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Thigh Lift

A thigh lift is a surgical procedure used to trim excess fat and skin from the thighs for a smoother, sleeker lower body contour. This procedure may be used to address issues caused by weight fluctuations, the effects of gravity or the normal aging process. A thigh lift is appropriate for both male and female patients, but is particularly helpful for women who wish to feel more comfortable in short shorts, snug-fitting jeans and bathing suits. The procedure is also helpful for creating a thigh shape and size that is proportionate to the rest of the lower body.

Manhattan plastic surgeon Dr. Thomas Loeb performs body contouring surgery, including thigh lifts, butt lifts, tummy tucks and liposuction in his NYC office.

Planning thigh lift surgery in New York City

Top-rated NYC plastic surgeon Dr. Thomas Loeb will consult with you at his private office on Manhattan’s Upper East Side to discuss your reasons for wanting a thigh lift and your expectations for the outcome of your procedure.

Thigh lift surgery is appropriate for addressing the following health and cosmetic concerns:

  • Irritation and chaffing skin due to excess tissue causing friction on the skin’s surface
  • Loose or dimpled skin that has lost elasticity through the normal aging process
  • Excess pockets of fat in the thighs that have not responded to diet and exercise
  • Loose skin due to substantial, rapid weight loss

This procedure is not recommended as a quick fix for excess weight. While thigh lift surgery will create a smoother contour, it is not used to significantly drop inches or pounds. At his private Fifth Avenue NYC office suite, Dr. Loeb will carefully explain the purpose of the procedure and the realistic results patients can expect.  He will take a full medical history to determine if there are any medical conditions or lifestyle habits that could impact the results of the thigh lift surgery. If you smoke, you will be advised to quit a number of weeks prior to the surgery to prepare your body for the healing process afterward. Dr. Loeb will also explain the procedure to you and answer any questions you might have.

Procedure

Dr. Loeb may perform your thigh lift under local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia. The incision patterns used will depend on your preference and Dr. Loeb’s recommendation for the most successful procedure, based on the amount of skin and fat to be removed. Typically, incisions are made in the groin area, where scarring will be hidden by clothing. In some cases, a hip incision may also be required.

Dr. Loeb will work through the incisions to remove and reposition fat deposits and underlying tissue. In some cases, liposuction may also be used during the procedure to eliminate fat pockets more efficiently. Skin will be tightened over the incision and closed using tiny sutures. The entire procedure generally takes anywhere from four to eight hours to complete, depending on the amount of work to be done. The procedure may be performed in Dr. Loeb’s private surgical suite or at a nearby hospital.

Recovery

You may go home the same day as your thigh lift or the day after, depending on the specific type of procedure that is done. Dr. Loeb will send home a full list of post-operative instructions to ensure your recovery goes as quickly and smoothly as possible. You will also receive a prescription for pain medication, which may be needed during the first few days after thigh lift surgery, depending on your level of discomfort. Dr. Loeb will advise you to take two to three weeks to allow for full recovery of the procedure, if at all possible. Most patients begin to feel significantly better around the third day after surgery, when bruising and swelling typically begin to subside.

You may see the results of your thigh lift within five weeks to two months, once the swelling in the lower area is completely gone. The thigh lift is considered a permanent procedure, as long as a healthy weight is maintained after surgery. Dr. Loeb will advise you on a diet and exercise program that will ensure you enjoy the full results of your thigh lift surgery for many years to come.

Related procedures in Manhattan

Thigh lift surgery may be performed alone or in combination with other procedures, such as liposuction. Because a thigh lift is considered relatively extensive, it is rarely performed in conjunction with other cosmetic surgery procedures. Patients who wish to have more than one procedure typically should wait until fully recovered from the first procedure before scheduling the next.

To learn more about having thigh lift surgery in New York City, or to ask questions about other body contouring procedures, please call Dr. Loeb’s Fifth Avenue office at 212-327-3700 and schedule a private consultation with the doctor.

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    New York, NY 10028
    212-327-3700
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    Great Neck, NY 11021
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