Thigh Lift Recovery and Downtime

Recovery of thigh lift is not more difficult than tummy tuck. The key difference is taking care of wounds uninterruptedly for three weeks. You need to pay attention for each step for this three weeks.  It is critical to be very careful and cautious during this time. You should be moving slowly. You should  and intentionally to The first two weeks are critical after thigh lift. Because any opening of wound in the thigh cause extra wound care. This is not painful at all but open wounds in this area are difficult to heal because of the tension of gravity pulling down on the full weight of the legs. Once the incisions are well-healed then you can consider that it is over. After that you will be able return your daily activities.

Hello, thank you for your question regarding the recovery time for a thigh reduction.  A thigh reduction is the most accurate term, however, many people call the thigh reduction a thigh lift.  There are several types of the thigh lifts. The two most common thigh lifts that I perform are the crescent and the medial or vertical thigh lift.  Other thigh lifts are variations and combinations of the crescent and the medial thigh lift.  (The exception is the lateral thigh lift where an incision is made along the outside of the thigh from the top of the hip to the outside of the knee.  However, even in my practice, the lateral thigh lift is rare surgery.) During the crescent thigh lift, a crescent area of upper thigh skin and fat is removed.  During the medial or vertical thigh lift, an elliptical area of inner thigh skin and fat is removed.  The crescent thigh lift takes about three to four hours to perform.  The medial thigh lift takes about four hours to perform.  The recovery time for either thigh lift is about two to three weeks.  Usually, you can return to a sitting job at about two weeks.  For more physically demanding work, please allow yourself three to four weeks before you return to work.  I hope that I have answered your questions regarding returning to work after a thigh lift. If you have any more questions regarding a thigh lift, please call my office.    When considering plastic surgery, seek an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience in performing the body lift procedure.  Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. (Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.)  

Thank you for your question!  I recommend consulting with a board certified plastic surgeon, as each surgeon has his/her own protocol.  In my practice, I would have you take at least 10 days off of work.  You may return to light cardio exercise after 3 weeks and weights/yoga after 6 weeks.  Best of luck to you!

Your question about thigh lift recovery is a very good one.  The answer varies quite a bit and depends on several variables:
The type of thigh lift being done
The amount of skin and fat removal necessary
Whether or not it is combined with other procedures
Your level of health and fitness before the procedure
TYPE OF THIGH LIFT There are generally two variations of the types of thigh lifts: those with the scar entirely hidden in the groin (“crescent thigh lift”) and those with a scar that goes down the leg ("vertical thigh lift”). The crescent thigh lift typically has a quicker recovery (about 10 days – two weeks off from a desk job) when compared to a vertical thigh lift (anywhere from two to four weeks off form a desk job).  The variation in time off is dependent on may factors, including those below.

AMOUNT OF REMOVAL Thigh lifts can address an excess of both skin and fat in the inner thigh.  Excess fat is removed by liposuction or by direct removal as part of the thigh lift. The amount of skin removed is dependent on how much excess there is.  It can range from a small crescent of skin around the area of the groin to a large portion of the skin of the entire inner thigh extending below the knee. Both intuitively and in reality, the more you remove, the more challenging you can expect the recovery to be.

COMBINATION PROCEDURES When a thigh lift is performed with other procedures, the recovery may be more involved. This may involve limitations due to surgery on other parts of the body which may make movement more difficult and discomfort greater. That said, anytime a thigh lift is performed, it is important to encourage movement immediately after the operation to reduce the risk of other complications like developing blood clots in the legs, pneumonia, etc. This is even more important when other procedures are performed, as the risk for these types of complications can increase. In some cases, your surgeon may even prescribe a blood thinners to help reduce the risk of developing blood clots.

PREOPERATIVE FITNESS How fit and healthy you are prior to a procedure will certainly translate to an easier and better recovery from any procedure. While this makes sense intuitively, there are some specific details that may help shed light on why. Good nutrition always translates to better wound healing due to proper protein stores and a lack of any vitamin deficiencies. Also important, is your fitness level: I have found that patients who are more physically fit have greater core strength and better ability to move after their operation. Think about it, because of the extensive operation on your legs, you become more dependent on other muscle groups in your body to help you move around. The stronger they are going into the operation, the better you do afterwards!

These are only some important details that can help you understand the recovery process after a thigh lift. It is certainly important to discuss the matter extensively with your surgeon before the operation.

It's critical that you seek the advice of a surgeon who is certified by the American Board of plastic surgery and has extensive experience with thigh lifts.

I wish you the best,

Dr. Gabbay

Thank you for your question. Following your thigh lift, soft dressing and compression garment will be applied to aid in healing. In some cases, there will be a tube needed for excess drainage. Swelling and bruising are common side effects within the first few weeks, but normal activity can resume in a about a week. Best of luck!Dhaval M. Patel Double board certifiedPlastic surgeonHoffman EstatesBarringtonOakbrookChicago 

This is a very important aspect when deciding to move forward with the thighplasty procedure. It is important to understand your limitations as well as post-operative care instructions with a thighplasty as the patient plays a very big role in both aspects of recovery. I typically will discuss with my patients that they will be easing back into normal daily activities around two weeks. If they must return to work it is only ideal if the patient is able to sit at a desk with the ability to get up periodically and take breaks. Normally activities without restrictions are normally at 6 weeks post-operative. Compressive garments are utilized for the first 4 weeks post-operative to help control swelling and may be utilized beyond this point to help with comfort and swelling.

You should take it very easy the first two weeks after surgery. You can resume most activities usually by three weeks. Expect to be off of work for two weeks, but you will be able to be up and around - this is encouraged to keep your blood circulation going, but make sure to take it easy.

Thigh lift surgery tightens excess thigh skin which
ultimately improves thigh contour. 
Patients can anticipate limited physical activity for ten to fourteen
days following surgery.  I
typically tell patients bathroom and kitchen privileges initially with slow
resumption of normal activity over the next two weeks.  Patients can usually return to work in
two weeks if no strenuous activity or heavy lifting is involved.  After six weeks, they can resume all
their normal activities including heavy lifting.

                  Drains
are placed at the time of surgery and are usually removed within two weeks of
surgery.  Patients typically wear
compression dressings for about three weeks following surgery.  This minimizes swelling and increases
comfort.  Most patients are
initially given narcotic pain relievers and switched to double strength Tylenol
five to seven days following surgery.



                  Patients
with small children should have assistance with childcare for at least one week
and patients should not drive while taking narcotics.  



                  For
many patients, thigh lift surgery is a life changing experience.  The procedure ultimately improves
self-confidence, self-image and self-esteem. 

Down time form a thigh lift or a thigh reduction procedure can take anywhere form 3 to 4 weeks.  You will need about 6 weeks to be completely healed however.  I would plan to take at least one month off work.  Optimizing your nutrition with protein supplements will help you to heal faster.

These vary tremendously in their design and therefore restrictions may be different.
Limitations in activity are typically placed to minimize stretching of the scar.
However, we do prefer patients to be active to minimize the possibility of a deep vein thrombosis. In the meantime you may wear compression stockings to minimize your risk and perform point and flex toe/calf exercises (like they instruct you on an airplane) to diminish venous stasis.
Excessive bending or flexing may be prohibited by your surgeon. Aids such as a walker or toilet seat riser may be beneficial.
Generally, we find our paitents need around two weeks to feel mobile and independent.