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Thigh Lift

See dramatic improvements in the curve, tone and proportion of your thighs, with minimal scarring to conceal evidence of surgery.

Struggling to achieve firm, shapely thighs? Talk to Dr. Preminger about plastic surgery options.

Thigh lift in NYC

If you’ve accomplished the difficult task of losing a great deal of weight, you may find yourself faced with a final frustration. If your skin has limited elasticity, the skin will be loose and sagging because the underlying fat tissue is no longer there to support it. The excess skin is particularly obvious at the waistline, the upper arms, and the thighs – “curtains of skin” now covering the new, slimmer physique underneath.

For many, thigh lift surgery performed by Dr. Preminger at her Manhattan office is the final step in the process of extreme weight loss. A thigh lift removes the excess non-elastic skin and through a series of careful incisions, reshapes the thigh, tightens the remaining skin, and reveals the beautiful new contour of the thighs.

If someone does not have good skin elasticity and has tried to lose weight but has had little success through diet and exercise, a thigh lift combined with liposuction may be an alternative. Again, careful incisions are made through which excess fat tissue is removed with liposuction. Excess skin is then removed and tightened to contour the now slimmer thighs.

Quick Facts

Procedure Length

3-4 hours

Anesthesia

General

In/Out Patient

Out patient

Risks

Pain, bleeding, infection, asymmetry, nerve damage, recurrent laxity, scarring

Side Effects

Temporary swelling, bruising, tightness, and some pain

Recovery

Back at work in 2 weeks.
Resume light exercise at 2 weeks.
Resume strenuous activity at 6 weeks.
8-12 weeks for swelling to resolve.

Duration of Results

Can be permanent if diet and exercise are maintained

a silhouette of a athletic woman wearing bikini

Preparing for thigh lift surgery

As with any surgical procedure, there needs to be clear communication between patient and surgeon on the patient’s suitability for the procedure, his or her expectations, and a frank discussion of the risks and complications of thigh lift surgery.

Thigh lift procedures are generally suited to patients who have a fairly consistent body weight profile, do not have a history of surgical complications from anesthesia or poor healing, and do not smoke.

Due to either voluntary or involuntary weight loss, ideal candidates have excess soft or sagging skin along the inner or outer thighs. He or she will also have realistic expectations of what thigh lift surgery can do.

Expect a tightening of the skin and re-contouring of the thighs proportional to the rest of the body through a series of relatively unobtrusive incisions.

Complications, though uncommon in the hands of a qualified plastic surgeon, may include infection, unattractive scarring, persistent pain, uncomfortable skin sensations, fluid accumulation, and possible asymmetrical and/or unequal thigh measurements.

Dr. Preminger will take each of her patients patiently through all aspects of the procedure, including costs, so that you can make a reasoned and fully informed decision as to whether the procedure is right for you.

Thigh lift procedure

The thigh lift procedure is an outpatient procedure performed in the calm confines of Dr. Preminger’s private New York office. Make sure you arrange for someone to take you home after you wake up in recovery. It may also be prudent to have someone stay with you for the first night following surgery in case there are any unforeseen issues.

First, anesthesia is administered. This can be either general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation. You will sleep peacefully through the 3-4 hour procedure. The length of the thigh lift surgery is based on the amount of skin that needs to be removed.

There are two types of common thigh lifts—a medial thigh lift addresses problems with the inner thigh, while a lateral thigh lift tightens excess skin on the front and outside of the leg.

If an inner thigh lift is being performed, Dr. Preminger makes an incision at the intersection of the thigh and groin. A portion of skin and underlying fat is extracted and the incision is sutured, resulting in a smoother, shapelier, tighter skin contour and improved skin elasticity.

In a lateral thigh lift, which is often the technique of choice after a large weight loss, an incision is made at the top of the thigh and extended outward towards the hip, strategically placed to potentially be hidden by traditional bathing suits or underwear. A section of skin is excised and the remaining skin is elevated and tightened, and the incision closed. A lateral thigh lift aims to enhance the contours and elasticity of both the outer and inner leg.

In some cases, Dr. Preminger may recommend a medial thigh lift with only minimal incisions in the groin area.

Once the surgery is completed, Dr. Preminger will use deep support sutures in the underlying tissues to help form the new contours. Common sutures will then be used to close the skin incisions. You’ll be wheeled into a comfortable and quiet recovery area in the care of a licensed nurse who will watch over you as you gently wake up.

"For someone who has worked hard through a healthy diet and proper exercise, tighter, slimmer thighs are the ultimate gratification for a job well done."
B. Aviva Preminger, MD

Recovery

Bandages and/or other post-surgical dressings may be used to cover your incisions to promote quick healing, and elastic supports or compression devices may be used to keep inflammation to a minimum. Tiny straw-like devices may be inserted temporarily beneath the skin to allow fluids to drain and to prevent blood from collecting. You may also be prescribed antibiotics to prevent infection. Once home, you’ll be able to shower after two days. Dr. Preminger will also likely encourage you to walk to avoid blood clotting.

You’ll have a follow-up visit to have your stitches removed in a week or so, or they will dissolve naturally depending on the type of suture used. Now that you’re up and about again, you should be able to head back to work in a week to a week and a half. Light exercise can be done in two weeks and more strenuous activity in six weeks.

Results you can't achieve through diet and exercise alone

Some swelling and bruising will remain shortly after surgery, but you will clearly be able to experience the smoother, tighter contouring of the thighs fairly quickly. All that remains are periodic follow up visits with Dr. Preminger to make sure your thigh lift surgery and recovery are going according to plan.

If you’d like help determining if thigh lift surgery is appropriate for you, please call Dr. Preminger’s NYC office at (212) 706-1900 or contact us online.

Request a consultation today.

Whether you are ready to jump right in or still have questions, we can help.

If you are ready to make a change to your appearance, choose the best plastic surgeon and cosmetic team for your procedure. Aviva Preminger, MD Aesthetic Plastic Surgery offers intricate procedures to reshape the face, breasts and body, as well as rejuvenating treatments to look your best at every age.

Contact us today at our office in Manhattan to schedule a personalized consultation with Dr. Preminger and begin your journey to feeling and looking your best!





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