Thighplasty
Conveniently located to serve the areas of Pittsburgh, PA
Thighplasty, also known as a thigh lift, is a surgical procedure designed to improve and contour the thighs. This treatment focuses on tightening loose skin from the inner and outer thighs. Many people seek thighplasty to enhance their body shape and boost their self-confidence. Whether it is due to weight loss, aging, or genetics, excess skin and fat in the thigh area can affect one’s overall appearance. Thighplasty treatments may also reduce the appearance of cellulite, leaving smoother, tighter skin that boosts personal confidence.
Dr. Anna Wooten is one of Pennsylvania’s leading plastic surgeons, and Beleza Plastic Surgery is trusted throughout the state for providing exceptional results without complications. If you would like to restore the appearance of your thighs, take the first step by scheduling a consultation with Dr. Wooten to plan your treatment.
If you have any questions, please feel free to call either our Sewickley or Pittsburgh offices at (724) 759-7777 or (412) 877-9388, respectively.
Contents
Before and After Photos
About Thighplasty
Thighplasty is a popular procedure that helps individuals achieve smoother and more toned-looking thighs. The thighs are made up of muscles, fat tissues, and skin. Over time, factors such as significant weight fluctuations, genetic predispositions, and the natural aging process can lead to loose, sagging skin in this area. When the skin loses its elasticity, it may not regain its original shape after weight loss, resulting in an uneven, bulging, or drooping appearance. (1)
Many patients consider thighplasty after experiencing dramatic weight loss. The procedure targets stubborn areas where fat is often resistant to diet and exercise. With advancements in surgical techniques, thighplasty offers a more defined silhouette, allowing patients to feel more comfortable and confident in their skin. By removing excess skin and fat from the thighs, patients enjoy firmer, more toned-looking thighs. The removal of excess tissues also helps to facilitate easier movement, improve comfort, and more. (1) Each procedure performed by Dr. Wooten is customized to meet your individual needs, so you can expect to drastically enhance your appearance, self-esteem, and comfort with a tailored thighplasty.
Benefits
By tailoring each patient’s thighplasty treatment plan to their unique needs, we help them experience:
- Improved leg contour: A thigh lift helps create a smoother and more defined thigh shape, promoting enhanced aesthetics.
- Excess skin removal: Thighplasty effectively eliminates loose and sagging skin, leading to a tighter and younger-looking thigh area.
- Enhanced self-confidence: Many patients experience boosted self-esteem following the procedure, feeling more confident in their appearance and clothing choices.
- Long-lasting results: When coupled with a healthy lifestyle, the results of thighplasty can be long-lasting, offering profound improvements over time.
- Improved mobility: The removal of excess skin may alleviate discomfort caused by chafing, thus improving day-to-day activities.
Candidates
Ideal candidates for thighplasty include men and women who experience:
- Moderate to severe skin sagging in the thighs
- Excess skin and unwanted fat deposits
- Discomfort in clothing or during physical activities due to excess tissue
To qualify for surgery, you must be in good overall health and have realistic expectations regarding the outcome. Patients should also not use any form of nicotine and be willing to follow Dr. Wooten’s detailed preparation instructions.
Personal Consultation
A personal consultation is a crucial step for anyone considering thighplasty. During your visit to either our Sewickley or Pittsburgh office, Dr. Wooten will review your medical history and discuss your aesthetic concerns. She will carefully examine the skin, muscle tone, and medical history for any underlying factors contributing to your thigh’s appearance. This evaluation will help determine if you are a suitable candidate for the procedure and which surgical options may be most appropriate for your unique needs. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss your desired outcomes in detail. Our goal is to create a personalized treatment plan that meets your expectations and maximizes your results.
Preparation
Once you decide to proceed with thighplasty, you will receive detailed pre and post-operative instructions. Following these guidelines diligently is essential to ensuring a successful procedure and an efficient recovery time. These will vary for each patient, but some basic preparations include:
- Stopping blood-thinning medications and supplements as directed by Dr. Wooten
- Avoiding all forms of nicotine before and after surgery
- Coordinating for someone to drive you home after the procedure and remain with you for at least 24 hours postoperatively.
- Ensuring adequate time off of work and daily activities to facilitate proper healing
- Fill prescriptions for required medications in advance
Procedure
During the thighplasty procedure, general anesthesia will be administered to ensure your comfort. Thighplasty will target either the inside of the thigh (medial thighplasty or medial thigh lift) or the outside of the thigh (lateral thighplasty or lateral thigh lift). These procedures can be performed simultaneously to enhance a patient’s body-sculpting results. (2) Once anesthesia is administered, Dr. Wooten will make incisions into your thighs. In a medial thighplasty, these incisions are made in the groin area and may extend downwards towards the knees, varying depending on the scale of the procedure.
If your procedure requires liposuction, then Dr. Wooten will inject a tumescent solution. This fluid is a mixture of lidocaine, epinephrine, and saline, and works to loosen fat, numb tissue, and constrict blood vessels. She will then insert a thin metal rod known as a cannula. This is the main instrument used for liposuction, and she will carefully break down fat and vacuum it out.
Dr. Wooten takes great care in redraping the skin to create a natural and flattering contour. Once all adjustments are made, the incisions will be closed and carefully dressed. Overall, the procedure typically lasts two to four hours, but this can change depending on the complexity of your case. (2)
Recovery
When patients wake up in the recovery room, they will already be fitted with a compression garment and foam padding to protect their incisions. Dr. Wooten and her physician assistant ask that patients use the garments and foam for up to 6 weeks postoperatively to minimize swelling, ensure pleasing healing of the repositioned skin, and optimize patient comfort as they reintroduce physical activities into their routine after surgery. Recovery after thighplasty is an important phase that varies from person to person. Patients can generally expect some swelling and bruising in the treated areas during the initial days. Swelling and bruising will fade in a week (on average).
While light walks can help in your recovery, we recommend resting during the first few days after your procedure. While resting, please keep your legs elevated. Pain can be managed effectively with prescribed medications. You will have a few regular follow-up appointments with Dr. Wooten to monitor your healing progress. Most patients return to light activities at around two weeks but should avoid strenuous exercises for six weeks.
Results
Full results will become noticeable as the swelling subsides over several months, revealing smoother, more contoured thighs. Dr. Wooten’s patients regularly express satisfaction with their results once they completely heal. The confidence gained from tailored thighplasty results can resonate in other areas of life, significantly uplifting an individual’s overall well-being and comfort wearing clothing.
Corresponding & Complementary Procedures
Arm lifts are a body contouring procedure that targets the upper arm. Patients who have excess skin and fat on the arms or “bat wings” from loose skin can see sculpted, smoother, more attractive arms after this procedure.
Thighplasty treatments can also be incorporated along with tummy tuck procedures. If you would like to treat multiple areas of the body after weight loss, a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) can help you achieve more comprehensive rejuvenation with one surgery. While some surgeries should not be combined, Dr. Wooten may approve the combination of thighplasty and abdominoplasty in order to minimize a patient’s recovery time.
Cost of Thighplasty in Pittsburgh
The cost of thighplasty varies based on multiple factors, including the complexity of the case, the anesthesia utilized, and other factors. Following your consultation, you will receive a detailed cost estimate tailored to your treatment plan. Beleza Plastic Surgery also offers financing options for our procedures.
If you have any questions about payment, pricing, procedures, scheduling a consultation, or more, please contact either our Sewickley office at (724) 759-7777 or our Pittsburgh office at (412) 877-9388 and get the information you need.
FAQ
What are some common reasons for receiving thighplasty?
Many individuals choose thighplasty due to excess skin that causes chafing and disrupts the contour of the leg. Many patients have undergone significant weight loss or are simply looking to rejuvenate their figure.
How long does it take to recover from thighplasty?
While most patients can return to light activities within a couple of weeks, complete recovery may take several months, during which time optimal results become more apparent.
Does thighplasty leave scars?
Yes. Dr. Wooten aims to conceal incisions in less visible areas whenever possible to minimize scarring. At Beleza, surgeries that result in visible incision lines include comprehensive scar treatment plans to minimize the appearance of scars as they heal after surgery.
Can I combine thighplasty with other procedures?
Yes, many individuals opt for combination surgeries, such as tummy tucks or liposuction, to achieve comprehensive body contouring results.
References
- Hurwitz DJ. Thighplasty in the Weight Loss Patient. Seminars in Plastic Surgery. 2006;20(01):038-048. doi:https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2006-932448
- Gentile P, Gigliotti S, Colicchia G, et al. Medial thighplasty: Horizontal and vertical procedures after massive weight loss. Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery. 2012;5(1):20. doi:https://doi.org/10.4103/0974-2077.94330