- What is Involved in a Body and Thigh Lift?
- What is Involved in Inner and Outer Thigh Lifts?
- What is Involved in an Upper and Lower Body Lift?
- How Can I Get a Thigh Gap?
- How Much Does a Body and Thigh Lift Cost?
- What Are the Benefits of a Body and Thigh Lift?
- Am I a Good Candidate for a Body and Thigh Lift?
- What Can I Expect During Recovery?
What is Involved in a Body and Thigh Lift?
A body and thigh lift is a complex surgical procedure, frequently performed after a tremendous weight loss or sometimes after pregnancy as part of a mommy makeover. When you gain a significant amount of weight, your skin is sometimes forced to stretch far beyond its natural limits. When that weight is lost, the skin is frequently unable to fully recover.
Body and thigh lift surgery is designed to lift and tighten the loose, sagging skin that remains on the hips, thighs, stomach, waist, and buttocks.
The body and thigh lift can be done simultaneously as a single procedure, or it can be performed as two separate surgeries, depending on what the doctor determines is the best option to help the patient achieve their desired results.
What is Involved in Inner and Outer Thigh Lifts?
As the name indicates, an inner and outer thigh lift is performed to tighten and lift the skin on the inner and outer part of the thigh, improving the appearance by giving the thighs a smoother, sleeker look.
What is Involved in an Upper and Lower Body Lift?
An upper body lift is done to improve the appearance of much of the body from the waist up. This can include the arms (brachioplasty), breasts, upper back, and sides of the body. It may include a breast lift supplemented with liposuction or combined with breast reduction.
The lower body lift focuses on removing excess skin from the buttocks and outer thighs and is often done in conjunction with abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) .
How Can I Get a Thigh Gap?
During a thigh lift, the surgeon can sculpt a thigh gap by making an incision from the back to the front of the mid-thigh and taking out a small section of skin, which helps tighten up the thigh, leaving a gap. There is an extended version of the thigh gap surgery that also removes excess skin on the inner thigh all the way down to the knee.
It’s also possible, depending on your unique circumstances, to create a thigh gap without surgery by using CoolSculpting® or liposuction treatments.
How Much Does a Body and Thigh Lift Cost?
Your investment in a body and thigh lift will likely be different from the next patient, as a number of variables must be considered that could impact the total cost of the procedure.
Dr. Contogiannis will thoroughly discuss your specific case during your initial consultation and should be able to give you a more accurate cost assessment at that time.
Many insurance companies offer little or no coverage for cosmetic surgeries unless it directly affects your health, so it’s best to contact your provider to find out which procedures they will or will not provide coverage for.
In an effort to keep patient procedures as affordable as possible, we offer financing as an option for your body and thigh lift surgery through Alphaeon® or CareCredit®.
What Are the Benefits of a Body and Thigh Lift?
Benefits of having all that excess skin removed with a body and thigh lift are numerous and most patients are extremely happy with their results. Common benefits can include:
- Long-term results
- Dramatically improved body shape
- Significant increase in confidence and self-image
- The surgery can target multiple areas simultaneously
- Resulting difference after surgery can be life-altering
Am I a Good Candidate for a Body and Thigh Lift?
Some of the best candidates for this surgery are patients who lost a massive amount of weight, either through bariatric surgery or on their own, and are left with significant amounts of loose, sagging skin in various areas all over their body.
Ideal candidates also need to be otherwise healthy, and have no medical conditions that would impair the body’s natural ability to heal or increase the risk of surgery.
What Can I Expect During Recovery Following a Body and Thigh Lift?
Each body heals at a different rate, so your recovery time may be longer or shorter than someone else’s. Much depends on the extent and complexity of the surgeries performed.
Generally speaking, you’ll probably need to be off work for seven to 10 days to allow time for rest and recovery. Swelling and bruising can be expected, but should dissipate within a few weeks. Regular activities can be resumed by most patients within a few months.
Dr. Contogiannis will give you specific post-op instructions before you leave. For more rapid recovery results, read and follow them as closely as possible.
To find out more about body and thigh lifts, contact our office to set up a private consultation to see if it’s the best choice for you. The Renaissance Center for Plastic Surgery & Wellness is pleased to offer our services to residents in Greensboro, NC, including Winston-Salem, Burlington, High Point, and the surrounding communities.
