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Thigh Lift Surgery in Houston, TX

If you’re considering surgery to improve and contour the appearance of your thighs, you’ll want to work with Dr. Leo Lapuerta, a premier thigh lift surgeon in Houston, TX. With more than two decades of experience and triple-board certification, Dr. Lapeurta has performed countless procedures to improve the way patients look and feel about themselves with body contouring in Houston.

  • Review from A.W.
  • Source: Google
  • Jun 13, 2019
Dr. Lapuerta and his staff are excellent. Great result of the surgery. Highly recommended!

What is a Thigh Lift?

Weight loss can be a momentous event in a person’s life, but it can also create new challenges such as loose, sagging skin, and excessive wrinkling. For those facing these issues in their upper legs, a good solution could be a thigh lift, or thighplasty. Houston’s favorite board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Lapuerta, will perform your thigh lift surgery by removing excess fat and skin from the thighs, and lifting and reshaping them to create a smoother and tighter appearance.

Over the years, thigh lift surgery has become one of the most popular in the country. In fact, due to the success of bariatric surgeries, the number of thigh lift procedures has almost quadrupled since 2007. Many people consider this surgery after significant weight loss, which can leave sagging and lumpy skin behind. They may choose a thigh lift to tone up the area to wear bathing suits, shorts, and skirts without the pain of embarrassment. Tightening the skin on the thighs can also relieve you from irritation caused by the loose skin rubbing as you move.

If you are considering thigh lift surgery in Houston, we are here to help. Dr. Leo Lapuerta and his team are ready to answer all your questions and help you meet all of your aesthetic goals. Give us a call — but first, it might help to review some information about thigh lifts, and what the procedure is like at our facilities.

Thigh Lift Surgery Procedure

The exact procedure your surgeon performs will vary based on whether you want an inner or outer thigh lift surgery — or both. You can also combine the thigh lift with liposuction to remove excess fat deposits.

The incision can run from the groin to the top of the leg and downward to the back of the thigh. Another option is for the incision to start from the groin and run down to the knee along the inside of the leg.

When planning and performing the procedure, your surgeon will choose the least noticeable areas for incision to reduce the appearance of scarring. Following surgery, they will apply a dressing to the incision sites to prevent infection and speed healing.

The ideal candidate for thigh surgery will be someone who is in good health and at a healthy and stable weight. If you are trying to lose more weight, it may be best to wait until after you have achieved your weight loss goal for a thigh lift. You should have reasonable expectations about the results, knowing that not everyone looks the same after surgery. View before and after photos from patients who have undergone thigh lift procedures to get a sense of the variety of outcomes possible on different body types.

How Long Does a Thigh Lift Last?

A thigh lift is meant to be permanent. You can expect to see some loss of firmness as your body ages, which is normal. Most of the results from the procedure will still be noticeable as long as you maintain your weight. Significant weight gain or loss can drastically change the results. In this situation, you may choose to have another surgery.

Thigh Lift Techniques

Depending on your own body and goals, your surgery may be done on either the inner or outer thighs, or sometimes both. The surgical procedures for each are slightly different:

Inner Thigh Lift Surgery

While other thigh lift surgery focuses on the outer thighs, the inner thighs must be targeted specifically. They cannot be altered or lifted with a traditional outer thigh lift. It is often recommended after major weight loss because the loose skin can rub together and cause irritation. During inner thigh lifts, an incision is made near the top of the thigh (along the crease where the torso meets the leg) and runs down the inner thigh. Once the incision is made, a large section of tissue is removed from the top inner thigh area, and any excess skin will be excised away.

Liposuction may be used to sculpt the area into a more desirable contour. The soft tissue structures and muscles are pulled tight and secured. Inner thigh lifts result in a more toned and smooth skin surface. This technique is recommended by doctors when the patient has lost 100 pounds or more and has excess skin that runs down the leg to the knee.

Outer Thigh Lift Surgery

Patients who require an outer thigh lift will generally need to have the buttocks addressed as well. During this approach, the outer thighs are pulled up and tightened, then secured with sutures along the crease at the bottom of the buttocks. In addition to a tighter appearance, most patients see a drastic improvement in skin irregularities, such as dimples from cellulite.

What is a Mini Thigh Lift?

A mini thigh lift is a smaller version of the full inner thigh lift surgery. It is only performed on the inner thighs and is designed for people who have less loose skin. A mini thigh lift contours your inner thighs, removing excess skin for a more toned look.

The incision with a mini thigh lift is smaller than for a full procedure. You end up with a smaller scar and shorter recovery time.

Whether you are a candidate for a mini thigh lift will depend on the location of the excess skin and how much you have. Your doctor may recommend a mini thigh lift if you have minimal sagging skin and it is located on the inner thigh. You will meet with Dr. Lapuerta prior to your surgery, and he will discuss your goals and which procedure would work best for your needs. The mini thigh lift is similar to a regular thigh lift since general anesthesia is used and the procedure is performed in an accredited facility. Swelling and bruising will likely be less than with a full thigh lift because of the smaller incision site.

Combining a Thigh Lift with Other Procedures

Many times, a thigh lift isn’t performed alone. It can be combined with other body contouring procedures to help you get the results you want. One popular combination is a thigh lift and liposuction procedure, where alongside the lift, additional leg fat is remove to further slim the legs for a tighter silhouette.

The doctor may also recommend a thigh lift as part of a Mommy makeover. This group of procedures are designed to help women regain their pre-pregnancy appearance. Common procedures in a Mommy makeover include breast augmentation, breast lift, tummy tuck, butt lift, and thigh lift. Each person is unique and the recommended procedures are based on the individual’s goals. It’s best to have a conversation with your doctor about the right combination of procedures that will work for your unique desires and circumstances.

 

What to Expect After a Thigh Lift

All thigh lift surgeries are performed under general anesthesia in an accredited surgical facility as an outpatient procedure. They typically take around 3-4 hours to complete. However, it could take longer if it is combined with another procedure.

Patients considering this procedure will need to be at or near their goal weight when they have their surgery performed at one of our facilities.

Patients love their results, which tend to feature a marked improvement in the contour of their thighs, as well as a smoother, firmer skin tone. That being said, as with any medical procedure, there are some post-op considerations to make when having a thigh lift.

Thigh Lift Recovery

Though it varies by patient, the recovery period for a thigh lift surgery tends to be 1-2 weeks. The surgeon may apply bandages to the thighs around the incisions. They may also insert tubes under the skin to help with drainage. You will be given information about any changes to the site or to your overall health that would be concerning during your recovery. You may also receive medications to help with the healing along with an appointment for a follow-up with the surgeon.

You will have some restrictions in place until the swelling goes down and the incisions begin to heal. The doctor will let you know when you may resume normal activities and more strenuous routines, such as exercise.

Thigh Lift Scars

Patients who have this procedure generally do have some scarring. It is rare to have a scarless thigh lift, but you can take steps to reduce the amount of scarring you have to deal with. Proper scar care is important post-thigh lift and will help them to fade over time.

The surgeon will provide information on what dressings to use along with topical products to help with the healing process. You should follow these recommendations completely to reduce the amount of scarring. As always, keeping the area clean and minimizing germs during your healing process will be of the utmost importance. Your doctor may also recommend keeping the area moist with certain creams or lotions to further aid in minimizing scars and expediting healing.

Cost of Thigh Lift Surgery

As with most of the plastic surgeries offered by Dr. Lapuerta, the price of your thigh lift will vary depending on the extent of the surgery and whether another procedure was performed alongside it. Generally, patients can expect to pay anywhere between $5,500-$10,000 for their thigh lift surgery.

Schedule a Thigh Lift Consultation Today!

If you’re looking for the top thigh lift surgery in Houston, you’re in the right place. Our own Dr. Leo Lapuerta has been performing plastic surgery to the residents of central Texas for over twenty years and has over 20,000 procedures under his belt.

If you’re ready to join his list of happy patients, set up your consultation — during this meeting, you will be able to meet your physician, address any questions or concerns you may have, and discuss thigh lifts in Houston and which type of surgery is best for you and your needs.

To start planning your procedure, contact us to schedule a consultation today.

PLAN YOUR PROCEDURE

  • Recovery Time
  • 1-2 Weeks
  • Average Procedure Time
  • 3-4 Hours
  • Post-op Follow-up
  • 1 Week
  • Procedure Recovery Location
  • Outpatient

Thigh Lift FAQs

What does a thigh lift do?
A thigh lift removes excess skin from weight loss or aging. It also helps to create a more toned and lifted appearance. The surgery can reduce dimpling and other irregularities in your skin.
Does a Thigh Lift Get Rid of Cellulite?
A thigh lift improves the appearance of the skin on the thighs. Because the skin is pulled and tightened, this procedure results in a smoother, more toned look. Some patients find that this alone makes the surgery worth it. While the surgery doesn’t remove every imperfection, the improvement can be very dramatic for many patients.
How Much Does a Thigh Lift Cost?
The cost of a thigh lift will depend on whether it is performed alone or in conjunction with another procedure. You can expect the cost to range somewhere between $5,500 and $10,000 when done as a single procedure.
When Can You Exercise After a Thigh Lift?
Pre-op, many of our athletic patients express concern over their ability to perform certain exercises (like lunges) after their procedure. Following surgery, it is recommended to hold off exercise for some time; it is crucial to ensure you are fully healed before performing lower body exercises. For your safety, we ask that you gain approval from Dr. Lapuerta before heading back to the gym for leg day. That being said, once you’re healed, exercise will only help improve your results.
Is A Thigh Lift Worth It?
Patients who receive a thigh lift believe it is worth it because of the improvement in the look and feel of the skin around the thighs. Results are long-lasting as long as you maintain your weight.
Is A Thigh Lift Major Surgery?
A thigh lift is considered major surgery because either sedation or general anesthesia is used. Incisions are made in the skin around the area to be tightened. There will be a period of recovery before you can return to normal activities. This surgery also comes with a risk of infection along with other potential issues. These risks may be reduced or eliminated when you choose a certified plastic surgeon.
How Long Does a Thigh Lift Last?
Though a thigh lift boasts effective results for most patients, certain elements can cause it to decrease over time. Weight gain could compromise some of the aesthetic results gained of the surgery, and things like age and gravity will cause some of the natural laxity within the thighs to decrease over time. Even with these changes, most of the improvement will still be visible.
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