Thigh Lift
Consultations offered at our three convenient locations in Encino, Glendale and Bakersfield
A thigh lift with Dr. Sean Younai provides patients with beautifully slim, defined legs.
Contents
About Thighplasty
There are three types of thigh lifts: inner thigh lift, mini thigh lift, and outer thigh lift. Each technique takes one to two hours to perform.
Often times additional body contouring procedures such as a tummy tuck, liposuction, or full body lift may be undergone at the same time for enhanced results.
Thigh Lift Candidates
It is best for thigh lift candidates to be at a stable body weight since major fluctuations can alter results.
Thigh lift candidates are women and men who are in good health but suffer from loose or rippling skin on their inner and/or outer thighs. This is most commonly seen on people who have lost a significant amount of weight since unlike fat, skin cannot be toned or tightened with exercise. Aging may also be a factor for loose skin as collagen levels deplete, or younger patients who simply have poor skin elasticity.
Candidates must understand that depending on the extent of the case and the technique chosen, there may be some visible scarring. Those with less sagging may only require a medial or mini thigh lift, in which case scars are concealed in the natural crease of the groin area and can be hidden in a bikini. Scar treatment can be discussed with Dr. Younai during your consultation.
Techniques We Use
There are three types of thigh lifts: the inner thigh lift, mini thigh lift, and outer thigh lift. No matter which type of thigh lift you choose, the procedure is performed by making incisions to remove the excess skin and drawing the remaining tissue tight. This creates the firm, smooth contour that most women and men are looking for.
Inner Thigh Lift
The inner thigh lift is the most popular of the procedure techniques. This is primarily because of the popularity among women of a gap between the thighs, which gives an elongated and slimming appearance to the thighs. An inner thigh lift, sometimes called a medial thigh lift, is performed by excising a crescent-shaped wedge from the inner groin. The skin is then pulled upward and anchored to the pelvic bone. With this procedure, the scars are easily hidden under a bikini.
This technique is generally reserved for those experiencing moderate sagging in their inner thighs. Another inner thigh incision technique that may be used is extending the groin area incision into the crease of the buttocks. For those with more significant sagging skin and excess tissue in the inner thighs, a vertical incision can be made from the groin area to the inner knees, sometimes referred to as a vertical medial thigh lift. The incision chosen for your inner thigh lift will depend on your case, your specific anatomy, and your desired aesthetic outcome.
Mini Thigh Lift
A mini thigh lift is a modified, smaller scale version of an inner thigh lift. This technique is reserved for those who experience minimal inner thigh sagging on the upper ⅓ portion. A smaller groin area incision is used to accomplish lifting. This technique does not offer as dramatic of results as a medial thigh lift or vertical incision thigh lift, but very minimal scarring is produced and a shorter recovery period is needed.
Outer Thigh Lift
An outer thigh lift is similar to a tummy tuck, with the skin on your outer thighs drawn upward toward your waist. This procedure is most popular among women who have achieved massive weight loss and have excessive loose skin on the outer thighs. An incision will be made on the upper outer hips, and an elliptical shaped area of skin is removed. An outer thigh lift will also contour the front of the thighs, and it can sometimes naturally tighten the inner thighs as part of the lifting process. If there is extensive outer thigh sagging, a V shaped incision can be used to remove more skin and tissue.
Thigh Liposuction vs Thigh Lift
Thigh lifts are designed to address loose, sagging inner or outer thigh skin. It is generally performed on patients who have lost a significant amount of weight. If deemed suitable for the specific case, liposuction can be performed at the same time as a thigh lift. This will be determined based on the patient’s anatomic deformity.
Before and After Photos
Your Consultation
At your thigh lift consultation with Dr. Sean Younai in either his Beverly Hills, Encino, Glendale or Bakersfield location, you will discuss the likes, dislikes, and goals for your thigh area. A thorough examination will be performed, and from that the doctor will offer his expert advice as to which technique he believes will give you the best possible results. No two patients are alike, so each patient will receive a customized surgical technique with the appropriate accompanying preparatory and recovery instructions. A custom quote will be provided as well.
The Procedure
A thigh lift procedure begins with the area thoroughly cleaned and prepped for surgery. Incision locations will be marked for precise guidance, and local or general anesthesia will then be administered. Dr. Younai excises loose skin from the inner and/or outer thighs, removes and repositions tissue, and tightens the remaining skin for improved contour.
Liposuction can be performed during the same surgical session, but depending on the case it may be recommended to do this as a separate procedure at a future date to avoid risk of healing problems.
The length of the incision is dependent on the amount of skin that needs to be removed. Those addressing minor sagging will not need as long of an incision as patients who have undergone massive weight loss.
Complementing Procedures
Liposuction
Liposuction, a fat reduction procedure, is great to pair with a thigh lift for candidates who have mild to moderate sagging skin as well as fat deposits in the thigh area. In fact, liposuction can be performed on any part of the body during a thigh lift for additional body contouring.
Tummy Tuck
A tummy tuck is a body contouring procedure which tightens the ab muscles and removes loose abdominal skin to create a better contoured midsection. If lax skin on the abdomen and thighs are both a concern, an extended tummy tuck can be performed at the same time as your thigh lift.
Body Lift
A body lift is an all around body enhancing procedure which addresses loose skin on the abdomen, flanks, hips, lower back, thighs, and buttocks. The entire lower half of the body is essentially lifted by removing loose skin and excess tissue from a circumferential incision.
Recovery
Dressing and a compression garment will be wrapped around the thighs to aid in the reduction of swelling and help the thighs form to their new enhanced shape. Recovery time varies for each patient, but the initial healing period takes about three weeks. Patients should expect to take this time off from work as this time period is critical for proper healing. It is very important to take good initial care of the incision sites and keep movement to a minimum. Light activity can be resumed in about a week, but be very cautious because too much movement can open the incisions. The tension of gravity pulling when walking, bending, or standing can potentially cause this. Open wounds on the thighs are manageable but it will greatly delay healing. If incisions sites are properly cared for and heal well, full recovery can happen as early as six weeks; vigorous activities can then be resumed.
Results
Patients can expect to see beautifully contoured and shapely legs after they’ve reached full recovery; this is generally in six to seven weeks after surgery. Any scars that result from surgery will fade with good care and time. Depending on the length of the incision, scars can easily be hidden with clothing. Results of a thigh lift are long lasting so long as the patient maintains a stable body weight.
Price
The cost of thigh lift surgery is based on the technique underwent and the customization of your procedure. Price will alter if a thigh lift is performed as part of a tummy tuck or body lift. Dr. Younai will gladly provide you with an individual quote during your initial thigh lift consultation.