P. Solomon in Beverly Hills, CA, we understand how important your upper legs are to your self-confidence and want to tell you everything you need to know about this procedure.

13 FAQs About a Thigh Lift Answered

1. What Can I Expect During a Thigh Lift?

What to expect during thighplasty depends on what part of your leg you are targeting. An inner thighplasty targets only the skin in the lower part of your inner thigh. A medial thigh lift targets both the skin and fat on the upper portion of the inner thigh. Finally, a bilateral thigh lift addresses sagging or excess skin on the front and outside of the thigh.

Thighplasty is performed on an outpatient basis with an epidural or general anesthesia to keep you comfortable during the procedure. The incision pattern used depends on what part of the leg you are targeting. However, in most cases, you can expect for an incision to be made in the groin area. Once all excess skin and fat are removed, the underlying tissue is re-contoured and tightened. The remaining skin is lifted, smoothed and sutured into place at the point of incision. This procedure usually takes only two to three hours.

2. What Results Can I Expect Immediately After Thighplasty?

If you experience temporary swelling after your procedure, the results will not be immediately visible. However, any swelling will go down within 24 to 72 hours if you take arnica supplements. At this point, you will be able to enjoy smoother, slimmer, more youthful thighs which will be better proportioned to the rest of your lower body contours. However, it may be six to 12 months before you see the final results of the procedure.

3. What Can I Expect Over the Next Few Weeks?

Until you receive clearance, you will not be able to use a hot tub, take a bath or swim during your post-op recovery period. You will be able to shower 48 hours post-op. We encourage you to expect taking two weeks off of work to rest after your procedure. Most clients who work an office job can return to work within seven to 10 days post-op. Clients who work a job that requires a lot of movement can return to work between four and six weeks post-op.

4. Am I a Good Candidate for This Procedure?

If you are concerned about excess skin or fat around your thighs, there is a good chance you are a candidate. However, while this procedure is incredibly safe, not everyone is an ideal candidate. You may not be a good candidate for thighplasty if your skin is likely to develop keloid scars, if you have unmanaged type 1 diabetes or if your heart and lungs aren’t healthy enough for you to be put under general anesthesia.

During your initial consultation, Dr. Mark P. Solomon will review your medical history, assess your health and consider your current and ideal aesthetic to decide if you qualify for this procedure.

5. Can I Smoke After the Procedure?

To be a good candidate for this procedure, it is crucial that you be able to go 12 weeks without consuming nicotine. You will need to avoid all forms of nicotine for the last six weeks pre-op to ensure the procedure is performed safely. During the first six weeks post-op, you will need to avoid consuming any form of nicotine to ensure your recovery is as quick and smooth as possible.

If you are a smoker, we strongly recommend that you do not start smoking again once you have recovered from your procedure. Nicotine elevates your blood pressure, which means your skin may not get all the nutrients it needs to stay taut, firm, youthful and beautiful. Moreover, smoking is a huge contributor to premature age spots and sagging skin.

6. How Long Will the Results Last?

Several factors affect how long the results of your thighplasty will last. If you maintain your weight, the results of the fat removal will last a lifetime. However, if you gain more than 10 pounds, there is a decent chance that the remaining fat cells in your thighs will expand and partially negate the results of your procedure.

On average, you can expect the skin lifting results of the procedure to last between 10 and 15 years. However, if you gain more than 30 pounds and lose the weight again, you may find that you have excess or loose, sagging skin to cope with before 15 years has passed. Finally, the results of tissue sculpting should last a lifetime as long as you don’t let your quadriceps and hamstrings atrophy.

7. How Can I Prepare for My Procedure?

To prepare for your procedure, you will first come in for an initial consultation with Dr. Mark P. Solomon. After reviewing your medical history and evaluating the results of a medical evaluation, he will decide if this procedure is a good fit for you. If it is, you will be given a comprehensive list of everything you need to do in preparation of your procedure.

Many of our clients take medications or supplements that can thin the blood, like vitamin E or over-the-counter NSAIDs. If this applies to you, ask your physician if it is safe to discontinue taking these medications in the two weeks leading up to your procedure.

8. What Else Should I Do Before the Procedure?

While it’s important to not do certain things in the weeks leading up to your procedure, it is just as important to make sure you do certain things. Arrange for a loved one to drive you to and from your procedure. If you go under general anesthesia, you will not be able to drive for 24 hours. You should also exercise regularly and maintain your body weight prior to your thighplasty. This will make recovery quicker and easier and ensure long-lasting results.

You must also ensure you remain adequately hydrated. Drink at least half a gallon of water daily and try to incorporate water-rich foods in your diet, too. Creating a habit of adequate hydration will make staying hydrated post-op a lot easier. The more hydrated you are, the faster and more comfortable your recovery process will be. Also, make sure you are eating plenty of lean protein in the two weeks leading up to your procedure.

9. Will I Need a Caregiver During Recovery?

It is advisable to have someone stay with you for at least the first 24 hours post-op. You may find it helpful to have someone remind you to take your medication, ensure that your children and pets are taken care of and help you with anything else you may need.

To make the recovery process easier on everyone, we strongly recommend that you prep, cook and freeze several meals to eat during recovery. This way, nobody has to worry about cooking and cleaning every single night. These meals should be well-balanced and focus heavily on lean protein and soluble fiber. Meals that freeze and reheat very well include lentil soup, split pea soup and quinoa-stuffed bell peppers. If you’re not sure how to get the right nutrition out of your post-op meals, ask a registered dietician for help creating a meal plan for your recovery.

10. What Do I Need in My Recovery Room?

To make your recovery process as smooth as possible, you should prepare a room in your home for your recovery. Many clients find that their bedroom makes the ideal recovery room as it connects to their bathroom. Others prefer their living room. Wherever you feel most comfortable in your home, make sure you have plenty of easy-to-drink water nearby. Opt for water bottles that you can drink from without unscrewing the top. Also, ensure that you have all the medications you will need, such as analgesics, NSAIDs and antibiotics, easily accessible.

Many clients find they prefer to not watch television because they are too drowsy on the day of their procedure. We recommend keeping a tablet or e-reader with you connected to a portable charger. This allows you to choose from an entire library of your favorite books without having to get up, and you also won’t have to worry about any cables getting tangled in blankets.

11. What Should I Do the Night Before My Procedure?

You may not eat or drink anything within eight hours of your thighplasty. Having anything in your stomach may affect the anesthesia. We recommend not eating or drinking anything after midnight. To make the day of your procedure as stress-free as possible, lay out loose-fitting clothes that are easy to remove for you to wear in the morning. Finally, you should go to bed early and sleep well knowing that tomorrow you will be taking a massive step forward in achieving your ideal aesthetic.

12. Can I Have a Brazilian Butt Lift Performed Simultaneously?

You can also have a Brazilian butt lift performed at the same time as a thighplasty. The phrase “Brazilian butt lift” is a bit of a misnomer because it doesn’t act as a traditional butt lift. It does tighten loose skin on the buttocks, however, it primarily functions to augment the buttocks with fat injections from another part of your body, such as your abdomen.

A Brazilian butt lift is an ideal alternative to traditional butt augmentation in that it uses your body’s own fat rather than a synthetic implant. Not only does it look and feel more natural, but you can remove fat from a part of your body that you’re struggling to lose weight from. When combined with thighplasty, you can improve the contours of your buttocks, thighs and hips, arms, back or abdomen all on the same day.

13. How Exactly Does a Brazilian Butt Lift Work?

There are essentially three steps to a Brazilian butt lift. First, excess fat is removed from a trouble area, such as the inner or outer thighs, upper or lower abdomen, lower back or hips. Then, a portion of the extracted fat is purified. Next, the whole, undamaged fat cells are prepared for transfer. Finally, Dr. Mark P. Solomon injects the harvested fat into specific points on the buttocks to improve shape and increase volume.

Learn More About Thighplasty Today

If you have any more questions about a thigh lift, we are more than happy to answer them. To learn more, contact us at the office of Mark P. Solomon in Beverly Hills, CA today to schedule your initial consultation. We can’t wait to meet you and help you achieve the aesthetic you have always wanted.