Nobody likes to be thought of as being overweight, and for many women, the thigh area is often the first tell-tale marker that they are piling on the pounds. As thigh fat accumulates much more quicker in women than in men, having a big old pair of “thunder thighs” is all too common for members of the female persuasion.
A thigh lift operation is considered extreme surgery, and can take anywhere from two to four hours to perform under general anesthesia.
Until recently, the only thing that could be done to reduce our massive thighs was a healthy diet, coupled with lots of rigorous exercise. But these days, with so many of us looking for a quick fix to our beauty problems, there is another method to have sleek, slim things: a thigh lift, or thighplasty.
What is Thighplasty?
Let’s be brutally honest: thunder thighs are not thought of as being especially attractive in Western society. Most women with large thighs find they have accompanied cellulite, and that this dimpled, orange peel effect is shunned by all and sundry. Enormous thighs also can cause health problems, as they tend to rub together and can result in unpleasant and painful sores, blisters, embarrassment and distress.
Inner thigh fat is difficult to get rid of through diet and exercise, and excess skin is impossible to remove that way, which is why some women turn to the medical profession for help. A thighplasty is normally for women who have already lost the weight and want to get rid of the excess skin, or who are older and witnessing bothersome skin laxity – but not always. Sometimes it’s just to make thunder thighs a thing of the past.
This surgery works by removing excess, baggy skin from the thigh area to reveal and more sleek appearance – and if you want to lose the unwanted fat as well, some patients opt to do this at the same time through liposuction. The result: a smooth, contoured thigh that appears sleek and infinitely more younger and tighter.
A Thighplasty Journey
A thigh lift operation is considered extreme surgery, and can take anywhere from two to four hours to perform under general anesthesia. How it will be done will depend on the state of your thighs. In some cases, the thighs will be lifted by a series of short incisions extending from the crease in the thigh or groin around to the buttock crease.
In other cases an anterior or lateral thigh lift will be carried out, lifting the entire thigh and buttock in a more complicated procedure. Your surgeon will make longer incisions that can extend over the side of the abdomen, and, eventually, across the back.
Please be aware that a good surgeon will let you have some say in the procedure, either to accommodate how you will look in certain clothing or to make you satisfied with scar location. A butt lift can have either lower or higher scars, for example, depending on your desire.
The recovery period for a thighplasty is fairly intense. Some people leave the hospital the same day, but for larger thigh lifts a one or two-night hospital stay will be required. You will leave the hospital wearing a compression bandage, which will help the skin to shrink, and will have to refrain from heavy lifting for up to a month and a half. There will be considerable bruising and swelling at first, although this should subside in time. You can return to work about two weeks after the operation, sometimes sooner.
It’s interesting to know that some people take advantage of having surgery by deciding to go whole hog. They opt for a butt lift, tummy tuck, lipo and even breast implants at the same time, hoping to look radically different when they return home.
Obviously, how much you will pay for thigh surgery will depend on how much fat and skin you will need to have removed. Your best bet is to find a Board certified plastic surgeon who can talk you through the procedure and give you a pricing.
Costs will vary whether you opt for a inner thigh lift, outer thigh lift, or medial and bilateral thigh lift. In the latter an incision is made at the top of the thigh area, then fat and skin are removed before the skin is tightened; in the former incisions are made near the pubic area.
Be aware of hidden costs as well: while you may be quoted a specific price for the procedure, that may not include “extras” such as hospital fees and the cost of anesthesia. As this operation is largely cosmetic is is doubtful that insurance will pay, so you may also want to investigate financing options.
Better Self-Esteem
Thigh lifts are recommended for people who feel self-conscious about the way their thighs appear, to the point where they resist wearing swimming suits, shorts or other items of clothing that will reveal their thighs for what they truly are. If you are self-conscious about your own thunder thighs – or about sagging thighs due to massive weight loss or age - then a thighplasty may be for you.
If you do embark on this course, however, make sure you only use a Board-certified surgeon and that you look into the procedure in great depth beforehand. As with any surgery, especially procedures that involve general anesthesia, there is always the risk of infection, clotting etc. And you will also have to decide whether the scars will be worth your time, effort and expense.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care an appropriate health care provider.
If you are considering surgery, check out the following links to find specialists in your area:
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