Surgical Solutions for Sagging Thighs

 Learn more about the safety and efficacy of thigh lift surgery in treating excess fat and excess skin on the region of your thighs.

What are the Causes of Sagging Thighs?

Several factors can contribute to the development of sagging thighs, including:

  • Weight fluctuations: Being overweight or obese damages your collagen and elastin fibers. After a significant weight loss, you may notice that your skin loses its ability to snap back to its original position, resulting in loose skin.
  • Ageing: The age-related collagen loss causes your skin to become less elastic, which makes sagging more noticeable.
  • Pregnancy: Weight gain during pregnancy stretches your skin. As a result, your skin may sag or become loose after you gave birth.
  • Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS): This is rare, inherited connective tissue disorder that is characterised by impaired collagen production, resulting in sagging skin.

Take our Plastic Surgery Quiz to find out if you’d be a good candidate and if you are ready for cosmetic surgery.

Can a Thigh Lift help Sagging Thighs?

Some individuals may experience skin irritation or discomfort due to excess skin on the thighs. In such cases, a thigh lift may be considered as an option to help improve comfort . This surgical procedure removes excess skin and fat in your thighs, which may lead to an improvement in skin firmness and contour.. You might benefit from an inner thigh lift, a medial thigh lift or an outer thigh lift.

Are you a Candidate for Surgery for Sagging Thighs?

In general, ou may be considered a suitable candidate forthe procedure if:

  • You are bothered by the excess skin and fat on the inner, outer, or medial region of your thighs.
  • You are in good psychological health and have realistic expectations for the procedure.
  • You are willing to adhere to your surgeon’s instructions after the procedure.
  • You are willing to live a healthy lifestyle after the procedure.
  • You don’t have a history of clotting or bleeding disorders.
  • You don’t smoke.
  • You have a stable weight.
  • You have realistic expectations regarding the procedure.
  • You want to stay free from skin irritations caused by sagging skin on your thighs.

What are the Benefits of Thigh Surgery for Sagging Thighs?

The procedure can offer the following benefits:

  • Better body proportion
  • Well-toned appearance of your thighs
  • Reduced risk of skin irritation in your thigh region

Does a Thigh Lift Address Sagging Skin after Massive Weight Loss?

Several lines of evidence support the safety and beneficial results of a thigh lift in improving the contour of your thighs.

In a 2019 study, researchers reported that medial thigh lift safely provided aesthetic improvement in patients with massive weight loss. [1]

In another study, researchers found a significant improvement in the appearance of the thighs of women who had a medial thigh lift. The procedure was also free of major complications. [2]

Finally, a 2020 study showed that thigh lift improved thigh appearance as well as the psychological and social aspects of life in patients who had massive weight loss. [3]

Are you planning to get rid of the sagging skin in your thighs? Do you want your thighs to achieve smoother skin with natural results? Schedule a consultation with a qualified plastic surgeon to explore your treatment options.

Download Dr Carmen’s Guide to Thigh Lift & Excess Skin Reduction

Guide Excess Skin Reduction

What happens during a Thigh Lift?

Intravenous sedation and general anaesthesia are administered during the procedure to prevent any discomfort. Depending on your condition and desired cosmetic results, your surgeon will perform the following incision techniques in your thighs:

  • Inner thigh lift incision: Your surgeon creates an incision starting from your groin and around the back of your thigh.
  • Medial thigh lift incision: Also known as inner thigh lift incision, the incision is made in the area between your thighs and pubic region.
  • Outer thigh lift incision: Your surgeon makes an incision starting from your groin going to the area around your hip and across your back.

Once the incisions are created, your surgeon will remove excess fat and skin from your thighs to reshape the area. Your surgeon will then close the incisions using sutures or adhesive tapes.

What to Expect during your Recovery Period

After your thigh lift surgery, your surgical incisions may feel sore and painful. You may need to take pain relievers and anti-inflammatories regularly to reduce discomfort. If your condition is stable, your surgeon will allow you to go home and will provide you with prescriptions, wound care instructions, and a schedule of your follow-up.

Your recovery time will depend on the extent of your surgery. It is recommended to rest as much as possible and avoid any unnecessary movements to prevent tension on your incision lines. After 1 month, bruising and swelling of your incision sites are usually gone. In 4 to 6 months, you can engage in strenuous activities and you can resume your daily routine.

 

What are the Risks and Complications of a Thigh Lift?

The thigh lift procedure also comes with risks and complications, such as:

  • Allergic reaction to anaesthesia
  • Bleeding
  • Changes in skin sensation
  • Delayed wound healing
  • Difficulty moving one or both legs
  • Fever
  • Fluid accumulation
  • Increasing pain at the surgical site
  • Nerve damage
  • Poor cosmetic results
  • Possible need for revisional surgery
  • Pus draining at the wound site
  • Recurrent looseness of skin on your thighs
  • Separation or reopening of the wound
  • Skin discoloration
  • Skin irritation caused by sutures that spontaneously surface through your skin
  • Unsightly scarring

Medical References:

  1. Di Pietro V, Gianfranco MC, Cervelli V, Gentile P. Medial Thigh Contouring in Massive Weight Loss: A Liposuction-Assisted Medial Thigh Lift. World J Plast Surg. 2019;8(2):171-180. doi:10.29252/wjps.8.2.171. 
  2. Labardi L, Gentile P, Gigliotti S, Marianetti M, Colicchia GM, Pascali M, Brinci L, Cervelli V. Medial thighplasty: horizontal and vertical procedures after massive weight loss. J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2012 Jan;5(1):20-5. doi: 10.4103/0974-2077.94330. PMID: 22557851; PMCID: PMC3339123. Retrieved from PubMed.
  3. Paul MA, Opyrchał J, Knakiewicz M, Jaremków P, Duda-Barcik Ł, Ibrahim AMS, Lin SJ. The long-term effect of body contouring procedures on the quality of life in morbidly obese patients after bariatric surgery. PLoS One. 2020 Feb 21;15(2):e0229138. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0229138. PMID: 32084189; PMCID: PMC7034793. Retrieved from PubMed.
1 month ago
Dr Carmen Munteanu FRACS (Plas)

Dr Carmen Munteanu FRACS(Plas) is an experienced Specialist Plastic Surgeon based in Melbourne Australia. She has significant expertise in Breast, Body and Facial Surgery with a particular interest in Labiaplasty, Breast Reduction and Body Lift Surgery After Weightloss