Thigh lift is surgery that removes excess skin and fat from your thighs. The goal of the procedure is to improve the appearance of your thighs by removing the “dimpled look” produced by cellulite. Some surgeons say the procedure is more effective for the front and side thigh areas, less effective for the back and inside areas. The incision does leave a scar at the hip, but it fades in time and can be hidden by a bathing suit.

A thigh lift usually lasts several hours and can be an outpatient procedure or require a short hospital stay. You may be given local or general anesthesia depending on the surgical plan you and your doctor have developed. The surgery begins with an incision in the groin area, near the hip. After the incision is made, your surgeon separates the skin on your thigh from the fat and muscle below by pulling the flap of skin upwards. Then, your surgeon removes the excess skin and stretches the remaining skin back in place.

When the procedure is complete, your surgeon closes the incisions with small stitches and covers them with bandages. A small drainage tube may be inserted in your skin for several days to drain excess fluid from the surgery.

Brachioplasty (Arm Lift)

Loss of skin elasticity in the upper arm is a problem that can be seen with increasing age or after significant weight loss.

The primary method to tighten the skin of the upper arm and remove excess fat is called a brachioplasty. The most common way this is done is by an incision that extends from the armpit to the elbow located on the inner arm or on the back of the arm. This technique allows for maximum skin and fat removal. Variants of this technique may use a less extensive incision where less skin and fat removal is necessary. Your cosmetic surgeon will review your situation and recommend the appropriate incision type for you.

Who is a Candidate?

• Men and women who are in good health
• Men and women who have moderate to severe skin laxity of the upper arms
• Patients after significant amount of weight loss from dieting and/or surgery such as lap band or Gastric Bypass

Intended Results

• Improved contour of the upper arm.
• Decreased size of the upper arm by removal of excess skin and fat
• Decreased skin laxity of the upper arm by tightening the skin envelop

Procedure Description

• Arm reduction is usually performed in an accredited office facility, outpatient surgical facility or in the hospital.
• The surgery may be performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with conscious sedation.
• Liposuction is performed on the arm if significant fat removal is required,
• An incision is usually made in the armpit extending to the elbow on the inner arm.
• Excess skin is removed and the incision is closed with sutures.
• Drain use is variable.
• The arms are usually wrapped with an elastic dressing.

Recuperation and Healing

• Recovery may be at home with a responsible adult, in a recovery facility or overnight in the hospital.
• A compression garment may be worn on the arms for approximately two weeks.
• Bruising and swelling are normal and may take several weeks to resolve.
• Stiffness of the arms, especially when bending is common and usually resolves within a few months.
• Areas of numbness of the upper and lower arm are normal and usually resolve within a few months.
• Sutures or staples are usually removed within two weeks.
• Drains, if used are usually removed in less than 7 days after the procedure.
• The incisions can be treated with scar creams and ointments.
• The scar will take 8 -12 months to look its best.