Cincinnati Plastic Surgery Specialists in thighplasty
Thank you for considering UC Health Plastic Surgery for your plastic surgery procedure. We offer a safe, comfortable atmosphere in our modern, state-of-the-art facility located in West Chester, Ohio, convenient to both Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio. We offer a friendly staff of nurses and administrative support to help with your scheduling issues and questions.
What is Thighplasty?
A leg lift or thigh lift, also known as a “thighplasty,” is a surgical procedure designed to tighten and firm the loose skin in the upper leg, thigh and buttocks which often results from significant weight loss or following liposuction for excess fat and tissue in the thighs. A thighplasty will reduce the sagging skin of the inner/outer thigh and buttocks, and may be performed in conjunction with a body lift (lipectomy) to improve overall body contour. Patients considering a thighplasty are strongly encouraged to see a surgeon who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
Procedure Benefits
- Remove excess skin, cellulite, and sagging fatty tissue
- Reshape the thighs and buttocks
- Improve the body’s contour following massive weight loss
- Enhance body contour and symmetry
Private Consultation
Your surgeon, at our conveniently located northern Cincinnati offices, will evaluate your overall health to determine whether you are a candidate for thighplasty. You will discuss your goals and expectations, and your surgeon will explain the surgical options and other body-contouring procedures if appropriate. You should be prepared to discuss your complete medical history, including previous surgery, and any medications you are taking (including vitamins). You will also discuss the cost of the procedure, keeping in mind that this is usually an elective procedure which is not covered by most insurance companies.
Preparation
If you have a medical condition such as high blood pressure, it must be controlled before you can undergo this procedure. For at least two weeks prior to surgery, you must stop taking any blood-thinning medications and herbal supplements. After you have scheduled a surgery date, you will make an appointment for pre-admission testing and a physical exam. The surgery should take place within 2 weeks after the results of these tests have been returned. You will receive guidelines on eating and drinking, taking vitamins and medications, and smoking. Smoking should be stopped 2-3 months before the operation because it reduces the blood supply to tissue. In fact, some surgeons will refuse to perform elective surgery on smokers due to this risk. You should arrange for someone to drive you home from our Cincinnati offices after your surgery and to help you out for a few days if needed.
Procedure Overview
The procedure is performed in 2-4 hours (depending on extent of lift) as an outpatient surgery in our surgical facility in West Chester. You will receive general anaesthesia or a combination of local and regional anaesthesia. Depending on the goals of the procedure, your surgeon may begin by making an incision over the inner thigh, remove excess skin and fat, and then tighten (“lift”) and suture the reshaped skin; this scar will most likely be along the medial thigh and groin crease. If the outer thighs and buttocks are involved, your surgeon will make an incision extending from the groin to the back of the thigh. After surgery, all incisions are closed with sutures and covered with a dressing.
Recovery and Healing Time
You may be released the same day of surgery or spend a night in the hospital, depending on the extent of surgery and how you are recovering. There will be some bruising and swelling, and a tight feeling in your thighs. Any pain and discomfort will be helped by medications prescribed by your surgeon. In addition to dressings, a compression garment and drainage tubes may be used for about 2 weeks to reduce the swelling and maintain the shape of your newly contoured skin. You can probably return to work within 2 weeks, but you should not drive for 2 weeks and avoid exercise for 4-6 weeks. Your surgeon will direct you to do some walking around to help reduce the swelling and to avoid blood clots in your legs. The swelling and bruising should disappear within 3 weeks, although you may have some swelling for 6 months or more. Your surgeon will schedule follow-up visits, and you should not hesitate to call your surgeon between visits if you experience unusual symptoms such as heavy bleeding or pain.
Procedure Risks
- Adverse reaction to anesthesia
- Swelling
- Redness
- Infection
- Scarring
- Nerve damage
- Fluid collection
- Wrinkling, asymmetry, or uneven areas of skin
UC Health Plastic Surgery in West Chester, has three nationally recognized Cincinnati plastic surgeons.
Located north of Cincinnati, we serve West Chester, Mason, Loveland, Indian Hill and the rest of Greater Cincinnati and Dayton for all of their plastic surgery procedure needs.
