Do you live in Fort Lauderdale or Broward County and wish that your thighs appeared tighter or more toned? Excess skin hanging from the thighs is a common complaint. Thigh lift surgery by double board-certified plastic surgeon Nathan Eberle, M.D., D.D.S., F.A.C.S. of the Weston Center for Plastic Surgery corrects this issue by removing excess skin and fat, leaving patients with thighs that appear younger-looking and more toned.

WHAT IS A THIGH LIFT?

A thigh lift is a surgical procedure that tightens loose sagging skin around the inner and outer thighs and creates a streamlined lower body contour. A thigh lift is very popular among patients who have undergone weight loss surgery or lost a significant amount of weight and are left with excess sagging skin that does not adhere to the underlying muscle. Thigh lift surgery is also sometimes called thigh gap surgery, as it creates a separation between the two thighs.

BENEFITS OF A THIGH LIFT

For patients who have achieved a healthy weight but who still face the embarrassment of the sagging, excess folds of skin left over after weight loss, thigh lift surgery can restore a toned and trim appearance, making one appear more youthful and healthy. For many people, the rubbing of the fatty flesh between the thighs produces constant irritation. Creating a space between the two thighs by way of the thigh gap surgery may conveniently eliminate this irritation.

IS A THIGH LIFT RIGHT FOR ME?

Most patients undergoing thigh lift surgery find that their inner thigh skin has begun to droop as a result of weight loss or the natural aging process. Most patients who could benefit from this surgery are able to pinch excess folds of skin between their fingers. If you have excess skin or fat hanging from your thighs and wish your legs looked smoother, thigh lift surgery may be right for you. Good candidates are at or near a healthy weight and are in good overall health.

HOW INVOLVED IS THE THIGH LIFT PROCEDURE?

Thigh lift surgery, also known as “thighplasty” or “thigh gap”, can be tailored to each patient’s unique needs. Some surgeries focus only on excess skin hanging from the inner thigh, while others focus on fat deposits in the outer thigh. Many involve the trimming of excess skin, while others use liposuction to rid the thighs of excess fat.

Thigh lift surgery requires general anesthesia and usually takes about two to three hours. First, incisions are made in the crease of the groin, sometimes extending outwards to enable the doctor to access additional tissues. Occasionally, incisions need to go down the inner thigh to the knee.

HOW LONG IS THE RECOVERY AFTER A THIGH LIFT?

Following a thigh lift, patients usually take a week to 10 days off from work. Heavy lifting and crouching down should be avoided for at least six weeks. You might find sitting down to be uncomfortable at first. A compression garment must be worn to support the tissues in their new contours as they heal. During the recovery process, tenderness, soreness, swelling, and bruising are common.

HOW MUCH DOES A THIGH LIFT COST?

The cost of a thigh lift varies, with procedures focusing on either the inner or outer thigh tending to be less expensive than those procedures treating the entire thigh area. Financing is available.

WHAT SHOULD I DO NEXT?

Men and women in the Fort Lauderdale and Broward County area who wish their thighs appeared smoother and more toned may be good candidates for thigh lift surgery. To learn more, contact double board-certified plastic surgeon Nathan Eberle, M.D., D.D.S., F.A.C.S. at the Weston Center for Plastic Surgery today for your consultation.