Buttock Lift/Thigh Lift

    As we age or lose large amounts of weight, the buttock, outer thighs, inner thighs and abdominal areas may sag. This is true for men and women. Clothes no longer fit as well so people tend to hide under larger sizes and, in some cases, stop doing enjoyable activities such as going to the beach. An outer thigh/buttock lift or inner thigh lift is like a facelift for the lower extremities. It may be combined with a tummy tuck, called a body lift, to address the front, sides and the back of the torso.

    1. Buttock-lift

    Surgery and Recovery
The procedure is performed under general anesthesia and patients go home the same day. Recovery time is 7-10 days for most of the discomfort to subside, and 3-6 weeks until vigorous exercise can begin. A long curved scar is placed at the upper aspect of the buttock or in the buttock crease, which takes 6-12 months to mature

    Buttock Lift Surgery
    Liposuction may sometimes be incorporated to further improve body contour. Drain tubes are placed under the skin to evacuate any fluid, which may ooze after the operation. The drains are removed approximately 2 day after surgery. The closure of the skin is done with dissolving-type suture material, which does not require removal.
    Dressings are placed on the incisions. Patients are usually ready to be discharged from the recovery room from 6-8 hours after the conclusion of the procedure. This varies from patient to patient, depending on the extent of the procedure. It is necessary during the first 24 hours after the surgery. Patients cannot be discharged to the company of a minor or to a car service. Patients from out of Thailand should plan to stay locally for approximately 7-10 days.

    Buttock Lift Recovery Period
    For the first few days, you are likely to feel discomfort, which can be controlled with medication. Your buttock area will be swollen. The swelling will resolve over a period of several weeks depending on the extent of your surgery. We will provide you with instructions for personal hygiene and activity. We suggest you begin walking as soon as possible, although rest is very important as well.
    You will be seen back in the office in 2-3 days, at which time the wounds are checked and dressings removed. Showering is permitted 48 hours after surgery. Individuals with deskwork type employment may resume work in one week. Lifting should be limited to 25 lbs. for four weeks. Others with work involving prolonged periods of standing or walking or heavy lifting may need to wait from 3 to 6 weeks. Vigorous activities or aerobic exercises should not be resumed for 6 weeks.
    The buttocks will feel very tight for several days. In the first few days after surgery you will feel most comfortable lying flat. Over the next several days you will gradually be able to sit upright. You will likely experience occasional twinges of pain during the first several months after surgery. It takes several months for the buttocks to regain a normal feel. Temporary numbness, particularly just below the incision is common. The scar often becomes redder several weeks after surgery and begins to fade 2-3 months later. While the scar will never disappear completely, its appearance is usually very satisfactory. It may take the scar as long as 18 months to reach its final appearance.

    Thigh lift
    Large weight gain (with or without subsequent loss), pregnancies, hereditary factors, hormonal influences and stretching are all factors that contribute to unattractive thighs and buttocks.
    Although weight control through diet and exercise is most important, many structural changes cannot be corrected through any method other than surgery. In cases where a large amount of excessive skin is present in the form of folds, liposuction alone will not give satisfactory results. The excessive skin must be removed along an incision which is usually located within a bathing suit line at the level of a crease. Stretch marks may be improved, but can never be entirely eliminated.

    Pre-Operative Care

    The patient considering surgery should be in general good health and weight should be reasonable. The surgery is not a weight control measure though it may be helpful after a large amount of weight is lost and residual sagging skin remains. He or she should not smoke and should be on some type of exercise program. (Running or walking is recommended.)
     Commonly during a leg lift, an incision is made in the upper inner thighs (possibly into the lower inner thigh), and the excess skin and fat is lifted at the surgeon’s discretion. He or she will determine how much can safely be removed. Once the excess is removed, the remaining skin is closed with sutures that can be removed in about a week. The type of incision and a patient’s resulting scar will be determined by the location and amount of excess skin and fat. It may be limited to the upper groin crease or possibly extend to the knee area if this region requires treatment.
     You should wear loose fitting clothing that will wash easily in the event they are soiled. Do not wear jewelry, contact lenses, or bring valuables to the operating room. Remove all jewelry from pierced body parts, as this can interfere with the procedure and may represent a safety threat to you because of the use of electrocautery during the procedure.

    The Operation

     Thigh lifts are performed by making an incision in the inner groin crease, along the underwear line, so that the skin can be tightened without a scar on the leg itself. The skin is lifted down to the muscle layer, peripheral excessive fat is excised away, loose excessive skin is removed and the skin is pulled upwards like a pair of stockings.
     The tissues are meticulously closed with several layers of specialized stitches. Stitches placed under the skin are usually absorbable. Those on the surface of the skin are removed at ten days.
An inner thigh lift procedure takes approximately two hours. Usually the procedure begins with liposuction and is followed by the removal of excess skin.
     Sterile dressings are placed on the incisions followed by an elastic garment that goes from the waist to just above the knees. Patients are usually ready for discharge from the recovery area approximately 4-6 hours following the procedure

    Post-Operative Care