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Will a Thigh Lift Get Rid of Sagging Skin After Weight Loss?

I lost a lot of weight about a year ago, and I am still at my ideal weight but my skin hasn't "bounced back" since I lost the weight.  The worst area is in my thigh and buttock region.  Will a thigh lift work to get rid of saggy skin leftover from when I was bigger?

Sort 16 expert answers by:
+5

Body contouring surgery

There are many operations out there with names that can be confusing. Some names are surgically descriptive, and others are open to interpretation. Here are some terms to help: Abdominoplasty / tummy tuck - leaves a scar across the front of your body, and tightens the skin on the front (as well as the muscles) Thigh lift - there are several versions: - Lateral thigh lift - the scar is typically located where your palms are when you grab your hips with your elbows pointing outward. It... more
Michael A. Bogdan, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+2

Thigh lift after weight loss

You have done very well loosing the weight. Congratulations. Skin tightening procedures can tighten the skin and improve on the appearance of these areas. There are different designs to these tightening procedures. After examination your PS can dicuss with you the different options and where the scar is located. After significant weight loss the skin does not retract back and results iin sagging of ABDOMINOPLASTY, tightens the abdominal muscles, and removes the excess, lax skin of the... more
Samir Shureih, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon
+1

Thigh lifts are for those who have lost a lot of weight

Thank you for your question. While a thighplasty will not help the sagging in the buttock area, it is an ideal procedure to improve the contour and shape of the thighs after significant weight loss. In a thigh lift, excess skin and fat is removed from the upper, inner thighs. To help with excess skin on the sides, abdomen and buttocks, a lower body lift (circumferential abdominoplasty) is recommended. Best of luck.
James McMahan, MD
Columbus Plastic Surgeon
+1

Thighlift after weight loss

Thighlift is absolutely designed to tighten sagging skin after significant weight loss. The approach to thighlift, particularly the scars involved, depend on the degree of skin laxity or remaining fatty tissue. There are hidden scars that have great results. There are some more remarkable scars that are necessary for more impactful results.
Michele A. Shermak, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon
+1

One of the most common and satisfying operations for patients who have lost large amounts

Of weight is the medial thigh lift. Following large weight loss, it is very common for the laxity that was present in the medial thigh area to remain, and this can be a source of significant distress for many patients. Fortunately, a modification of the traditional medial thigh lift, with extension of the scars towards the mid thigh leaving a "t" or "l" shaped scar can smooth out the extra skin. If the amount of skin to be removed is not excessive, than... more
Michael H. Rosenberg, MD
White Plains Plastic Surgeon
+1

Sagging skin after weight loss

Surgical skin and fat excision is necessary to correct skin laxity. The procedure depends on the degree and location. In most cases of significant weight loss require a patient may require a combination of a thigh reduction and lower body lift. . Thigh reduction with a vertical scar in the inner thigh, from groin to knee. A lower body lift with side and back excision is necessary to lift the buttock. Buttock implants do no provide sufficient lift for sagging skin.   more
Robert Sleightholm, MD
Brampton Plastic Surgeon
+1

Thigh and buttock lift

After losing "a lot" of weight as you describe, a thigh and buttock lift may indeed be your best and only hope for significant improvement in those areas. You would likely find a consultation with a surgeon to be very helpful in determining what would be best for your body. He or she would have the benefit of being able to weigh factors such as your age, remaining skin elasticity, body proportions and your genetics.
Deason Dunagan, MD
Huntsville Plastic Surgeon
+1

A thigh and buttock lift will help with loose skin after weight loss

The skin of the thigh and buttock loses its elasticity after weight gain and massive weight loss. Its unlikely that any laxity that you have at this time will recover spontaneously. Depending on the degree of laxity that you have along the surfaces of your thigh and buttock, you may benefit from a thigh lift and buttock lift procedure. There are several varieties, and a good plastic surgeon with a busy body contouring practice should be able to steer you in the right direction. Seek out... more
Scott Sattler, MD
Bellevue Plastic Surgeon
+1

Treating sagging thighs and buttocks after weight loss

Yes, a thigh lift may be what you need, and unfortunately you can't expect the skin to "bounce back" at this point. A lower body lift is a similar procedure to lift and reshape the outer thighs and buttocks. This will leave you with a scar around the waist, but the contour effects can be dramatic if you have a lot of loose skin from a significant weight loss. A medial thigh lift is what is usually needed for the inner thighs, and this will leave you with a vertical scar on your... more
Douglas J. Mackenzie, MD
Santa Barbara Plastic Surgeon
+1

Thigh Lift after weight loss

If fitness and weight loss efforts have not achieved your goals for a body that is firmer, more youthful-looking and more proportionate to your overall body image, a surgical thigh lift may be right for you. This surgery reshapes the thighs by reducing excess skin, and in some cases fat, resulting in smoother skin and better-proportioned contours of the thighs and lower body.
William J. Hedden, MD
Birmingham Plastic Surgeon
+1

Two types of thigh lift

A thigh lift will take care of the excess skin and fat in this area. Two types could be performed with different incisions. One horizontal in the groin and the second one along the inner aspect of the thigh. Hope that helps!
Hisham Seify, MD, PhD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

Thigh lift for sagging skin

A large weight gain often destroys the ability of the skin to spring back (IE Elasticity). When the weight is lost, the skin looks very much like a sail does when the wind goes away. If your weight has been stable for 6 months, it is safe to assume that what you see is what you are left with. In tackling body contouring, you will need to be very honest about what bothers you the most and prioritize your operations based on what you would like to fix first, second and third. Usually, we... more
Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Thigh lift

Congratulations on your weight loss. There are many ways to address your thighs. And the best option will depending your anatomy (the amount and exact location of your excess skin). A thigh lift can range from a groin crease incision/scar to a scar extending down the medial aspect of your thigh down to the knees. I would consult an ASPS member surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
C. Bob Basu, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon
+1

Buttock and or thigh lift

Thigh lifts will help to remove loose and excess skin. However, there are many different versions: inner thigh, outer thigh, circumferential. These can be combined with a buttock lift with or without augmentation. Scars can be circular, or vertical. You need to discuss the goals with a plastic surgeon.
Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Thigh lift helps part of the thigh.

Hello, Congratulations on the weight loss Gwen! There are a number of body lift operations geared for tightening soft tissue after weight loss. Thigh lift improvements generally concentrate on the inner part of the thigh. A lower body lift (buttock lift) works around the backside. You really need to be examined and have a discussion with your surgeon to figure which procedure(s) may work best for that which bothers you.
John P. Di Saia, MD
Orange Plastic Surgeon
+1

In general, a thigh lift will improve the appearance of...

In general, a thigh lift will improve the appearance of a thigh after weight loss. There are various procedures aimed at removing excess skin of the thighs. An appropriate consultation will be required to determine where the excess is located and the best method to help the situation. Also, the consultation should provide some information as to how much excess can be removed.
Gary M. Brownstein, MD
Cherry Hill Plastic Surgeon
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