If you’ve lost a significant amount of weight, you might notice excess skin on your thighs. This is a common issue among weight loss patients, and it can also happen to those who simply have a genetic predisposition of poor skin elasticity and to those who have sagging due to the natural aging process.
Unfortunately, excess thigh skin can cause discomfort when wearing certain clothes or engaging in physical activities. It can also be a point of embarrassment that patients desperately want to get rid of so that they can feel more confident about themselves, inside and out.
A thigh lift is an effective way to remove loose skin and create firmer thighs. However, traditional thigh lifts can leave visible scars, leading many patients to wonder if a scarless thigh lift is possible. To answer that, let’s first look at what a traditional thigh lift involves.
What Is a Thigh Lift (Surgical)?
A surgical thigh lift is a plastic surgery procedure designed to remove excess skin and fat from the upper thighs. This treatment is often performed on patients who have experienced significant weight loss or have sagging skin due to aging. The procedure aims to improve the shape and texture of the thighs, resulting in a more contoured and youthful appearance.
Who Is a Good Candidate for a Surgical Thigh Lift?
Candidates for this procedure typically have good skin elasticity in other areas of their body but struggle with loose skin or stubborn fat on their thighs. Patients must also be in good general health and be non-smokers. It’s best if they are at or near a healthy goal weight.
The surgery is performed under general anesthesia and involves making incisions along the inner thighs. A cosmetic surgeon will remove excess fat and tightens the underlying tissue before closing the incisions.
While this creates noticeable improvements, it is invasive surgery. So, it does result in body contouring scars. Fortunately, they are usually placed strategically to be less visible, and the fat removal portion of surgery (liposuction) will not leave significant scarring.
Recovery from a traditional thigh lift involves wearing a compression garment to reduce swelling and support the treated area. Most patients need several weeks of downtime before resuming normal activities. While this procedure provides dramatic results, the extensive incisions and visible scars are considered drawbacks, which is why some prefer a surgery of the minimally invasive nature.
Are There Scarless Thigh Lifts?
Are There Scarless Thigh Lifts?Yes, there are procedures marketed as non surgical scarless thigh lift surgeries. The benefits of these procedures include the fact that they do not leave (noticeable) scars, and there is no need for general anesthesia or a lengthy recovery. The scarless thigh lift cost may also be less than that of a surgical lift.
Those non-surgical or minimally invasive treatments that focus on improving skin texture and tightness without requiring extensive incisions are options like Renuvion treatment or other skin tightening treatment options. Some use energy-based devices to stimulate collagen production.
With that said, these procedures are not effective for patients with significant excess skin. Take a look at some scarless thigh lift before and after photos, and you’ll see that non-surgical scarless thigh lifts cannot achieve the dramatic reshaping possible with traditional surgery. For patients with considerable weight loss or advanced skin laxity, a traditional thigh lift or a minimally invasive alternative is usually the better choice.
Minimally Invasive Thigh Lifts
A minimally invasive thigh lift combines aspects of both traditional surgery and non-surgical options. This approach involves making smaller incisions, often hidden in the groin area, to minimize scarring. The surgeon removes fat and tightens the underlying tissue through these smaller incisions, reducing the appearance of sagging skin.
This technique is effective for improving the upper thighs but may not address loose skin along the entire length of the thighs. Over time, scars from this procedure can sometimes migrate, making them more noticeable. Additionally, the results may not be as dramatic as those from a full traditional thigh lift. Many patients prefer this option because it balances noticeable improvements with minimal scarring.
What Type of Thigh Lift Should I Get?
The best way to determine the right thigh lift for you is to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Matthew Schulman. During your consultation, Dr. Schulman will evaluate your skin elasticity, the amount of excess fat or sagging skin you have, and your overall health.
Whether it’s a traditional thigh lift, a minimally invasive approach, or a non-surgical option, the right procedure depends on your unique needs.
FAQs: Thigh Lift Surgery
Can a thigh lift remove cellulite?
While a thigh lift can improve skin texture and sagging skin, it is not specifically designed to address cellulite.
How long does recovery take after a thigh lift?
Recovery time varies, but most patients can return to light activities within two weeks. Strenuous activities should be avoided for at least six weeks or longer.
Are results from a scarless thigh lift permanent?
Are results from a scarless thigh lift permanent?Results from non-surgical treatments are not typically permanent. Maintenance treatments may be required to sustain improvements.
Will I have visible scars after a thigh lift?
Traditional thigh lifts result in visible scars, though they are strategically placed to be as invisible as possible.
Schedule a Consultation
Learn more about your thigh lift options by contacting our office and scheduling a personal consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Matthew Schulman. We look forward to hearing from you!
