Thigh Lift Fairfax

Thighplasty, or thigh surgery, can lift your body confidence with firmer, shapelier thighs

A thigh lift reshapes the contour and appearance of the inner thighs and can tighten the outer thighs in a subtle manner. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Christopher L. Hess expertly conducts this surgery to tighten the skin and, if necessary, remove some fat deposits with liposuction, resulting in smoother skin and a better-proportioned body shape.

Table of Contents

• What is a thigh lift procedure?
• Who should consider thigh lift surgery?
• What to expect after a thigh lift
• Enhancing your thighplasty with other treatments

Thigh Lift Procedure

A thigh lift surgery is technically one of two procedures, an inner thigh lift or an outer thigh lift. These can be performed in conjunction, though each is distinct.

Inner Thigh Lifts

An inner thigh lift (or medial thigh lift) is typically composed of several discreet incisions. Skin is then lifted and removed from the thigh as needed, to make the skin taut against the muscle, generally also removing some fat and tissue deposits in the process.

Outer Thigh Lifts

An outer thigh lift (or lateral thigh lift) is often performed in conjunction with a buttock lift, as sagging on the outer thigh is often connected to that region. A thigh lift may occasionally be paired with minor liposuction, depending on the case.

Who should consider thigh lift surgery?

Thigh lift surgery may be an option for both men and women who desire to firmer, shaplier thighs. If you meet one or more of the following conditions, you might be a good candidate for thighplasty:

• Thighs are out of proportion, sagging, or refusing to shrink via traditional weight loss methods using exercise or diet
• Substantial weight loss has resulted in permanent loose skin around inner and/or outer thighs
• You have excess fat on your thighs to due to pregnancy

Thigh lift surgery is a common part of plastic surgery for post-weight loss patients—those who have achieved a significant weight reduction and now experience problems with excess skin around the body.

It’s also important as a potential patient that you are in relatively good health, do not have any serious medical conditions, and have realistic goals for your surgical results.

What to Expect After Thigh Lift Surgery

Thigh lift recovery is generally 1-2 weeks, though this may be longer if combined with other procedures. Dr. Hess will prescribe medication to help you manage pain or discomfort during recovery. Because thigh lift surgery involves a long incision, a permanent scar will remain after surgery. However, this scar will be placed in an area that can be hidden as much as possible beneath clothing or swimsuits, and will fade with time.

Once recovered, your thighs will be firmer and have the appearance of being more toned, which will make your body more aesthetically pleasing overall while also positively impacting your quality of life after. Maintaining exercise and diet will help shape your thighs further, working in conjunction with the surgery towards a more satisfactory shape.

Enhancing Your Thighplasty with Other Treatments

During your personal consultation, Dr. Hess may recommend a complementary procedure depending on your goals and unique body type. Some of the most common body contouring procedures to pair with a thigh lift are:

• Tummy Tuck
• Liposuction
• Mommy Makeover
• Arm Lift

Read more about pairing these procedures below.

Tummy Tuck

A tummy tuck, also called abdominoplasty, can provide a smoother, more toned appearance to your abdomen. During surgery, Dr. Hess removes excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen in order to tighten weakened or separated muscles, creating a smoother and firmer tummy. A combination of abdominoplasty and liposuction of the “flanks” can help to tighten the lateral thighs.

Liposuction

Liposuction is ideal for sculpting or slimming down specific areas of a person’s body. While not a weight loss technique, liposuction is still very effective at removing pockets of fat that can persist in certain areas of the body. Your surgeon may typically perform liposuction during thigh surgery to enhance your thigh contours even more.

Mommy Makeover

New moms often share concerns about their changed bodies, facing stubborn fat, loose skin, a protruding tummy, and more. In these cases, when a patient is motivated to improve her body shape after pregnancy, Dr. Hess may recommend a series of procedures commonly called a “mommy makeover.” If your thighs have been particularly affected by your pregnancy or weight loss post-pregnancy, then these surgical procedures may be performed together.

Arm Lift

An arm lift, also called brachioplasty, is a surgical procedure intended to reduce the size of the upper arms and remove undesired excess skin. For those that have experienced significant weight loss, treatment of both the arms and thighs may result in more refined and proportional contours of the body.

Thigh Lift Surgery in Fairfax, VA

If you are bothered by sagging, excess tissue on your thighs, contact us at Hess Plastic Surgery in Fairfax to schedule your consultation. Fairfax plastic surgeon Dr. Christopher L. Hess has been named as one of the best plastic surgeons by Northern Virginia magazine. He will happily meet with you one-on-one to discuss your goals and concerns and help you decide whether thigh lift surgery is right for you.