A thigh lift or upper thigh reduction is a procedure performed to help reduce excess and loose skin on your upper thighs. Significant weight loss can often result in excess skin that can rub and impact comfortability. This loose skin can be surgically excised and removed along with some excess fat for firmer thighs.
Disclaimer: All information on the Gold Coast Plastic Surgery website is general in nature and is not intended to be medical advice, nor does it constitute a doctor-patient relationship. Results can vary significantly and depend on individual patient circumstances. Please be aware that the outcomes shown are specific to those patients and may not necessarily reflect the results others may experience. Individual results can vary due to many factors, including genetics, diet, and exercise. All images on this website, unless specified as real patient images, are graphics used for illustrative purposes only. Surgery risks and complications will be covered in detail during a consultation with your surgeon. Book a consult for details regarding your cosmetic surgery procedure.
What is a thigh lift?
A thigh lift, similar to Brachioplasty for the arms, is a surgical procedure performed to remove excess skin and excess fat from the upper thigh region, that may be present after a significant weight loss. Also known as thighplasty, thigh lift surgery can reduce the size of your thighs, and increase the functionality and firmness of thighs.
If you want your thighs to be lighter, more functional and have less excess skin, thigh lift surgery may be suitable for you. Please note, that this surgery is not a weight loss tool. If excess fat is your concern, you may wish to consider liposuction.
Am I A Suitable Candidate For The Thigh Reduction Procedure?
If you have excess skin on your thighs from significant weight loss that is bothering you due to its physical side effects such as chafing, then you might be a suitable candidate for the thigh lift procedure.
You may be a suitable candidate for a thigh lift procedure if you are physically healthy and maintaining a constant weight, are a non-smoker, and have recently lost a significant amount of weight. You should also have realistic expectations for the procedure, that you can discuss with your surgeon during your surgery consultation.
During these consultations, Gold Coast Plastic Surgery’s Dr Doyle will assess your health and evaluate if you are an eligible patient for thigh lift surgery. If you are not a suitable candidate, other procedures may be recommended at that time.
What Are the benefits of a thigh reduction procedure?
A leg lift, also known as a thigh lift and thighplasty can assist in tightening the skin on your thighs and may also make the skin firmer.
Apart from the physical benefits, the thigh lift procedure can also make the thighs more functional, by reducing chafing, which can be quite painful.
Book a consultation today with Gold Coast Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Mark Doyle to find out more about the thigh lift surgery.
Thigh Lift Before and After Photos Gold Coast
Real patient results by Dr Mark Doyle. Please note, that each patient is different, and results can vary from patient to patient.
Disclaimer: All information on the Gold Coast Plastic Surgery website is general in nature and is not intended to be medical advice, nor does it constitute a doctor-patient relationship. Results can vary significantly and depend on individual patient circumstances. Please be aware that the outcomes shown are specific to those patients and may not necessarily reflect the results others may experience. Individual results can vary due to many factors, including genetics, diet, and exercise. All images on this website, unless specified as real patient images, are graphics used for illustrative purposes only. Surgery risks and complications will be covered in detail during a consultation with your surgeon. Book a consult for details regarding your cosmetic surgery procedure.
What’s Involved In A Thigh Lifting Procedure?
A thigh lift procedure is commonly performed as a day procedure at John Flynn Private Hospital. The procedure itself can take 2 – 3 hours depending on the size of your thighs. You will need to commit to spending some time in the hospital during the pre-surgery and post-surgery phases. Please note, that this means that you should be prepared to spend most of the day in the hospital.
“Speaking from surgical experience, my preferred technique when performing an inner thigh lift involves initial liposuction to remove the excess fat of the thighs, immediately followed by excision of the excess skin and excess fat using a vertical incision, extending down the inside of the leg from the groin as far down the thigh as it is necessary. This scar generally never extends below the knee. In my experience I believe any form of thigh lift using a horizontal scar in the groin does not result well.” – Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Mark Doyle.
For optimal surgical results, it is generally recommended that an outer thigh lift surgery combines liposuction and as part of a body lift, belt lipectomy or extended abdominoplasty.
Compression garments are always used following a thigh lift and must stay on for 6 weeks following the procedure.
Recovery From A Thigh Reduction Procedure
The recovery phase of a leg lift procedure can take up to eight (8) weeks and is usually characterised by swelling, bruising, mild discomfort, and pain. Dr Doyle will prescribe some pain management medications and antibiotics to assist you during this recovery period.
You should rest and let your thighs heal for the first two (2) weeks. You should also avoid any form of physical exercise that can put pressure on the wounds and complicate the healing process. However, you can slowly walk around the house to keep the blood flowing and ensure sufficient circulation. Please note, that it is advised not to walk too much, as it may cause more harm than good.
You should refrain from driving until you are comfortable walking and sitting down. It is best if you have someone staying with you during this recovery period to assist you where required.
You need to abstain from smoking or drinking, especially when taking antibiotics and painkillers, as both can delay the wound healing process and increase the risk of infections significantly.
You can start performing physical activities six (6) to eight (8) weeks following the surgery. Please note, that you should consult Dr Doyle and the team, to ensure your wounds have healed before doing any exercises.
Why Choose Gold Coast Plastic Surgeon Dr Mark Doyle?
Dr Mark Doyle is an Australian specialist plastic surgeon. He has over 30 years of experience working in the field, and he approaches each surgery with his experience and innovative techniques.
Is A Thigh Lift Suitable For Me?
A thigh lift procedure is a surgical procedure to remove the excess skin and excess fat from your thighs. In some cases thigh lift surgery may be medically required, as removing excess skin and fat from the thighs, can allow the thighs to become more functional and reduce pain or discomfort. Please note, like any other surgical procedure, it also has certain risks and complications associated.
If you are concerned about excess thigh skin and can accept the scarring associated with the procedure, then you may be a suitable candidate for thighlift surgery.
Cost Of The Thigh Lift Procedure
Thigh lift procedure costs vary on the amount of loose skin that needs correction and hence the time taken to perform the surgery. This surgery can attract Medicare item numbers for some patients and your medical insurance and Medicare may pay some money towards your costs.
The cost of a thigh lift procedure includes the surgeon’s fees, anaesthetic fees, and hospital fees. You are required to pay a booking fee of $1,000 when the surgery is booked and the balance at least 28 days before your surgery date.
To receive a more accurate estimate of what you can expect to spend on thighlift surgery, schedule a consultation with Dr Doyle today. You can access our list of pricing resources to find out more about the cost of thigh lift surgery:
Risks and Complications of a Thigh Lift Procedure
Thigh Lift procedure has side effects that may occur straight after the surgery, and there are also other complications that you should keep in mind and discuss with your surgeon before deciding to undergo a thigh lift procedure.
- Swelling and bruising
- Temporary scarring that can take 12 months to improve
- Blood accumulation under the thigh skin
- Fluid accumulation in the thighs
- Poor wound healing and wound separation
- Anaesthetic risks
- Persistent pain
- Skin discolouration
- Skin irritation due to surfacing of deep tissue sutures, which then need to be removed
- Numbness of skin or loss of sensation
- Asymmetry and permanent scarring
Thigh Lift Cosmetic Surgery Frequently Asked Questions
What Should I Wear After A Thigh Lift?
You should wear compression garments for 6 weeks following thigh lift surgery to minimise swelling. Once you have fully healed you can wear any type of clothing you wish.
Are There Any Non-Surgical Alternatives To A Leg Lift Procedure?
A thigh lift is performed to remove excess, loose skin that is present after you lose significant amounts of weight. Apart from surgically removing the excess skin and excess fat, there is not much more that can be done to tighten the skin.
Will I Have A Scar After Thigh Reduction (Thigh Lift) Surgery?
A thigh lift surgery is going to leave an external vertical scar down the inside of your thighs which is permanent. Generally, these scars heal and fade over time and the benefits of the improved functionality of the thigh outweigh the scarring.
How Can I minimise Scarring?
Post-surgery you may commence using a topical scar treatment such as silicone gel. Please note, that your scars will be reddened for approximately 12 months post-surgery, and then they should start to fade and soften. Please avoid direct sunlight on the scarring areas and wear sunscreen when in the sun.
Further Reading
About Dr Mark Doyle FRACS (Plas) – Queensland Plastic Surgeon
Servicing patients in Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Cairns and New South Wales NSW – Northern Rivers, Byron Bay, Ballina, Lismore and more.
Dr Mark Doyle is a fully qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon with over 30 years of experience performing breast, body, face and nose surgery. He has completed all required training and only carries out approved surgical practices. There are NO undertrained doctors or cosmetic doctors acting as surgeons at Gold Coast Plastic Surgery.
