Question
Will a thigh lift get rid of sagging skin left after weight loss?
I lost a lot of weight about a year ago, and I am still at my ideal weight but my skin hasn't "bounced back" since I lost the weight. The worst area is in my thigh and buttock region. Will a thigh lift work to get rid of saggy skin leftover from when I was bigger?
Asked by: Gwen from Santa Barbara, CA
Answers (2)
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1
October 4, 2008
Body contouring surgery
There are many operations out there with names that can be confusing. Some names are surgically descriptive, and others are open to interpretation. Here are some terms to help:
Abdominoplasty / tummy tuck - leaves a scar across the front of your body, and tightens the skin on the front (as well as the muscles)
Thigh lift - there are several versions:
- Lateral thigh lift - the scar is typically located where your palms are when you grab your hips with your elbows pointing outward. It tightens the skin on the outside of your thighs.
- Inner thigh lift - Scar inside the groin crease, improving the skin on your inner thighs
Buttock lift - Scar runs across your back, at the junction between back skin and the buttocks. It lifts the buttocks.
An Extended abdominoplasty is really a combination of a standard abdominoplasty and a Lateral thigh lift.
A Body lift or Circumferential abdominoplasty (or Belt lipectomy) results in a scar that goes all the way around the waist, and is effectively a combination of an abdominoplasty, lateral thigh lift, and buttock lift.
This is a bit of a simplification of the operations, as there are specific nuances to refine the results, but it should help understand what you are asking for. My advice is to seek consultation with an experienced surgeon, point to the areas that you want addressed, and hear what they suggest.
2
May 27, 2008
In general, a thigh lift will improve the appearance of a thigh after weight loss.
There are various procedures aimed at removing excess skin of the thighs.
An appropriate consultation will be required to determine where the excess is located and the best method to help the situation. Also, the consultation should provide some information as to how much excess can be removed.
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Check out more Q+A about Lower body lift
Is a lower body lift the same thing as a body lift?
Answered by Gary M. Brownstein, MD, Cherry Hill Plastic Surgeon
Read all 1 answers
10/4/08
The recovery for a thigh lift is very similar to that of an arm lift, but with slower healing. It will typically take two weeks before you can go back to work and three weeks before the swelling really starts to subside. You may find it uncomfortable to sit or lay on your back for awhile. When you do heal, there will be scars, but they are usually easily hidden by swimsuit lines or underwear lines.