Thigh Lift: Worth It?

[JamieLogical 8,684]

I am considering an inner and outer thigh lift. I would prefer that the inner thigh lift only be done with a horizontal incision in the groin crease, as I do not want the vertical scar. For the outer thigh lift, I am hoping the incision can be tied into my existing Tummy Tuck scar.

I am a runner and I'm completing my first half marathon on April 24th. I am concerned about the amount of recovery time I will need before I can start running again. I am worried about the higher risk of incision reopening and infection associated with inner thigh lifts. And I am wondering if it is really worth it. I love the results of my tummy tuck and breast lift w/ implants and would definitely do those procedures all over again, but the thigh lift seems less necessary, more risky, and less likely to have significant results.

For anyone who has had a thigh lift, do you feel it was worth it? What was your recovery like?

[Spiceyfrog 269]

I am just following. Am looking to have a inner thigh lift (hoping they can just pull the outside in, haven't had any consultations yet) and TT at the end of this year.

[jess9395 5,448]

I made the decision for me it wasn't worth it... But as for the running/training it's at least 6 weeks post op before you can run again, often 8 depending on your surgeon. I would wait till after the half marathon!!! In fact I scheduled all my plastics around my running schedule. Had them 10 days after my first marathon so I could take time to recover from both!

I still haven't had a small scar (dog ear) revision done because I haven't found a break long enough in my running schedule!

[JamieLogical 8,684]

I made the decision for me it wasn't worth it... But as for the running/training it's at least 6 weeks post op before you can run again, often 8 depending on your surgeon. I would wait till after the half marathon!!! In fact I scheduled all my plastics around my running schedule. Had them 10 days after my first marathon so I could take time to recover from both!

I still haven't had a small scar (dog ear) revision done because I haven't found a break long enough in my running schedule!

Oh yeah! Obviously waiting until after the half! I was thinking of aiming for September or October, since that will get me through the running season (I live in upstate NY so it gets cold early here). 6-8 weeks of recovery doesn't seem too bad as long as I time it right.

Do you think you may revisit the idea of a thigh lift down the road or have you completely decided against it?

[NewSetOfCurves 1,553]

I had the lower body lift (which--as I am sure you know--lifts the outer thigh) in conjunction with the vertical lift. The cut made to lift the outer thigh, is right along the line of an extended Tummy Tuck, so I think it would go right along with your existing scar. The vertical cuts are right along the groin line. I really love my results, but I did go into it knowing that no matter how tight the doctor pulled on those thighs--especially the outer part--I knew that they would relax some. At 7 weeks post op I went on vacation. Walked around a Water park with the kids, hung out on the beach, walked the beach...no problems. My thighs look much better, I love them and I am even going to hit the beach this spring without a cover up for my legs.

Here is a link to the pic that I posted. It shows my thighs. It is not a quality pic, but it is all I have for now.

http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/360777-nsv-wearing-a-bikini-with-no-coverup-finally/

[AvaFern 3,516]

I had the groin incision thigh lift and the full 360 body lift, which around the hip area pulls the outer thigh up. It was part of my original TT scar, so I'm sure that would also work for you- it just extends the scar a bit further past your hips toward your back. Like you, I had boobs and stomach done and love the results of that procedure but the thigh lift is, eh, not as awesome.

I didn't want the big line running down my legs, so I had the groin incision one and the first time I had it done, I was not thrilled with the results because both of my upper, inner thighs still had wrinkles. My doctor did both inner thighs a second time when I had my third surgery, the back half of the 360 done, and while they are now a whole lot better than they were when I started, it isn't the awesome factor that you get with the boobs and TT. I really don't notice much in terms of the outer thigh lift, however I had all of the extra hip skin taken off and the back skin taken off at the same time, so it's potentially a matter of perspective. I had Lipo on both my inner and outer thighs during an earlier surgery so the swelling would be down when I had the thigh lift done and this allowed for an extra degree of lipo to be done during the thigh procedure. In the end, I still have ugly thighs, lol, although nowhere near as bad as they once were. I had hoped the outer thigh lift and lipo would correct my cellulite issues a little, which it did initially, but now at almost a year post-op since my last thigh procedure my thighs are just as cellulite ridden as before. My inner thighs are certainly an improvement, but unlike the nice, tight lines of a Tummy Tuck, the groin incision thigh lift doesn't give you that. I would still have it done again because it is easier to workout when your legs are not flapping and because I feel like my thighs now just look like a normal, out of shape, slightly flabby girl, instead of a formerly obese, extra skin, floppy girl.

In terms of recovery, I am also a runner and the thigh lift healed very well both times. I had it done the first time at Thanksgiving 2014, and I was back to running my regular distance by the second week of January. The second time I had it done, those scars healed perfectly and had I not had giant issues with my back I would have been good to be running again in 6 weeks. The trick to the groin incision surgery is to make sure you keep it clean and dry, almost obsessively. For the first month, every time I went to the bathroom, I would wipe both scars down with a flushable wipe, then use a damp, clean wash cloth and wipe down both scars again, and then use a hair dryer to dry the scars. Every. single. bathroom. trip. I also used antibacterial soap over my scars during the first month whenever I took a shower and again, dried them with a warm hair dryer anytime I got the scars wet. So freaking annoying, but my groin scars healed quickly and without complications both times.

Also, as an extra note, they place the scar slightly below your groin, so that if you are wearing a bikini bottom you can see the scar. The rationale behind this is that otherwise it is put in a place where it pulls on your labia. My second procedure they cut out both of my first scars and put the second incision below one and above the other. Because the second incision was just a bit too close to the groin line I had my lady bits pulled down on one side. It was insanely annoying for about 6 months, but my doctor told me to be patient and to let the skin heal and he was right- everything was returned to normal down there, lol, While my one incision is very close to the crease of the thigh, the other one you can still see just under where a bikini would run. The scar fades well, and at almost a year out, I can still see them, but they are very light.

So...I would have my procedure done again because I like that my legs are not as bad as they were originally. I would have liked to know going into it though that my results would not be as mindblowingly fabulous as the stomach and boobs were. Also, if you are going to do the outer lift, generally adding the posterior body lift isn't much more expensive, since it's all one big procedure. I notice a big difference in how clothes fit because that hip and butt/back skin is gone now and I only paid for the body lift, so the thighs were a free added bonus, lol.

[jess9395 5,448]

I made the decision for me it wasn't worth it... But as for the running/training it's at least 6 weeks post op before you can run again, often 8 depending on your surgeon. I would wait till after the half marathon!!! In fact I scheduled all my plastics around my running schedule. Had them 10 days after my first marathon so I could take time to recover from both!

I still haven't had a small scar (dog ear) revision done because I haven't found a break long enough in my running schedule!

Oh yeah! Obviously waiting until after the half! I was thinking of aiming for September or October, since that will get me through the running season (I live in upstate NY so it gets cold early here). 6-8 weeks of recovery doesn't seem too bad as long as I time it right.

Do you think you may revisit the idea of a thigh lift down the road or have you completely decided against it?

Most days I think I've completely decided against it, then I go to yoga class in shorts and look at them in Down Dog and think I may reconsider one day LOL

[CowgirlJane 14,259]

I completely regret the thigh lift on the right side because I have had terrible complications. Left side, was a breeze. My primary care doc told me a year from now it will be a distant memory and you will be so happy you did this. My reply was unless I wind up with legs like Taylor Swift...so NOT worth it. Ha. But, that's just because I had a complication and am still in hell. Ask me in about a month and I can give you the whole story because I have fairly unique thigh issues - firm and muscular all the way around except for a terrible pocket of cellulite and skin in the upper inner thigh. When I had my LBL, did the groin incision small thigh lift and it improved it so much, but in 2 years the problem had returned

Turns out thigh fat cells are really mean and grow new ones even though I have maintained my weight! Anyway, that is the sad story of how I wound up getting just a little thigh work done while my breast revision was underway.

I'll let you know how it turns out in the end. Left one looks good!

[JamieLogical 8,684]

@@AvaFern Thank you for all that detailed info, it's very helpful. I had an extended Tummy Tuck, so my TT scar already goes almost all the way around my body (ends about an inch short of my butt crack on either end), so I don't see any reason why my outer thigh lift incision can't just be tied into that. You have given me some hope at least. I don't expect perfection, just improvement. I'm 36 years old and not getting any younger. I don't expect the thighs of a teenager and I certainly don't expect to be cellulite-free!

[AvaFern 3,516]

@@JamieLogical

Your outer thigh lift can totally be pulled into your TT scar then! I'm 32, lol, and I wanted the thighs of a teenager, dammit. Overall though, while I am very happy with the upper half of my body, my thighs are substantially improved from where they started at even if they were not as exciting as my other results. With tights and pants my thighs look great though and I would do it all over again.

[My Bariatric Life 764]

YES. YES. YES. Yes x 100 the inner thigh lift was worth it for me. I was super concerned about the scar prior to surgery because my plastic surgeon, Dr. Capella, said he would have to run it down to my knees. But the result of not getting crotch wedgies when I wear shorts, having my legs rub together when I walk, and now being able to look great in short skirts and bathing suits, well hell yes it was worth it. I absolutely love my inner thigh lift.

Recovery from the thigh lift was pretty easy for me. Surely much easier than the Tummy Tuck. I, too, am a runner (or at least I was until I injured myself -- still recovering).

The inner thigh lift is a difficult procedure that many plastic surgeons cannot well perform. I've talked to, as well as read plastic surgeons say this for themselves on RealSelf, that the procedure doesn't yield good results. When I asked Dr. Capella if it was a hard surgery to do, he told me "not if you know what you are doing."

If you do decide to have this procedure done, then choose your plastic surgeon very wisely. Good luck on your decision! BTW you can see my thigh lift pix on flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/mybariatriclife/albums/72157647436393788

[JamieLogical 8,684]

@@My Bariatric Life Thanks for your perspective. There certainly seem to be a full range of opinions already. I am definitely leaning more toward having it done at this point. Just need to figure out the timing, financing, and logistics. I already know which surgeon I will use, so at least that's an easy part of the process. I have no desire to go to any surgeon other than the one who already did the rest of my plastics, as I know and trust her.

[My Bariatric Life 764]

It is a sacred relationship, Jamie. I am glad you have a surgeon you know and trust. Is she planning on the groin incision only?

[JamieLogical 8,684]

It is a sacred relationship, Jamie. I am glad you have a surgeon you know and trust. Is she planning on the groin incision only?

We're still discussing it. I really want the groin incision only. She has, of course, told me that the vertical incision with have better results. I have to decide if the better results are worth the scar. Ultimately it will be up to me. I really like that right now, all of my scars are in places that you can only see them if I'm naked. Any bra covers my breast scars and even the skimpiest underwear covers my Tummy Tuck scars. I am apprehensive of a scar that would show in shorts.

[MichiganChic 3,262]

It was worth it for me. My experience is very much like @@AvaFern in that it is not the huge wow factor of the TT and breasts, and in my case, arms. However, I started with super saggy, flappy inner thighs that had huge areas of "dripping fat". I have the vertical lift (also had a 360 lift), and I look much more like a normal 53 year old with slightly heavy thighs.

I have lots of cellulite and skin not that tight. I had a terrible seroma that took 4 months and 3 surgeries to heal and left me with little residual swelling just above my toes. After all of that surgery, I ended up with horrible saddle bags, and the right leg was bigger than the left. Just had lots of Lipo about 5 weeks ago, and the saddle bags are way better, and my legs are much more equal in size. I can't tell for sure how it will be, because I still have some swelling. I also noticed that after 12 months from the vertical thigh lift, I started getting that bulge in my upper inner thigh again! @@CowgirlJane is right - that nasty thigh fat IS different and it DOES come back, even after all that!! So, that was liposuctioned out, too.

So even after all that, I would do it again. You have to consider your starting point when considering the impact in the end. I look very good in clothes, and many, many times better than before, so I don't regret the pain, misery, complications, time, and money I spent on it.