Plastic Surgeon Serving North Andover, Boston, Haverhill, MA - Nashua, Salem, Manchester, NH & Nearby Areas
A thigh lift can eliminate the sagging skin and tissue that interferes with your physical activity and makes it difficult to find proper fitting clothing. A thigh lift is a body contouring procedure designed to remove excess fat and skin from your thighs and tighten the remaining skin and tissue for a more firm and toned appearance.
Ideal Candidates for a Thigh Lift
Ideal candidates for a thigh lift are those patients who have lost a significant amount of weight following bariatric surgery or pregnancy and who are embarrassed by excess skin and fat around the thighs that cannot be lost through diet and exercise. You should be at or near your ideal weight, a non-smoker, and in generally good health in order to undergo the procedure.
To determine if a thigh lift is the right procedure to restore a slimmer, more attractive appearance to your thighs, call our North Andover office at 978-687-1151 or our Nashua office at 603-882-2103 today to schedule your personal consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. George P. Chatson.
The Thigh Lift Procedure
There are a number of incision options and techniques that can be employed by Dr. Chatson to perform your thigh lift. In some instances, multiple incisions will be required to fully tone and reshape the thighs. These incisions are placed as inconspicuously as possible, but some scarring may be visible when you are without clothing. Your procedure will be as minimally invasive as possible and tailored to meet your exact needs.
While a thigh lift may result in some scarring, most patients find this acceptable when considering the many benefits offered by this procedure, including feeling confident in your appearance and comfortable in your body.
Is a Thigh Lift Procedure Painful?
When undergoing your thigh lift procedure, anesthesia will be used to help minimize any pain or discomfort felt during surgery. Compared to other surgical procedures, a thigh lift is not overly painful. However, most discomfort will likely be felt during the recovery process as common side effects such as swelling, bruising, and tenderness while moving may occur as you heal.
Are There Any Risks with a Thigh Lift?
While a thigh lift is a safe and effective procedure, it can still come with several risks. These risks include:
- Excessive bleeding
- Asymmetry
- Changes in skin sensation
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Fluid accumulation
- Infection
- Numbness
- Poor wound healing or closure
- Swelling
Dr. Chatson prioritizes patient safety and comfort with each procedure and is dedicated to minimizing risks as much as possible during your thigh lift.
How Can I Prepare for My Thigh Lift Procedure?
Preparing for your thigh lift procedure can help minimize risks and complications during both your surgery and recovery. Before committing to your thigh lift appointment, we recommend you do the following to properly prepare:
- Get a physical examination from your primary doctor to ensure you are healthy enough to undergo and heal from a thigh lift procedure.
- Consult your doctor about stopping any medications that may interfere with a thigh lift.
- Quit smoking.
- Eat a balanced diet.
- Establish an exercise routine that can help you maintain a stable weight.
- Arrange transportation plans with a loved one.
- Prepare to take time off work to rest and recover from your procedure.
What Are the Benefits of a Thigh Lift?
From improving function to transforming appearance, a thigh lift can provide many benefits to patients, including:
- Elimination of sagging skin
- Smoother thighs
- Tighter and firmer muscles
- Reduced appearance of stretch marks
- More toned and contoured look
- Increase in self-confidence
How Long Will the Results of a Thigh Lift Last?
A thigh lift is a major surgical procedure that produces lasting results. You can expect the results from your thigh lift to last between five to ten years. Keeping a stable weight is essential to maintaining your thigh lift results.
Will I Have Scarring from a Thigh Lift?
You will most likely have a scar after your thigh lift. Because a thigh lift involves surgical incisions, it is likely that you will experience scarring. The size of the scar and its location will depend on the surgical technique used to achieve your aesthetic goals. Drawing from years of experience in plastic surgery, Dr. Chatson will prioritize natural-looking results with your thigh lift procedure and minimize the risk of scarring as much as possible.
What Can I Expect from My Thigh Lift Consultation?
During your thigh lift consultation with Dr. Chatson, you can expect to discuss your overall health, aesthetic goals, lifestyle, eating habits, and any concerns you may have about the procedure. Your consultation is the perfect time to ask Dr. Chatson about any concerns you may have. The most common questions to ask a doctor during a thigh lift consultation can include:
- Are you certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery?
- Were you trained specifically in the field of plastic surgery?
- How many years of plastic surgery training have you had?
- Am I a good candidate for this procedure?
- What surgical technique is recommended for me?
- How long can I expect a recovery period?
- What are the risks and complications associated with my procedure?
- How are complications handled?
- How can I expect my thighs to look over time?
- What are my options if I am dissatisfied with the cosmetic outcome of my thigh lift?
- Do you have before-and-after photos I can look at for this procedure?
Combining Thigh Lift with Other Plastic Surgery Procedures
Dr. Chatson can perform a thigh lift on your inner or outer thighs or both to improve your lower body contours. However, for full lower body rejuvenation, a thigh lift is sometimes combined with liposuction and a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) in a procedure called a lower body lift.
During your initial consultation with Dr. Chatson, you will discuss the issues you wish to address and Dr. Chatson will determine the methods to best achieve the results you desire.
Results and Recovery from a Thigh Lift
Every patient recovers at their own rate, but in general, you can expect your recovery from a thigh lift procedure to take several weeks. The length of your recovery depends on the extent of your surgical procedure and whether it was combined with other procedures, such as a tummy tuck.
You should expect some swelling and bruising in the surgical area, which will begin to subside in the first weeks after surgery. Dr. Chatson will provide medications and compression garments to help with these issues. You should be prepared to take one to weeks away from work and to refrain from strenuous activities for four to six weeks following your surgery to give your body ample time to heal.
Find out if a thigh lift is the right procedure to eliminate sagging in your thighs. Please call George P. Chatson, M.D., today at 978-687-1151 for our Andover office or 603-882-2103 for our Nashua office to schedule your consultation. We welcome patients throughout Andover and Lowell, Massachusetts, and Nashua, Salem, and Manchester, New Hampshire.
Schedule Your Thigh or Body Lift Consultation
Dr. George P. Chatson specializes in Body and Thigh Lift procedures and will be happy to answer any questions or alleviate any concerns you may have about this procedure. Before making that choice, we invite you to contact our office by completing an online contact form or calling us at 978-687-1151 in North Andover, MA and 603-882-2103 in Nashua, NH. to speak with someone at our office. We look forward to hearing from you!
