SAEED MAREFAT, MD, FACS
Thigh lifts and contouring are procedures designed to remove the excess skin and fat of the legs. Liposuction is incorporated in this operation to obtain ideal results by contouring and shaping the legs in areas that need fat removal. A thigh lift is performed when the skin has lost its ability to contract after massive weight fluctuations. In some people, it may be due to a genetic predisposition for having loose skin. In this surgery, Dr. Marefat removes the loose skin and fat from the thighs in order to improve the shape and make the skin tighter and more youthful. A thigh lift is almost always limited to the upper thigh, but, in some circumstances, it may extend below the knee.
Extremity contouring and thigh lifts can benefit both men and women. Men who have lost significant amounts of weight or who have folds of excess skin in the extremities may also benefit from Virginia thigh lift surgery. It must be remembered that individuals who have excess skin may also suffer from excess fatty tissue in the same areas. This operation is not a substitute for more conventional methods of weight loss, such as dieting and exercise. However, for certain individuals who are unable to eliminate this fat by using normal measures, extremity contouring can provide a means to achieve this goal.
Leg contouring is best thought of as a spectrum of surgical procedures that can be tailored to meet your specific need. Not every person requires an extensive skin excision. In certain situations after losing large amounts of weight, the skin is able to retract considerably, making the need for skin excision unnecessary. However, if it is stretched beyond a certain limit, the skin loses this elastic potential, and it may not retract to conform to the new shape of the body. The degree of skin redundancy will determine the length of the scar. If there is minimal skin redundancy, the scars may be very short and well-hidden. On the other hand, where there is significant amount of excess skin, the scars may be long and conspicuous. Only your plastic surgeon can tell you how extensive the scars will be. Virginia thigh lifts are often combined with liposuction (fat removal), enabling the surgeon to enhance the end result of surgery and put finishing touches where necessary. In individuals who do not have sufficient bulk in their calf muscles, implants may be placed under the skin in order give the extremity better proportion and muscular definition.
The thigh lift operation is done under general anesthesia or regional anesthesia and sedation. After Virginia thigh lift surgery, you may go home. Some patients, however, prefer to be admitted to the hospital for 1-2 days of observation, depending on the extent of skin removal. If a more simple leg contouring is performed, postoperative observation is usually not necessary. Swelling and discoloration from the surgery will depend on the extent of the procedure, but, generally, most of it will be gone in 1-2 weeks. You will be able to return to most usual activities by the end of the first week and resume strenuous exercise in a few weeks. A support garment is recommended for approximately 4 weeks to ensure proper healing. Minor changes in sensation are not unusual for a short period after thigh lift surgery.
Thigh lift and contouring is a set of operations designed to remove excess skin and fat on the legs. Liposuction may be incorporated in this operation to obtain ideal results.
An extremity lift is performed when the skin has lost its ability to contract after massive weight fluctuations. In some people, it may be due to a genetic predisposition for having loose skin. In this surgery, Dr. Marefat removes the loose skin and fat from the thighs in order to improve the shape and make the skin tighter and more youthful-looking. A Virginia thigh lift is almost always limited to the upper thigh, but, in some circumstances, it may extend below the knee.
In the first consultation, you will get a chance to discuss your concerns with our patient care coordinators and Dr. Marefat. We will tell you what you need to know about the Virginia thigh lift procedure and help you determine what is best for you. You will receive information booklets and pricing on the procedures.
Excess skin and fat are removed directly from the extremity. The incisions are usually placed in areas that are less conspicuous. The extent of the incision will depend on the amount of loose skin in your thigh. Sometimes, it can be done through an incision in the groin area. At other times, the skin is so excessive that the incision necessarily extends to the knee. The final contouring and shaping of the area may be done with selective liposuction. The procedure usually does not address underlying muscle or fibrous tissues.
After surgery, you will have a moderate degree of discomfort. The amount of recovery will depend on the extent of skin excision. Larger cases may need up to 2 weeks, but smaller cases may need only a few days. Since the Virginia thigh lift surgery is limited to the skin, the downtime associated with it is not as significant as procedures that address muscle and the outer layer of tissue covering the muscle.
The sutures are removed between 2-3 weeks depending on the area of surgery.
We like to see our patients frequently after surgery. You are seen by the doctor or nurse within 2-3 days of surgery. Then, the normal postoperative routine is 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after surgery. Of course, we will see you more if there is any need. After the first year, we encourage our patients to come in for routine follow-up visits every 3-5 years.
You should be able to wear makeup if you have had a thigh lift. We do not recommend putting makeup on your incisions until they have healed completely because this may result in tattooing by the pigments of the makeup.
You are a good candidate for Virginia thigh lift if you have either excess fat in the thighs or if you have a combination of excess fat and skin. Generally, the younger you are, the better a candidate you are for surgery. The physiological age of a person is more important than the chronological age. That is to say, you may be 60 years old, but your skin and general health may be better than that of most 50 year olds. The best candidates for Virginia thigh lifts are those who are in good health and have realistic expectations about surgery.
You can pay for Virginia thigh lift surgery by certified check, credit card, or cash. Payments for cosmetic surgery are expected prior to the procedure. If you are scheduled for surgery several weeks in advance, you may pay by personal check.
Yes. In fact, the scars after a Virginia thigh lift can be quite long. This depends on how much extra skin is being removed. Removal of greater amounts of skin results in longer incisions. We usually try to hide the incisions in areas that are less visible. Sometimes, it is possible to keep the scar limited to the groin area. At other times, the amount of excess skin is so much that the incision has to be extended down the thigh. Scars do fade with time; however, they never go away completely. If you are contemplating this operation, you must be comfortable with the idea of having permanent scars. Remember that you are exchanging the inconvenience of extra rolls of skin for scars. This compromise is necessary in this operation.
Yes. However, the pain involved in Virginia thigh lifts is very tolerable. We have heard our patients describe it as aches or soreness but not as severe pain. Many patients do quite well with medications prescribed to them for pain relief. Dr. Marefat usually injects the incisions with a solution that helps minimize the postoperative pain. Having said that, remember that pain is very subjective, and it is not easy to predict what degree of pain you will have.
Not usually. Most Virginia thigh lifts are done with the patient under general anesthesia. In certain cases, the amount of excess skin is so little that we can remove it by injecting it with local numbing medicine. This would be an exception, however. Dr. Marefat will be able to tell you if your procedure can be done without general anesthesia.
The thigh lift surgery can be done either in the hospital or the outpatient facility, depending on the extent of skin excision necessary. Usually, we perform this operation in the outpatient facility. Occasionally, the operation is so minor that it can be done using local anesthesia in our Virginia office operating room. Dr. Marefat can tell you which facility would be required in your case.
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Yes. In all cosmetic and reconstructive cases, medical photos are taken. Photographs are mandatory because this is the only way for us to compare before and after results. Photographs in plastic surgery serve the same role as x-rays do in other medical specialties.
Dr. Marefat and the staff at Metropolitan Plastic Surgery would be happy to help you set up a private consultation to discuss thigh lifts and contouring in Virginia. Schedule an appointment online or call one of our locations at 703-516-7600 (Arlington area) or at 703-560-9583 (Woodbridge).
Dr. Marefat offers a number of financial assistance programs and payment programs to cover the cost of thigh lifts and contouring in Virginia. Please visit the patient financing section of our website for more details or ask the staff at Metropolitan Plastic Surgery about these options so that you can get started with thigh lifts and contouring in Virginia today.
