Thigh Lift

Schedule

A thigh lift (thighplasty) consists of the removal of excess skin and fat from either the inner or outer upper thigh. This body contouring procedure is often performed after significant weight loss, aging or when diet and exercise have failed to remove excess skin and fat from the thighs. During a thigh lift, Dr. Capek may also utilize liposuction in combination with surgical skin removal to optimize the shape of your thighs. Your thigh lift results typically last for years and are best maintained with a healthy lifestyle, including staying at a healthy weight and regular exercise.

Am I a Good Candidate?

If you are in general good health and have positive, realistic expectations for the outcome of this procedure, you are most likely a good candidate. Common reasons why you may consider a thigh lift include:

  • You want your thighs to have a better, more proportioned contour and a firmer look and feel.
  • You have undergone massive weight loss on your own or after bariatric surgery.
  • You are distressed about loose, flabby skin on your thighs.
  • You have difficulty fitting into clothing because of heavy thighs that also have a component of loose skin.

As with all cosmetic procedures, good health and reasonable expectations of the outcome are important. Dr. Capek will also consider the following before recommending thigh lift surgery:

  • You should not be obese and weight loss prior to thigh lift surgery may be required to minimize the risk of serious complications and to optimize your cosmetic outcome.
  • You cannot smoke for at least 6 weeks before or 6 weeks after this surgery. Major wound healing problems and other life-threatening complications are much more likely in smokers.
  • You can accept the trade-off of permanent scars for the major shape improvement you are likely to see.

board-certified plastic surgeon

DR. LUCIE CAPEK

Dr. Lucie Capek offers advanced cosmetic plastic surgery from the unique perspective of a female plastic surgeon. Since 1996, she has been serving patients in the Capital District from Albany, Saratoga, Schenectady, and Troy, NY. She is known for using the latest technology to perform body contouring, breast surgery, and facial cosmetic surgery. She personalizes every treatment to give each patient the most natural-looking results, enhancing their beauty and increasing their self-confidence. Above all, her practice is dedicated to your health and wellness. Dr. Capek understands that your beauty and confidence is about more than just your appearance. To schedule your first consultation, contact Lucie Capek, MD.

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BEFORE YOUR PROCEDURE

An initial consultation with Dr. Capek is necessary to discuss your goals and to review the best course of treatment for your specific concerns. Dr. Capek uses different types of thigh lift surgery, often in combination with liposuction, to give you the best possible contour. She will carefully examine you, review your health history, and answer your questions. You will have a thorough understanding of your surgery plan at the end of your visit. Being prepared for the procedure is your first step in ensuring a positive outcome.

As always, you want to be in optimum health when considering elective surgery. Follow a healthy lifestyle, including diet and exercise, don’t smoke since this decreases your body’s ability to heal normally and increases the likelihood of serious complications, and follow your primary care physician’s advice when treating chronic conditions like high blood pressure.

Your Procedure

A thigh lift, or thighplasty, is typically performed under general anesthesia in our QuadA-accredited office-based operating suite, Capek Surgical Arts, or a hospital operating room. There are several kinds of inner thigh lifts, including an upper medial thigh lift and vertical medical thigh lift. Outer thigh lifts are most often performed as part of a lower body lift.

Medial Thigh Lift

This can be done using 2 types of incisions. For patients with less loose skin and fat, Dr. Capek will make an incision in the groin area, and any excess fat and skin will be removed along the upper inner thighs. Liposuction can be used depending on your individual requirements. The relatively concealed scar falls along the groin, upper thigh creast and extends to the crease below the buttock, and the upper inner thigh appears tighter and slimmer after the procedure.

If you have a lot of loose skin that also affects the front and back of the thighs, you may be a great candidate for a vertical (extended) medial thigh lift. The incision is placed vertically along the inside of the thigh, where the inseam of your pants would fall, and extends from the groin to the knee in most cases. SmartLipo or VASER LipoSelection and PAL are frequently done at the same time to remove excess fat and contour the thighs and knees. This surgery gives the most dramatic improvement in thigh contour because it reduces the tissues around the whole ‘cylinder’ of the thighs making them noticeably thinner and tighter.

Lateral Thigh Lift

Dr. Capek typically performs an outer thigh lift as part of a belt lipectomy and lower body lift in patients who have undergone major weight loss. The scar usually goes all the way around the lower body, including a typical tummy tuck scar above the pubic area and groins. The outer thighs are usually contoured with liposuction at the same time, with VASER LipoSelection and PAL, and the buttocks are also lifted. The appearance of cellulite on the outer thighs can be improved with this procedure. As well.

After Your Procedure

After Dr. Capek completes your procedure, you will be taken to a recovery area to be monitored and then discharged home. Immediately after your surgery, you can expect to wear a compression garment to minimize swelling and bruising. This is usually worn for a few weeks, though you can briefly remove the garment to shower daily beginning 2 days after surgery. Dr. Capek uses dissolvable sutures inside the incisions and glue on the outside, so wound care is minimal unless you have a complication. You can expect some discomfort, but this is significantly reduced with a combination of over-the-counter and prescribed medications.

After your surgery, you should get up and walk around frequently to help with circulation and to minimize the risk of blood clots. You can expect some bruising and swelling during recovery, which usually heals over several weeks, though finally results take 6 months or longer. Generally, patients can drive and return to work 1-2 weeks after surgery. You can resume more intense physical activities after about eight weeks. Follow-up appointments will be scheduled with Dr. Capek to ensure you are healing properly.

It is critically important to follow Dr. Capek’s post-operative instructions, which include details on post-operative activity and healing expectations. Be carefully not to overdo it and remember that recovery times may vary from patient to patient. It’s also important to live a healthy lifestyle, including diet and exercise, to maintain your results.

What are the Risks?

Although serious complications from thigh lifts are rare, every surgical procedure carries some risk. Trade-offs which cannot be avoided include permanent scars and sensation alteration (numbness, which typically takes a year to improve maximally. Potential complications of thigh lifts include adverse reactions to anesthesia, infection, bleeding, fluid collections, poor scarring or wound healing problems, and allergic reactions. However, under the care of Dr. Capek, the risk of adverse events can be reduced by following her advice and instructions before and after surgery.

QuadA Accredited

CAPEK SURGICAL ARTS

Dr. Capek is pleased to offer her patients an intimate, comfortable and discreet surgical experience at Capek Surgical Arts (CSA), her state-of-the-art Quad A accredited operating suite right here in Latham, NY. You can undergo your procedure under the expert care of board-certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Capek and her exceptional team of anesthesia and clinical staff without having to go to a hospital or surgery center.. Cae you can expect with Dr. Capek and her team.

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Schedule a Consultation

Patients throughout the Capital District areas of Albany, Schenectady, Troy, and Saratoga trust board-certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Lucie Capek to perform their thigh lift surgery. Many of our patients also travel across state lines just to receive her skilled and compassionate care with every major surgery.

If you are dissatisfied with the excess skin and fat on your thighs, contact us today to see if a thigh lift is right for you! Our office is just 9 miles from Schenectady and 5 miles from Troy, New York.

SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION

For more information, schedule your consultation appointment with Dr. Capek today!

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