Redefining Leg Contours with Thigh Lift Aesthetics (Thigh Lift)
The thigh area, the upper part of the legs, is one of the areas most prone to skin laxity and sagging due to sudden and large weight changes (especially after bariatric surgery), pregnancy processes, and natural aging. This excess loose skin on the inner thighs not only causes an aesthetically unpleasant appearance; it can also lead to friction-related irritation and hygiene problems. Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery Specialist Prof. Dr. Osman Kelahmetoğlu aims to permanently solve these problems with Thigh Lift Surgery (Thigh Lift) and achieve tighter, smoother, and aesthetic leg contours.
Basic Causes of Thigh Sagging and Surgical Solution
Relaxation in the thigh area is usually a condition where the skin loses its elasticity and sags despite the decrease in subcutaneous fat tissue. Although diet and intense exercise strengthen the muscles, they are insufficient in tightening the excess skin that has once lost its elasticity. Thigh lift operation involves the surgical removal of this excess and sagged skin and, if necessary, the fat tissue underneath.
Surgical Techniques and Scar Management Strategies
Thigh lift operation is personalized with different techniques according to the patient's degree of sagging, distribution, and amount of fat:
Medial Thigh Lift (Inner Thigh): It is the most frequently applied technique. It is preferred when the sagging shows a horizontal distribution rather than vertical.
Incision: The incision is hidden along the groin crease. Since the incision scar remains under underwear or bikini, it is difficult to notice from the outside.
Vertical Thigh Lift (Vertical/L Incision): It is applied in cases where the sagging is very high in both vertical and horizontal directions after excessive weight loss.
Incision: It involves an incision extending vertically from the groin towards the inner part of the knee. This method allows for the removal of the maximum amount of excess skin and provides the most effective tightening.
Combination with Liposuction: If there is both excess fat and skin laxity in the thigh area, liposuction is applied to remove excess fat tissue before starting the surgical procedure. In this way, the area is both thinned and the stretching process becomes more successful and aesthetic.
Recovery Process and Things to Consider
Thigh lift operation usually lasts an average of 1 to 2 hours under general anesthesia. After the operation, it is essential to wear a special thigh corset in order to reduce the tension of the suture line and to control the edema.
First Days: Since the operation area is in a mobile and hygiene-sensitive area (near the groin and urinary tract), maximum attention should be paid to special care and hygiene rules. Temporary complaints such as pain, ache, and difficulty walking are managed with prescription medications.
Return to Daily Life: Usually, light daily activities and desk jobs can be returned to within 7 to 10 days.
Full Recovery: Strenuous exercise and challenging physical activities should be avoided for at least 1 month. It may take several months for the final aesthetic results to fully settle and for the scars to mature.
Thigh lift aesthetics not only improves physical appearance; it has a direct positive effect on the person's quality of life by reducing skin problems caused by friction in the legs and increasing self-confidence.