Thighplasty
The inner surface of the thighs is covered by a relatively thin dermis and epidermis, while under them there is a relatively weak superficial fascia. In women, fat is deposited in the area, unlike men who have other fat stores.
As a
result of the chronic action of gravity, sudden weight loss, frequent
fluctuations in body weight, smoking but mainly abstinence from exercise, the
skin on the inner surface of the thighs becomes loose. The youthful contour of
the legs is lost and women begin to look for ways to restore the firmness and
line of their legs. As long as shapely legs are desired and there is severe
laxity on the inner surface of the thighs, the answer is inner thigh plastic or
thigh lift. Outer thighplasty is a less frequent, but equally important
operation, which provides a solution to severe lipodystrophy in the trochanter
area and is performed when there is significant excess skin after liposuction
on the outer thighs. External femuroplasty belongs to bariplastic surgery
operations.
WHAT CAN BE DONE?
Excess skin, the presence of stretch marks and the presence of small-medium lipodystrophy on the medial surface of the thigh can only be treated surgically and the surgery is called a thigh lift or medial thigh lift. The purpose of the surgery is to sculpt a slimmer and tighter lower limb. There are three main types of medial thighplasty, horizontal when there is a small excess skin only on the vertical axis of the thigh, vertical, in which the excess skin is on the horizontal axis, and their combination, in which there is excess on both axes. The operation is always combined with liposuction of the entire thigh, while liposuction is only recommended for patients with little sagging and enough subcutaneous fat. In cases where patients have a large amount of fat deposited in the area of the trochanters (lipodystrophy), liposuction alone cannot provide a solution and must be combined with skin removal on the vertical axis of the outer surface of the thigh. This surgery is called external femuroplasty. The doctor will explain which technique is indicated for you based on your history and clinical examination.
HORIZONTAL INTERNAL THIGHPLASTY?
Horizontal
medial thighoplasty is usually recommended for patients who have minor laxity,
which is corrected by pulling the skin up, on the vertical axis of the thigh.
The operation leaves an incision, which starts from the inguinal groove
continues to the perineum and ends at the point where the gluteal groove begins
behind. The scars are not visible from the swimsuit, but the issue of
post-operative scars should be thoroughly discussed with the patient before the
operation.
VERTICAL INTERNAL THIPLASTY?
VERTICAL & HORIZONTAL INTERNAL THIGHPLASTY?
The
combination of the two previous operations straightens and tightens the inner
surface of the thighs in patients with large body weight loss and significant
sagging. The removal of excess skin is done along both axes and is carried out
simultaneously with liposuction. As a result, patients have one horizontal and
one vertical incision. The topic of postoperative scars should be thoroughly
discussed with patients. The vast majority of patients, however, significantly
improve their self-confidence and sociability, and hardly mention the scars.
WHO IS A THIGH LIFT FOR?
Candidates
for breast augmentation are adult patients with the aforementioned characteristics,
who have stabilized their body weight, have obtained a normal BMI (body mass
index) and have no other serious health problems.
WHAT IS THE TYPE OF ANESTHESIA?
Thighoplasty
is performed under general anesthesia in an organized clinic. The duration of
the surgery is from 2 to 4 hours. After surgery, it is advisable to stay in the
clinic for a few hours and immediately mobilize the patients.
WHAT WILL THE SCARS BE LIKE AFTER THIGH SURGERY?
The
type of scars depends on the surgery that will be chosen. If a horizontal thigh
lift is performed there will be an incision hidden in the natural fold formed
between the thigh and the torso. In vertical femuroplasty, the incision is
longitudinal, parallel to the femur, several centimeters long and hidden on the
medial surface of the thigh. The combination of vertical and horizontal
tympanoplasty leaves an approximately T-shaped incision. Finally, in the outer
thigh lift there is an incision on the outer surface of the thigh from the
underwear line to the middle of the thigh. For the first 8 months the scars are
visible, then they discolour, shrink and become less pronounced. Scars are
covered by clothes in winter and summer with special body makeup. For the
majority of women, however, even with external thigh surgery, the scars are
negligible compared to the improvement in their body contours. You will be
given instructions immediately after surgery to avoid misshapen or hypertrophic
scars, and you will be put on a follow-up program if you have a history of keloids.
HOW LONG WILL THE RESULTS LAST?
The
results are almost permanent and will remain stable as long as patients do not
gain weight and maintain a moderate level of exercise. Scars will be visible
for the first 8 months, after which they fade and sag.
WHAT ARE THE LIMITATIONS OF THIGHPLASTY?
In a
medial thighplasty, the skin of the back and medial surface of the thigh is
removed, along with old stretch marks. Surgery will not correct the quality of
the skin that will be left, and patients should be aware that some stretch
marks and thinning of the skin will remain after surgery, but will be less
noticeable because the skin that is preserved is stretched. Both medial and
external breast augmentation do not lift the buttocks.
One of
the most serious limitations of the thigh plastic surgery is the existence of
old deformed scars and keloids in other parts of the body, because the
possibility of creating hypertrophic scars on the thighs is great. Also,
patients with serious health problems, with delayed healing, who cannot receive
general anesthesia or those with a dysmorphic syndrome should be prevented from
cosmetic surgeries.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF THIGHPLASTY?
The doctor will assess your general condition and your history and, if she decides that you are suitable for surgery, she will inform you about the possible complications and what needs to be done to reduce the possibility of their occurrence. You will also be asked to stop smoking and refrain from using supplements that affect blood clotting. The anesthesiologist will then talk to you about the type of anesthesia you will receive and the possible complications.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO BEFORE SURGERY?
Depending
on your age, you will be given instructions on the medications you may be
taking and should be stopped or replaced, as well as on the additional testing
you may need to do based on your history. Your weight should remain stable at
the lowest levels, because possible fluctuations may delay the surgery, and you
will be asked to gently exercise the muscles of the lower limb 2-3 months
before the surgery.
The
doctor will explain the value of smoking cessation and proper nutrition in
wound healing. One week before the surgery, measurements will be taken to order
a special pressure garment, you will be photographed and the consent form will
be signed.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO AFTER THE OPERATION?
You
stay at the clinic for a few hours, but your time away from work must have been
calculated at 2 weeks. This doesn't mean you won't be able to do light work
much sooner, but you'll generally feel overwhelmed. It is also recommended to
refrain from sports for 1 month.
WHAT IS THE COST OF THIGHPLASTY?
The
cost of thigh plastic surgery is calculated by adding the cost of the clinic,
in which the patient is operated and treated, the fee of the Plastic Surgeon
and the Anesthesiologist. The purchase of the special pressure garment must be
included in the costs.
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