Thigh Lift Surgery

The Thigh lift surgery is the least-commonly-performed aesthetic procedure in our practice, and probably in the United States. We believe there are two reasons for this. First, the scars are so significant that many patients are dissuaded from the operation. Second, the number of people who are really in need of this drastic measure is fairly small. So who is a candidate for the procedure?

In our experience, two categories of patients should consider having thigh lift surgery. Patients who have had massive weight loss, and whose thighs are now larger in circumference a few inches BELOW the crease underneath the buttock would benefit from having this done. In these people the skin is frequently thin and stretched out, with less subcutaneous fat high on the thigh than a few inches below. The operation is designed to cut away the thin skin and scant fat area and pull up the lower fat and skin, sewing it to the area above where the skin and fat thickness match up better. The second category of candidates would be those who have already had suction lipectomy (liposuction) and whose results were not adequate, possibly because of inadequate skin contracture following fat removal.

The time in the operating room is generally six hours or more. General anesthesia is required, and at least one overnight stay for recovery.
Is this operation ever covered by insurance? In very rare cases, such as following massive weight loss (after gastric bypass procedures, etc.) some patients have been able to secure insurance coverage, if they were having hygiene problems, with skin infection in the redundant folds. Such instances are rare, unfortunately, and usually require more than one letter of predetermination with pictures, review by an insurance company committee, and one or two months' patience.

Nevertheless, for those patients whose need is great enough, this operation may be the only way they can don a bathing suit or even wear reasonably revealing sportswear. Since every situation is different, only a personal evaluation will allow us to assess your suitability as a candidate for the procedure.

To schedule an appointment to discuss this procedure with Dr. Johnson, click here.