Many women wish for beautiful, slim legs. Unfortunately, however, the skin of many people slackens more and more, and unattractive dimples form on the thighs. Possible causes are the natural ageing process, but also frequent and significant weight reductions as well as pregnancies. In addition to dimples, large fat accumulations also occur. Especially on the inner sides of the thighs, slack folds of skin form that rub against each other when walking and can cause skin irritation. A thigh lift improves the silhouette of the legs and leads to a firmer appearance.
What is a thigh lift?
A thigh lift is a surgical procedure that optimises the appearance of the thigh. The legs subsequently appear considerably slimmer, firmer and younger. Patients once again enjoy showing themselves in short clothing and their sense of well-being is better.
Tightening the thighs makes sense if you wish for more firmness in your legs where there is slackened, excess skin, e.g. after weight loss or pregnancy. Usually, no improvements can be achieved through diets or exercise. A tightening operation can also reduce stretch marks in the treated areas. Before the operation, however, you should have reached your desired weight so that the result can be maintained.
Thigh lift in Vienna – why choose Dr. Özdemir?
Dr. Özdemir is a specialist in Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery and an experienced expert in the field of thigh lifts. In the consultation, he forms a picture of your wishes and goals. He advises you on which treatment is most sensible in your case. If the skin is still firm and elastic, liposuction may be sufficient. With slackened tissue, on the other hand, a surgical procedure is necessary. In some cases, a combination of liposuction and leg tightening is sensible. Dr. Özdemir informs you in detail about the desired therapy and the respective advantages and risks.
How does a thigh lift work?
The procedure is usually carried out on an inpatient basis under general anaesthesia. Dr. Özdemir first precisely marks the places where incisions are to be made. Two different techniques are available, depending on the extent of the slackened tissue.
C-incision: mini thigh lift
An inconspicuous incision is made in the groin area, running from the groin crease over the perineal area to the gluteal fold (C-incision). The skin is then loosened and pulled upwards. The excess skin is then removed together with the fatty tissue and sutured again. The skin is attached to the inguinal ligament and the pubic bone. Thanks to a special suture technique, the scars are afterwards very inconspicuous and are covered by bikini bottoms or underwear.
T-incision:
If the removal of more slackened tissue is necessary, an incision on the inner thigh may also be required (T-incision). This runs towards the knee. This also removes existing stretch marks in this area. With this long incision, the scars are visible afterwards, but they fade over time.
Which incision is chosen depends on the excess of soft tissue and skin and on the skin quality. The procedure can also be combined with a buttock lift and augmentation.
Combination with liposuction
If there are also large fat accumulations on the outer thighs (so-called “saddlebags”), as with regional obesity, a lifting operation can be combined with liposuction. When tightening extremities (arms, legs), however, simultaneous liposuction is usually not recommended, but is often carried out in two stages. If liposuction alone does not yet bring a satisfactory result, a thigh lift can then be performed. In some cases, a refining liposuction can also be carried out after a leg lift and once the swelling has subsided, in order to harmonise the contour.
After the thigh lift
At the end of the operation, we fit you with a compression garment that must be worn in the first 4 weeks after the surgery. As self-dissolving sutures are used, they do not have to be removed. After about 14 days you are fit for work again. In addition, you should avoid physical exertion and exercise for about 6 weeks. Furthermore, the scar must not be exposed to direct sunlight (or solarium) in the first six months after the leg lift, as this could promote discolouration and increased conspicuousness of the scar.
