Thigh Lift in Indianapolis & Carmel, IN

We used to believe that the “saddlebags” seen in the lower hip area of women were abnormal accumulations of fat. We now know that those fatty projections represent tissues which have fallen from their original position in the lateral buttocks. In fact, one can pull up on the hips hard enough that the saddlebag will return to its original position.

This is the reason liposuction of saddlebags may be fairly disappointing for those individuals with aged or inelastic skin. Liposuction alone depends on very youthful, elastic skin to “snap back” to its new position after fat removal. For the rest of us who may no longer have youthful skin, a lateral thigh lift may be of great benefit. An incision from the top of the vertical buttocks crease toward the side of the hip can lift the buttocks and lateral thighs. This can be done along with liposuction if there are fatty areas. If the problem is mostly extra or loose skin, especially noted after weight loss, the thigh lift can tighten the skin and restore a youthful contour.

Sometimes a lateral thigh lift is done at the same time as a tummy tuck. This combination is called a body lift. It is commonly done in those individuals who have lost a significant amount of weight.

This operation is used to address the laxity of the upper/inner thigh. Many women point to that area and complain of rubbing or fullness that makes clothing uncomfortable. Again, in a youthful person, liposuction alone may suffice to reduce the volume of the upper/inner thigh. For middle-aged patients and those who have lost weight, a medial thigh lift may be a better option.

This is an operation which removes a crescent of skin and fat from the upper/inner thigh and leaves the scar in the groin fold between the leg and the genitalia. Its main advantage is a very concealable scar. Its main disadvantage is that it is limited in amount and extent. Trying to remove more than three or four inches of excess skin will place too much tension on the closure, and over time can result in the scar and even some pubis hair-bearing skin descending down, out of the groin fold and onto the thigh. For this reason, a careful preoperative evaluation by the surgeon and good communication of possibilities versus expectations are important.

This is a more dramatic, and extensive inner thigh operation than the groin crease medial thigh lift. This procedure is not really a lift, but a tightening along an incision from the depths of the groin near the genitalia, all the way down to the fatty tissues on the inner aspect of the knee. Tightening occurs all the way down the thigh. It is just as effective two-thirds of the way down the thigh as it is in the upper thigh. While the groin crease thigh lift helps just the upper one-third, this operation affects the entire thigh. The incision is a long one and considering that both legs are done at the same time, the average patient will have nearly three feet of incision to heal. This is the main drawback of the inseam operation; healing time is longer. However, the benefit is much more dramatic. It is of special benefit to those people who have lost a great deal of weight. The downtime, or healing time, is comparable to that of a tummy tuck. Both operations share one thing: a dramatic result that cannot be achieved by lesser operations.

Thigh lift surgery is often best suited for patients experiencing excess skin laxity or tissue of the thighs that cannot be improved through diet and exercise alone. Many candidates are near a stable goal weight and are seeking improved lower body contour following weight loss or changes in skin elasticity.

During consultation, your surgeon will carefully evaluate your anatomy, skin quality, and goals to determine whether thigh lift surgery may be appropriate for your body contouring needs.

After the thigh lift procedure, the thighs will be bandaged. Small tubes may be inserted to drain post-procedure fluids. Prescriptions will be given along with aftercare instructions to help with the healing process. Patients may need to be driven home afterwards.

Bruising and swelling will be experienced but will fade. The patient will have at least a week of recovery before they can consider doing regular leg movement. The patient can return to doing regular activities involving the thighs after four to six months.