For many individuals, the thighs can be one of the toughest areas to trim and tone, with excess fat and loose skin sometimes persisting despite even the most responsible of lifestyles. If you’ve been looking for a way to enjoy slimmer, more shapely legs, a thigh lift at our Sarasota or Tampa location might be a perfect option for you. We’ll work closely with you to determine the exact procedure that’s right for you, so you can look and feel your absolute best.
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Am I a Good Candidate?
The ideal candidate for a thigh lift procedure at our Sarasota or Tampa facility will be at or close to their ideal weight, and will be able to maintain a stable weight for some time.
If you’re planning a pregnancy in the near future, or if you anticipate a significant amount of weight loss sometime soon, it’s probably best to postpone your thigh lift until after these events have occurred, to optimize your results. In most cases, these types of body change can impact the outcome of your surgery.
Planning Your Surgery
During your initial consultation, Dr. Kreithen will inquire about your medical history, prior procedures, medications, allergies, and your motivations for seeking plastic surgery.
When asked about medications, be sure to include any vitamin or herbal preparations, as these can affect your blood pressure and clotting ability. Honesty regarding your use of tobacco and alcohol is also very important, as these may have a profound impact on your recovery period and your ability to heal following your procedure.
Dr. Kreithen will discuss the specifics of the procedure with you, as well as the benefits and risks in depth. At the completion of your consultation, you will meet with our patient coordinator. You will be given an estimate of the cost of your procedure , and have the option to schedule your procedure if you so choose. You are also encouraged to bring your spouse, significant other, family member, or a friend to your consultation. Dr. Kreithen realizes the importance of your decision, and will be happy to meet with you a second time to discuss the surgery.
Types of Anesthesia
Anesthesia is an essential part of any surgical procedure and must be performed safely. General anesthesia is the deepest form of anesthesia. You are asleep, feel no pain, and will not remember the procedure.
Intravenous sedation, called “twilight sleep,” is a combination of local anesthetic and intravenous sedation. You breathe for yourself, but are in a deep sleep, should feel no pain, and will not remember the procedure.
The Surgical Procedure
Thigh lift surgery usually takes three to six hours to perform, depending on the severity of your condition and the amount of correction required. After you are properly anesthetized, Dr. Kreithen will make the incisions necessary for removal of excess skin and fat.
Depending on the amount of improvement you desire, this incision may extend all the way around the thigh or only part of the way around the thigh in the groin crease between the trunk and the thigh.
After the incision has been made, Dr. Kreithen gently elevates the skin and fat off of the underlying muscles of the thighs. Dr. Kreithen removes excess skin and fat and drapes the skin over the underlying muscles.
The incisions are carefully closed in multiple layers of strong sutures to minimize your scar. Dr. Kreithen may use a technique in which all of the sutures are placed beneath the skin and are absorbed by your body.
A sterile dressing is applied to the incisions, and a compression garment is placed over your thighs. This compression garment helps support your legs during healing, decreases postoperative swelling, and helps decrease any bruising that may occur.
After Your Surgery
Thigh lift surgery must be performed as an inpatient procedure unless only a very minor lift is being performed. For anything more than just the simplest thigh lift, you must stay in the hospital at least one night following your surgery, and some patients choose to stay several nights to avoid placing undue stress on your incisions during the initial postoperative period.
Following thigh lift surgery, many Sarasota thigh lift patients experience an immediate improvement in their self-esteem and discover greater self-confidence. In addition, many also find greater access to different clothing styles and fashions and are less self-conscious at the gym, around the pool, or at the beach.
Complications
Post-operative complications, such as infectilon and blood clots, are rare but can occur. Infection can be treated with drainage and antibiotics. You can minimize the risk of blood clots by moving around as soon as possible after your plastic surgery in Sarasota / Bradenton.
Additionally, there is a possibility of a post-operative blood clot or persistent fluid collection in the wound that may need intervention. Smokers must stop at least one month prior to and after the operation, as smoking may increase the risk of complications and delay healing.
You can reduce your risk of complications by closely following Dr. Kreithen’s instructions before and after the surgery, especially with regard to when and how you should resume physical activity.
Scarring
There will be a scar on your inner thigh. There is a possibility of having delayed healing of this scar or even an open wound that may take several weeks to heal. The scar may be unattractive for several months. Poor healing, which results in conspicuous scars, may necessitate a second operation.
Getting Back to Normal
After Dr. Kreithen discharges you from the hospital, you will need to be taken home by a friend or family member. You will be prescribed antibiotics and pain medication. Most patients find that they are able to transition to Tylenol after three or four days. It is not safe to drive a car within 24 hours of taking pain medication, as your reflexes and alertness may be altered.
You should plan to take it easy following your surgery. Vigorous exercise, however, should be avoided until you can do it comfortably, approximately 4 to 6 weeks after the surgery. You may lift up to ten pounds in each hand during the initial six week period. You should plan to wear the compression garment for three weeks following surgery. Dr. Kreithen will remove the drainage tubes within several days following surgery.
Your New Look
You will notice an improvement in your thigh contour immediately. However, your shape will continue to improve in the following weeks as the mild swelling subsides.
You should be up and walking the day following surgery to prevent blood clots from forming in the legs.
Your legs will be sore for several days, but this will rapidly subside. You should be able to resume your normal daily activities within several days following surgery, and you should be able to resume all of your physical activities within four to six weeks of surgery.
Dr. Kreithen recognizes that each patient has unique aesthetic needs and desires. This is why he creates an individual treatment plan for each one of his Sarasota liposuction, tummy tuck, arm lift and thigh lift patients. If the patient requires a more comprehensive surgical approach, Dr. Kreithen might recommend that he or she undergo a lower body lift or a combination of post-bariatric plastic surgery procedures.