What Is A Medial Thigh Lift?

Have you lost a significant amount of weight and been left with loose, hanging skin on your thighs? You’re not alone. Many patients suffer from excess, sagging skin following weight loss, pregnancy, or even from aging. This problem can be frustrating and embarrassing, particularly if you have worked so hard to achieve your weight loss goals. Fortunately, cosmetic surgery offers weight loss patients the ability to finally rid themselves of excess thigh skin and be able to show off all of their hard work. award-winning plastic surgeon Dr. J. Timothy Katzen and the exceptional team at J. Timothy Katzen, M.D. Beverly Hills have helped many men and women complete the final stage of their weight loss transformations with various after weight loss procedures, one of the most popular being the thigh lift.

What is a thigh lift?

The thigh lift, also known as a thighplasty, is a highly effective surgical procedure designed to remove excess skin from the inner and/or outer upper thighs.

Who can benefit from a thigh lift?

The thigh lift procedure can be beneficial for men and women who are looking to improve the contour of their thighs by removing excess thigh skin. Some of the most common reasons that a patient would pursue a thigh lift include:

? Significant weight loss (usually 100 pounds or more)

? Weight fluctuation associated with pregnancy and childbirth

? Loose or sagging skin due to aging

During your one-on-one consultation, Dr. Katzen will discuss your concerns and goals and explain how a thigh lift may help you enhance your look.

What’s the difference between a crescent thigh lift, Spiral thigh lift, modified medial thigh lift, longitudinal thigh lift, vertical thigh lift, and lateral thigh lift?

If you have started researching plastic surgery after weight loss, you have likely discovered that there are several different types of thigh lifts. The goal of any thighplasty procedure is to remove excess skin and produce a firmer, smoother contour. Dr. Katzen will choose the best approach based your anatomy and individual areas of concern.

During a crescent thigh lift, a crescent area of skin and fat is exercised from the upper 1/3 of the inner thigh. The benefits are that the scar is hidden high in the groin. The disadvantage is that the procedure does not remove much excess skin and fat and does not affect excess skin and fat around the knee. A spiral thigh lift is very similar to a crescent thigh lift.

During a modified thigh lift and a longitudinal thigh lift, inner thigh liposuction is performed. Then, an incision is made from the groin down the inner thigh. For modified thigh lift, the incision only goes partway down the inner thigh. The incision stops where the excess thigh skin and fat ends. With a longitudinal thigh lift, the incision goes from the groin to below the knee. The modified thigh lift is for patients with more excess in the upper, inner thigh. The longitudinal thigh left is for patients with excess skin and fat from the upper inner thigh to the knee. The lateral thigh lift is rarely performed. It involves making an incision from the outer hip to the outer portion of the knee. This removes excess skin and fat from the outer or lateral portion of the thigh. This is for patients with extremely large legs and a pantaloon deformity from the hip to the knee.

How does a medial thigh lift work?

During your medial crescent thigh lift, Dr. Katzen will carefully place an incision in the upper groin that goes around to the crease of the buttocks, making the scar relatively easy to conceal with underwear, swimsuits, and other clothing. The skin is then lifted and tightened, with excess skin being excised. After the case, the incision will be closed with sutures and drains will likely be placed.

What is the recovery like after a medial thigh lift?

As with any surgery, the length and intensity of the recovery period can vary from patient to patient. However, in general, patients can expect bruising, swelling, and some amount of discomfort following a thigh lift. Dr. Katzen will prescribe medication to help with your pain and will recommend at-home methods to help relieve your swelling and other symptoms. Typically, patients take 1-2 weeks off work after a thigh lift, provided their job does not require strenuous physical activity. The majority of the bruising, swelling, and discomfort should subside after 3-4 weeks, but the final results of your thigh lift may not be fully visible for several months. It is important to make sure and get plenty of rest and follow Dr. Katzen’s post-operative instructions carefully to ensure a recovery that is as comfortable and successful as possible.

What results can I expect after a medial thigh lift?

For many patients, a thigh lift can truly be life changing. Despite having lost a great deal of weight and transformed their bodies, many men and women are still unable to wear shorts confidently or participate in certain physical activities comfortably due to excess skin on their thighs. A medial thigh lift can help reduce or eliminate the amount of loose thigh skin that is present, tighten and firm the thigh skin, reduce the appearance of cellulite, and improve a patient’s self-confidence and overall quality of life.

Can I have other procedures performed at the same time as a thigh lift?

It is certainly not uncommon for patients to combine additional procedures with their thigh lift to address a larger number of concerns in one surgical setting. During your preoperative consultation, Dr. Katzen will take ample time to evaluate your case and discuss all of your concerns to come up with a surgical plan that is tailored specifically for you. Many patients opt to undergo one or more of the following procedures at the time of their thigh lift:

• Butt lift
• Tummy tuck
• Breast lift
• Breast augmentation plus lift
• Liposuction
• Facelift
• Necklift
• 360 Circumferential Lower Body Lift

How do I find the best thigh lift surgeon in Beverly Hills?

If you are considering a thigh lift, a lower body lift, or another after weight loss procedure, the first and most important step is to be evaluated by a qualified, certified, and highly experienced plastic surgeon like Dr. Timothy Katzen. Call the office of J. Timothy Katzen, M.D. Beverly Hills to schedule your consultation today, and learn how a medial thigh lift can enhance your look, boost your confidence, and be the final step in your weight loss transformation!