How do I prepare for a thigh lift?
Your surgeon will provide thorough preoperative instructions, answer any questions you may have before your surgery, take a detailed medical history, and perform a physical exam to determine your fitness for surgery.
In advance of your procedure, your surgeon may ask you to:
- Lose weight or make a lifestyle change to ensure the best results and minimize the chance of complications. You should be at a stable, dependable weight for a significant period of time before you undergo a thigh lift.
- Stop smoking before undergoing surgery to promote better healing. Your surgeon will tell you how far in advance of your surgery you should quit.
- Avoid taking aspirin, certain anti-inflammatory drugs, and some herbal medications that can cause increased bleeding.
- Hydrate before and after surgery for safe recovery.
What can I expect the day of my thigh lift?
Be sure to consult with your surgeon before your surgery so you have the most accurate expectations.
- You may have your thigh lift surgery in an accredited hospital, free-standing ambulatory facility, or office-based surgical suite.
- Most thigh lift procedures take about two to three hours to complete but may take longer.
- The surgeon will administer medications for your comfort during the procedure.
- General anesthesia is commonly used for a thigh lift, though local anesthesia combined with sedation can be used instead.
- For your safety during the surgery, various monitors will be used to check your heart, blood pressure, pulse, and the amount of oxygen circulating in your blood.
- Your surgeon will follow the surgical plan discussed with you before surgery.
- After your surgery, you will go to a recovery area for continued monitoring.
- You will have drainage tubes in place and a compression garment over liposuctioned areas of your thighs. Your surgeon will place a surgical dressing over your incision site.
- Before leaving for home, you (or someone looking after you) should feel capable of emptying and resetting the drains.
If you had general anesthetic, you may stay overnight in the facility for observation and your surgeon will discharge you when you have recovered sufficiently. If you had local anesthesia, you may be permitted to go home after a short observation period, unless you and your aesthetic plastic surgeon have made other plans for your immediate postoperative recovery. Under no circumstances will you be permitted to go home alone or stay home without another adult present. You should arrange for someone to drive you home and stay with you on your first night home. Follow your surgeon’s recommendation concerning this decision.