A thigh lift is designed to reduce excess skin and fat from the inside of the thigh. This creates a narrower upper leg silhouette.
A thigh lift involves identifying the limits of the excess on the inside of the thigh skin by pinching and marking the excess tissue prior to surgery. This area undergoes liposuction to remove all the excess fat and allow maximum skin to be removed and then the gap is stitched together.
A thigh lift is designed to reduce excess skin and fat from the inside of the thigh. This creates a narrower upper leg silhouette.
A thigh lift involves identifying the limits of the excess on the inside of the thigh skin by pinching and marking the excess tissue prior to surgery. This area undergoes liposuction to remove all the excess fat and allow maximum skin to be removed and then the gap is stitched together.
The result is a scar that sits like a trouser seam on the inside part of the thigh from the groin area to the knee depending on the degree of excess skin.
The surgery is performed under a general anaesthetic and if done alone is a day case operation, which means you go home the same day as your surgery.
What is the aim of the thigh lift surgery?
To reduce excess inside thigh loose hanging skin and fat. This technique creates a narrower upper leg silhouette.
How long will the results last?
There are changes in the bodies tissues with age, weight gain, weight loss, exercise and following pregnancy.
If you are on a weight loss journey, it is essential to have reached your goal weight prior to undergoing a thigh lift as further weight loss can cause more skin laxity.
The results of an arm lift will withstand well over time but the above factors will inevitably have effects on the tissues. This varies from patient to patient and can be difficult to predict.
What happens on the day of surgery?
Prior to the day of surgery you will be given the following information and it is critical to know these details ahead of time:
On the day of surgery you will be checked in by a nurse and all your details will be confirmed and you will be changed into a surgical gown.
Dr Rory will see you before your surgery to run through all the details of the surgery, the consent forms as well as performing all your surgical markings. Multiple ID checks and procedure confirmation will be performed prior to your operation as safety is a priority.
After your surgery Dr Rory will notify your friends or family to let them know the procedure has finished and put thieir mind at ease. Depending of the procedure he will see you after the surgery and discuss the procedure.
When you are feeling comfortable, the team will then allow you to be discharged as planned that morning. All medicines and instructions will be given to you on your discharge.
How long will the surgery take?
If done in isolation, the surgery takes approximately two to three hours.
This does not include anaesthesia time. In total, the whole procedure may last longer.
Will the procedure be painful?
One of the primary aims of any procedure performed by Dr Rory is to create a pain free experience.
A long acting local anaesthetic agent is injected at the end of the procedure. To make you comfortable and a garment will be applied to help minimize swelling.
In terms of recovery, there will be some tenderness in the surgical area and some discomfort.
Your calves and feet will swell up, this is normal. The swelling may throb and ache so it is advised you periodically elevate your feet to reduce the swelling.
Dr Rory does not use drains, which again makes the procedure more comfortable.
What is the recovery period?
This is a major procedure and so the recovery is ten days.
During this time you can fully use your arms and legs and are encourage to do so with care.
There will be swelling and occasional tingling in your calves and feet, which is normal and will resolve by intermittently elevating your feet.
What should I consider when recovering from the procedure?
There will be a specialized skin glue place on the surgical area and a splash proof dressing. This will allow you to shower with care. The garment should be removed before showering.
No heavy exertional activity that will cause excessive sweating, heavy lifting or jerking leg movements in the first seven days.
The specialized skin glue will peel off at week three to four. At this time, a silicone based strip or gel should be applied to the dry healed scar in order to minimize the final appearance of the scar.
The garment should be worn for four to six weeks after your thigh lift.
The final results in terms of resolution of swelling will be at approximately four months.
As you attend your wound check appointments you will see the skin glue as purple and very often the skin can appear gathered. This gathering of the skin will flatten over time.
The final appearance of your scars will be at eighteen months.
What is the cost of the procedure?
If performed alone, the cost of the procedure starts at 50,000 AED (excluding VAT).
The final cost is determined on a case by case basis dependent on complexity and additional procedures. Combination surgeries will lower the price of individual surgeries if done together.
A full surgical no-commitment consultation with Dr Rory will provide all the necessary details for your particular case.
What are the risks of the procedure?
These include some discomfort, infection, risk of bleeding, swollen arms and hands, degrees of asymmetry, wound breakdown and delayed wound healing (in particular at the upper end of the wound where the legs rub on walking).
Smokers face delayed wound healing and poorer quality scars generally from most surgeries. Dr Rory is therefore very strict when it comes to smoking and thigh lift surgery. You are advised to stop smoking one month before and after this surgery.
There is also the risk of stretching of the scar and excessive scarring such as hypertrophic or keloid scarring.
Anything in particularly important I should know about the procedure?
It’s a straightforward procedure with very high satisfaction rates if you are willing to accept the scarring which will fade over time.
It is most commonly performed in conjunction with other body contouring surgeries.
What is the follow up after the procedure?
Each patient has a follow up schedule that is different.
You will be advised by Dr Rory and his team your particular follow up journey.
Typically it involves seeing the team a week after surgery for a wound check, then protective dressings until the glue falls off.
Thereafter, scar checks are performed at the six week point. This schedule will differ between individuals.
Who is involved in my care?
Dr Rory is the primary physician in charge of all your care. He performs all procedures himself and is meticulous about every aspect of your care.
Once he has performed a procedure on you he is available for you as your on-call doctor.
He will provide you with contact details and will be available for you. If you have any questions or concerns at any time he is available to support you.
He has trained his team around him to an exceptionally high standard from his aesthetic coordinators to aesthetic nurses.
In some instances, for example, for photography, garment fitting, wound dressings, checks or removal of stitches, his highly trained team will perform the care liasing directly with Dr Rory with real time updates.
