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Thigh Lift Surgery Sydney (Thigh Lipectomy)

Thigh Lift Surgery Sydney (Thigh Lipectomy)

A thigh lift (also known as thigh reduction surgery, thigh lipectomy, or thighplasty) can surgically remove excess skin and fat from the thighs. It is often performed to remove excess skin after significant weight loss, as the skin does not always retract after the body loses a high amount of weight.

The surgery can be performed with different techniques and can be an inner or outer thigh lift, depending on the areas that will be addressed. The procedure may also include liposuction to remove excess fat pockets.

What is a thigh lift?

A thigh lift is aimed at removing excess skin and fat from the thigh area. The procedure is typically performed on patients who have experienced massive weight loss, as the skin doesn’t always contract or bounce back.

The excess skin and fat pockets on the thighs can cause discomfort, irritation, rashes, and mobility issues, making daily activities such as walking or exercising more difficult.

Depending on the patient’s needs and the areas of concern, thigh reduction surgery may involve incisions along the inner thigh, groin, or upper outer thigh to effectively remove and tighten the remaining skin.

Although it can involve liposuction, a thighplasty is not a weight loss procedure (in fact, neither is liposuction as an individual procedure), and only involves removing targeted fat deposits that remain in the area despite weight loss efforts.

Thigh Lift Surgery Sydney (Thigh Lipectomy)

Your thigh lift consultation at Aesthetic Edge in Sydney

Your thighplasty consultation will involve an assessment of your medical history and your current general health to determine your suitability for surgery.

You’ll have a thorough discussion with your surgeon about your goals and expectations, which will help you understand if thigh reduction surgery aligns with what you’re hoping to achieve. Based on your individual needs, your surgeon will provide advice on whether or not a thighplasty is the most appropriate option for you.

Preparing for a thigh lipectomy can involve making some adjustments to medications or supplements and will typically require you to quit smoking if you are a smoker. During your consultation, you’ll discuss these preparation instructions and be able to ask any questions you may have.

You will need a referral from your GP before booking your consultation. If you have any questions about the consultation process, please get in touch with our team.

Suitable candidates for thigh lift surgery

You may be a suitable candidate for a thigh lipectomy if you want to address concerns related to loose or excess skin on the thighs for aesthetic purposes, improve mobility, reduce discomfort, skin irritation, or address other concerns.

To be suitable for thighplasty, you should be in good health and at a stable and healthy weight. Your expectations for the results of the surgery should be realistic, and you should be able to follow preparation and recovery instructions. Suitable candidates should be non-smokers, so smokers will typically be instructed to quit before surgery and continue to refrain from smoking during recovery. Candidates should not be pregnant or breastfeeding at the time of undergoing surgery.

Ensuring your suitability for thigh lift surgery will help your surgeon minimise and prevent complications, and ensure that you have selected the procedure that aligns with your expectations in terms of the results it can achieve.

Thigh Lift Surgery Sydney (Thigh Lipectomy) - 1
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The thigh lift procedure

You can discuss what you can expect on the day of your procedure with your surgeon, and what you can do to prepare.

A thighplasty is performed under general anaesthesia, at the hospital of your choice. Your surgeon will begin the procedure with an incision near the groin, around the top of the thigh. When placing incisions, your surgeon will try to minimise the scar’s visibility, but scarring can still occur, as with any other surgery. The excess skin can then be accessed, typically pulled upwards and tightened in the area, before being stitched into place. Any excess skin can then be removed.

Depending on the specific areas of the thigh that you need to address, an inner (medial) or outer (lateral) thigh lift can be performed.

An inner (medial) thigh lift is designed for areas of the inner thigh that are difficult to tone through exercise. It involves making an incision along the area where the thigh meets the pubic area, to remove excess skin and sometimes pockets of excess fat.

An outer (lateral) thigh lift focuses on removing excess skin from the front and outer areas of the thigh. The incision is typically placed along the upper outer thigh, near the hip, where it can be concealed by underwear or swimwear.

Another option is to undergo an inner thigh lift with liposuction, which can address deposits of fat and extend the targeted areas to down the inner thigh.

The type of thigh reduction surgery you will need can be determined during your consultation with your surgeon, and the procedure steps can be explained in more detail.

Recovery after thigh lift surgery

Recovery after a thigh lipectomy will typically require several weeks of dedicated rest and care, following recovery instructions provided by your surgeon.

You’ll likely spend about three nights in the hospital, and once you’re able to move around comfortably, particularly getting to and from the bathroom, you’ll typically be able to return home. You will need to keep your movements light and limited for the first two to three days while your body begins to heal.

When it comes to work, you’ll typically need to take about three weeks off to allow yourself enough time to heal. Full recovery, including returning to all of your normal activities like exercise, will take around six weeks. During the first three weeks, you’ll need to avoid strenuous exercise and activities – particularly, avoid anything that pushes your heart rate over 100 beats per minute.

As well as avoiding physically demanding activities, you should also avoid steam rooms, saunas, and any other sources of excess heat. You’ll also need to avoid smoking and consuming alcohol for at least two weeks after surgery, as both can interfere with recovery. Eating nutritious foods and staying hydrated will also be important steps during your recovery.

Discomfort can normally be managed with prescribed pain medication, and complications that can occur at incision sites, such as infection, can be prevented with sufficient wound care.

You’ll have follow-up appointments with your surgeon, starting within the first week after surgery and continuing in the weeks and months that follow. Follow-ups are essential when it comes to monitoring your body’s healing progress and spotting any possible complications early.

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Costs of thigh lift surgery at Aesthetic Edge in Sydney

The cost of thigh lipectomy surgery can vary significantly from one patient to another. Factors like the type of procedure, the length of the surgery, and what needs to be achieved all play a role in determining the procedure’s costs.

At your first consultation, your surgeon will review your medical history and carefully assess the condition of your thighs. They will then tailor the procedure steps to meet your needs, which will then determine the factors that will influence the costs of the procedure. Sometimes, the procedure may need to be combined with other surgeries, which will also affect the costs.

As for Medicare cover, although a thigh lipectomy can be classified as a cosmetic procedure, there are situations where the procedure is considered to be medically necessary.

If a patient can meet Medicare’s requirements and show that the procedure is a medical necessity (such as the excess skin is causing discomfort, mobility issues or skin conditions), they may be able to receive cover for some of the procedure costs.

One of the conditions for this rebate is that your weight must have been stable for at least six months before the surgery.

Essentially, to find out about the costs of your procedure accurately and according to your personal situation and needs, you’ll need to have a consultation with your surgeon.

Possible risks and complications

You’ll be informed of the possible risks and complications of a thigh lipectomy during your consultation, and the instructions to follow that will help minimise these risks.

Possible complications of the surgery include infection at the incision sites, which may require antibiotics or further treatment, and excessive bleeding either during or after the surgery. Some patients may experience adverse reactions to anaesthesia, which is why your medical history is carefully reviewed beforehand. Changes in skin sensation, such as numbness, tingling, or even hypersensitivity in the operated area can also occur, and these sensations may be temporary or, in rare cases, permanent. Fluid accumulation beneath the skin, known as seroma, is another potential complication and additional treatment may be needed to drain the fluid. Other rare but possible risks include blood clots, delayed wound healing, or uneven results, which also may require further treatment.

Scarring is a natural part of the healing process, although your surgeon will aim to minimise scarring where possible. Some patients are prone to more noticeable or raised scars, so it’s important to discuss your skin type and healing history after past surgeries during your initial consultation.

Thigh Lift Surgery Sydney (Thigh Lipectomy)

Thigh Lift Surgery (Thigh Lipectomy) FAQs

You’ll see a difference right away after your thigh lift, but it’s important to give your body time to heal. Swelling needs to subside and the incisions need to completely heal before you can really see the final results, which can take a few months.
Scarring is a natural part of healing after a surgical procedure with incisions. Your surgeon will aim to minimise scarring, and incisions may be placed in areas that can be easily covered with clothing.