Thigh Lift Surgery (Thighplasty) in Houston, TX

Since shorts season is extra long in Houston, excess skin on the thighs that need to be covered with pants can make you feel uncomfortable and left out on fashion options. Age, weight loss, genetics, and other factors may leave you with loose, sagging skin on your thighs that are not only unattractive, but can be a medical concern. Thigh lift surgery, also known as a thighplasty, removes excess skin from the inner and/or outer thighs for smoother contours and a firmer appearance. Dr. Rafi Bidros, a board-certified Houston plastic surgeon, performs thigh lift surgery to help patients address loose skin and stubborn pockets of fat to create more attractive, better-proportioned legs that look great in shorts and swimsuits.

Loose skin can cause rashes, skin infections, and other unwanted issues that impact your quality of life. Removing this skin is sometimes necessary for both medical and aesthetic reasons. Dr. Bidros strives to help all patients look and feel their best through this life-changing procedure. Some benefits associated with a thigh lift include:

• Reduced skin irritation and infections
• Less chafing when exercising
• Clothes that fit better and look better on your body
• A more youthful appearance
• Improved self-confidence

Thigh lift surgery is a skin removal and skin tightening treatment that improves the appearance of excess skin. Thigh lift surgery is typically an after weight loss treatment. It is typically performed on patients who have lost 100 or more pounds. It is also helpful for older men and women who are battling excess skin due to age, as well as women whose body shape changed due to pregnancy and childbirth. If you have loose, hanging, or wrinkly skin on your upper thighs ( either the inner or outer thighs or both), a thigh lift may be helpful. Please keep in mind that if cellulite is the main issue, Dr. Bidros can recommend other procedures that may help reduce the look of cellulite.

Dr. Bidros does his best to place incisions for a thigh lift in less visible areas of the body, such as inside the groin, to minimize the appearance of scarring. Once the incisions are made, the loose skin is excised and Dr. Bidros will remove any needed fat. Then, Dr. Bidros will smooth, reshape, and tighten the thigh muscles and tissue before carefully closing the incisions. In some cases, Dr. Bidros will use deep support sutures to keep the muscles and tissues in the correct position while the patient heals.

A thigh lift is usually performed as an outpatient surgery in an accredited surgical facility with the patient under general anesthesia. After the surgery, Dr. Bidros will clean and bandage the surgical incisions before putting the patient in a compression garment, which will minimize swelling during the recovery. Some patients may have drains placed to remove excess fluid and blood. Patients should wear their compression garment for 4 - 6 weeks after their surgery and attend all follow up appointments with Dr. Bidros. While some results may be seen right after the surgery, the final results will not be visible until the bruising and swelling have subsided. Patients will notice a dramatic improvement in the contour of their thigh and the condition of their skin.

Good candidates for thigh lift surgery will have excess skin in their inner and/or outer thigh who may also have some excess fat in the area. Patients should be in good health and at a healthy, stable weight before their surgery. Dr. Bidros will assess each candidates needs, concerns, goals, and medical history during thigh lift consultations.

While a small amount of excess fat may be removed during a thigh lift to create a smoother contour, liposuction is typically not included with a thigh lift. Patients may talk to Dr. Bidros about combining a thigh lift and liposuction if they want to address both excess fat and skin during the surgery.

Each patient will be given specific post operative care instructions that will include how to care for incisions, what medications to take, what medications to avoid, scar care management, and when to make follow up appointments with Dr. Bidros. Patients will also be told what to expect during their recovery and any signs of concern that they should watch for and report.

When you have extra skin on your thighs that creates embarrassment or anxiety, we encourage you to contact MyBodyMD in Houston, TX to find out more about surgical thigh lifts. It's common for patients to combine this procedure with other contouring procedures, particularly ones that address the lower body including abdominoplasty or a lift for the lower body, depending on your specific goals. Schedule your appointment with Dr. Bidros and get the slimmer look you desire.