A thigh lift (or crural lift, cruroplasty) is a cosmetic surgery procedure that treats skin laxity on the inner thigh.
This procedure is for people with excess skin on the thigh caused by aging or significant weight loss. This cosmetic step can be combined with thigh liposuction to reduce fat infiltration and thus slim the legs.
1. Principle of a thigh lift
An inner thigh lift (or crural lift) is for people with excess skin at the inner root of the thighs. This excess skin generally manifests as a loss of skin elasticity.
Significant excess skin on the thighs can be explained by significant weight loss or the effect of age on tissues.
The procedure involves removing the excess skin caused by laxity of the inner thigh skin and re-tensioning the skin. It is generally combined with liposuction of the thighs or inner knees to reduce underlying fat infiltration.
While liposuction reduces the amount of fat present in the thighs, it is not enough to improve the appearance of the thighs in people with significant excess skin. Indeed, skin quality does not allow for re-tensioning of the thigh following removal of fatty tissue alone.
An inner thigh lift can be performed using two surgical techniques:
- The concentric lift acts on the upper part of the thigh. It involves making incisions on each side of the pubis, extending toward the perineum. Excess skin is removed and tissue is drawn concentrically toward the incision. This type of lift is indicated for excess skin on the upper part of the inner thigh. It has the advantage of placing the resulting scar in a very inconspicuous area.
- The vertical lift acts on the entire thigh: in addition to the incisions made for a concentric lift, vertical incisions are made along the thigh down to the knees. After removal of excess skin, tissue is drawn toward the inguinal fold for the upper part of the thigh, and toward the inner seam for the middle and lower parts. While this type of lift effectively treats significant excess skin, it results in more extensive scarring than a concentric lift.
2. Recovery after a crural lift
Depending on the patient, an inner thigh lift can be performed under local or general anesthesia.
The duration of the procedure is about 1 hour 30 minutes.
The procedure requires one or two days of hospitalization depending on its extent.
Bruising as well as edema (swelling) appear quickly after the procedure. They gradually disappear within 10 to 20 days following the procedure.
Aside from sensations of tightness and throbbing in the thighs, post-operative pain is limited. It is generally treated with simple painkillers.
Sports activity can be resumed gradually between 3 and 6 weeks after the procedure.
The final result of the procedure can be assessed after 6 to 12 months following the procedure.
To optimize the result of a thigh lift, XBody sessions may be indicated. This is a muscle electro-stimulation device particularly effective for reshaping the body's muscles, slimming and tapering the thighs.
The scarring impact of a thigh lift varies depending on the type of procedure performed. The scar from a concentric lift is generally not very visible, as it is placed at the top of the inner thigh and around the pubis. The scar from a vertical lift, on the other hand, is visible, as it extends along the inner thigh.
The scar is initially pink for the first three months, then gradually fades until the third year.
Like all scars, this one should not be exposed to sun or UV rays for the first few months following the procedure.
Like any surgical procedure, thigh surgery carries risks. During the pre-operative consultation, the surgeon will explain these risks to you once the treatment plan has been defined.
Smoking increases the risk of surgical complications in any type of surgery. Stopping smoking 6-8 weeks before the procedure eliminates this additional risk. If you smoke, talk to your doctor, surgeon and anesthesiologist, or call a smoking cessation helpline to help reduce risks and give yourself the best chances.
