Thigh Lift: Stories

Hi appleskinny1, thank you so much for writing to me. Congratulations on your weight loss, you have done so well. People are so cruel, and I am so sorry to hear that you have been tormented by their comments they should be applauding you for loosing your weight. You will feel so much better about yourself for choosing to go ahead with the surgery. I have always wanted slim legs, and it feels so good to finally be able to buy jeans, pants, knowing it doesn't matter what brand they are I know now that I will feel confident in them. My scars have healed so very well, I have been lucky. I have read some women have had a few problems. I don't know why, is it the doctor suturing a different way, I don't know. I know that if you are a smoker you skin is alot thinner i am told. My doctor said I must keep my knees together for 3 weeks, not to spread them. 6 weeks before sex and I will tell you now, I was very careful even after that. I did not want to put any unnecessary strain on my scars. My doctor was very good, having staples on the outside, and normal stitching on the inside (under the skin). I dressed them every day when I got home for a couple of weeks and then I had silicone gel tape on my scars for 8/10 weeks. It is over 3 months now and I still feel a pull sometimes inside my inner thigh and as the skin is so much more thinner. I have just been very careful, not pushed myself to do things and definitely made sure my legs didn't spread too much. My scars are very fine, still red or purple they change with the temperature, but I am very happy. Your doctor must feel you have too much skin to tighten, is that why your scar will be from your groin to your knee? I am actually going for a revision in August as my doctor didn't pull my posterior thigh up. Though it looks great, I still want to be tighter where the lipo was done and I have some softness on my outer thigh near my butt. I could really live with it, I just notice it when I lay down and do exercise. I have always wanted to wear a swimming costume without being conscious of my legs. If I wasn't going to do that I wouldn't go back for a revision, I look so skinny in jeans etc, When are you planning your surgery? It is a big thing to do and very nerve racking going under. But if you have a good surgeon you will be fine as mine kept such a tight rein on how things were going and made sure i had the best care in hospital, keeping me 10 days until all looked well and I felt fine to leave the hospital. I wish you all the best and please, i will help you out with any answers you need to know, or even to set your mind at ease. Although we are all different and react differently to surgery, pain, recovery, be positive, remember it is a major operation and be prepared, be fit, and if you have time have some lymphatetic drainage before you go in. I found it helped me so much. :-)

Hi Charlie Thank so very much for responding. You have given me alot to think about and very sound advice. I want to loose the last 5 kg before I touch base with my plastic surgeon, then I will be at an optimal BMI. I have given myself 3 months to do it. I am a non smoker and actually love going to the gym and running and I believe I have great muscle tone under all the loose skin. I am hoping to have the surgery this winter or maybe next winter, giving me more time to save. I dare say you are right about the scar. I do have excess skin all the way down my leg, perhaps that is why my doctor wants such a long incision. Do you think it is worth seeing your doctor for an opinion? It seemed excessive to me for a moment to fly up from melbourne for an opinion, but compared to the cost of the surgery and potential results I think it would be worth it. Also what exactly is lymphatic drainage and when/how often did you get it done? Regards,

Well you are doing all the right things, and its great you are working out and running. You can see the muscles in my legs now, they are thinner than in the photos from a few months ago. I always knew too that there were muscles to be seen underneath, but with my soft skin over the top they never had a chance of being seen. Have you been given a quote on how much the surgeon wants to charge you? Not that I am going on what each surgeon charges, but just how out of pocket it will all become. How long did your surgeon say you would be in hospital for? Are you covered by a private fund? I asked my doctor for another friend is it possible to have only a groin incision, he said if she has lost a lot of weight and has a lot of excess skin then there would be no other way to tighten her legs successfully thru just the groin, panty line incisions. Just thought I should mention that before you make an decision about flying up. But if you are after a doctor that is so careful with his surgeries, he will not operate on anyone if he feels they are not ready mentally for it he won't do it. He actually said that to me a few years ago, as he thought i had to many doubts. I trust him 100%. He really knows his stuff. See below, i have cut and pasted some info on lymphatic drainage for you. I had one once a week for a month. If I had thought of it earlier I would have had more. I believe it helped with me swelling etc. I had sluggish circulation and it really freed my body up. The Lymphatic system is our front line of defence in fighting bodily infections, detoxifying the body and transporting metabolic wastes, excess water, bacteria and toxins out of the body. The Lymph glands (at neck, armpits, groin, etc.) are connected by a broad network of vessels which transplant the fluid. Muscular movement is required to move it, as there is no "Heart" to pump it. Lymphatic Drainage is a gentle whole body treatment that relaxes the nervous system and aids the body's immune system. It is highly recommended for those prone to and recovering from sore throats, colds, infections, on-going tiredness, excess fluids, low immunity, swollen node and also for the physically inactive. Read more: http://www.naturaltherapypages.com.au/massage/Lymphatic_Drainage?source=ppc#ixzz2T4yby1oz

Thank you. Took.me 5 yrs to finally get to do it. Plenty of time to really feel it was right for me to do. So glad i did, very happy with results. Good luck with your surgery. When will you be having it?

Also what garment are you wearing?

Hi livinginPA, I had my surgery 10days ago. I was told never to use peroxide in the incision use bactine and just blot on the incision. My incisions are puckered and my surgeon said they will go down in time and once my stitches are removed i will start using something called new gel. CharlieJ incisions look amazing I'm also interested in hearing what she is using.

Mine are kinda puckered I have stitches no staples. I clean with peroxide and then I put neosporin on the stitching and leave uncovered. I ordered a garment to wear since I had a TT also. The 1st garment I bought for after surgery was too tight so they tore it off at surgery. I've been wearing the faja they gave me but my thighs are swollen so I need to get something for that.

LivinginPA, I have been wearing just a normal garment from sears online its capri length. My Dr recommended it because it doesn't have seams that would rub on the incision. Plus its cheap only $15 unlike jobe stockings which are over $100. Look on sears.com for capri length shapers. Hope this helps.

Yes I did purchase one at sears before I went to surgery high waist down to middle thighs I just have't worn it because it's not open crotch but it is seamless. I may have to try it own. What ointment did you use?

Hi LivinginPA and msbella I am wearing a post operative garment called Marena ComfortWear, which I was measured up for it by my doctors nurse at my preop apointment. It cost $190, I ended up buying 2 as I knew I would be wearing them for 6 weeks, plus now I am going to wear it another 2 weeks, saw my doctor on thursday and he is really happy with my results, he even said they are better than he thought it would be (i suppose because of my age, skin etc). These garments are specially made for after surgery, they are a medical grade compression which improves lymphatic drainage, smoothing the skin and reducing the appearance of cellulite. They are quite firm, zips and hooks down both sides and like I said before they are crutchless,. so i have to put cotton undies over the top. I wash them about every 2-3 days can go 4, depending how hot its been. They keep the swelling at bay too. As for the cream etc. I had these steri strips over my incisions/staples while in hospital which were impregnated with some sort of gel, and then over the top of that they put (after the combine pads were not used anymore to soak up any oozing) this tape to hold it on. That was kept on for 12 days. When I went for my check up my doctor put this silicone tape about 1 and half inches wide or more. It is skin colour and very sticky on the side that goes on the scar. I remove them before showering. Once a week I wash them. I have had them for 3 weeks now and he saw me the other day and wants them to stay on another 4 weeks and he didn't replace them as they are still in good condition and have enough silicone left on them. They are expensive, but I don't get charged extra as it is all part of the fee I paid for surgery and after care etc. Those strips are put on my scars from under my hips to the top of my groin. Then I put on this silicone gel on the groin scars as it would be too hard to keep the tape on there. This gel is call Cimeosil scar gel which he gave me to put on after every shower, sparingly. It is very thick and sticky and I am only suppose to smear a little over the scars. This was supplied to me as well and now I am on my second batch. He is really pleased with the scars, but he said next time he sees me and the parts of the incision that are still quite pink he will put a steroid injection in them to lighten them. But as for puckering etc, no I didn't have any and my scarring if very flat. When you say you are worried about one leg LivinginPA, what is wrong with it? I was on antibotics for 3 weeks. My Dr always puts his patients on them, and I had blot clot injections twice daily while in hospital, he insists this is to be done. I hope you both are going well, please keep me posted. :-)

that was blood clot lol

CharlieJ I have decided that the care you're receiving in Australia is way better then what I am in Chicago....I swear the US is terrible when it comes to healthcare. When i see my Dr. On Monday to have the stitches removed I will get the same kind of gel strips and the gel ointment for the groin area I hear it's the best one for scars.

Helllo and thank you so much for the great comments....especially hearing you are going to show my photos to your surgeon. That is brilliant, I must say my doctor is amazing. I had been told he was, and heard great things, but I still couldn't get him to show me many photos, of his results, so this was like, why don't you have any? He said is was all to do privacy, and only if patients of course agreed. I understand that. They did give me a womans number to call as she was so happy with the results of all the work he did one day. So I just trusted him, and what ever info I could get. Have you thought of seeing my doctor in Bondi Junction....it would definitely be worth it. I am 52, weighed 63.7kilos before hand, weigh 62 kilos now, but my doctor said i still have swelling and will take awhile to go down and my weight. I was never overweight, oh I fluctated up and down in my 30s, but always worked out, and then adjusted to watching what I ate so I didn't put on weight. I never liked my legs, though that would be the first place for me to put on weight....thighs!!!! I just wanted nice legs, and hey....wanted to know what it is like to wear shorts and feel good about it. I just can't believe I don't have big thighs anymore, its such a good feeling. With the scarring, it will definitely fade, just like an appendix scar. Have you had your appendix out? Another thing is...do you scar and heal easily? That will be another factor. But think about it...you won't even see the scars in undies. Do you smoke? Have you had a lot of weight loss? Apparently if you have lost a lot of weight and have a lot of excess skin, you may have to have the scar vertically (down the inside of your leg). Also if you smoke your healing process may be different as your skin may not be as in as good health and you will have to be careful that your skin doesn't tear....don't want to scare you, but have you read some stories on here. I had contact with one lady and she ended up having gaps in the scars...opening up, She smoked and she said her skin wasn't as good as a person who didn't smoke. Also I made sure i didn't drink for a month, was fit, had massages and lymphatic drainage a month before i went in for surgery. I am so glad my blog has been helpful for you and I am happy to answer anything you want to know and I am really interested to know how you go when you do go in for surgery. Please keep us all updated. :-)

Hi There, I am also in Melbourne and am considering a lower body lift/ thigh lift. I have been recommended Dr R. Bloom. Is this the surgeon you are seeing? Apparently he does the contestants from the Biggest Loser and is very well known and respected. I wanted to avoid a scar running from the groin down my leg as I am really anxious about the scars showing. My research had shown a procedure like charlie's where the scar runs where the bikini line is but I think I have too much loose skin for that. Would love to hear from you and how the procedure went! Regards

Thanks cacm, I feel so good too. Its a great feeling to be able to walk around the house in my undies and not get self conscious in front of my husband.

I am so glad you think my scars are good, thank you. Have you seen some bad ones? When you say opening holes??? wow that doesn't sound too good. I have heard if people smoke etc, their skin isn't as good as someone that doesn't. I don't smoke, am a vegetarian, eat fresh food, hardly any processed and keep fairly fit and healthy. Do you smoke?. Yes, vertical is the way to go if you can. As for the toilet....I think is was uncomfortable because of the lipo.... How was it for you? As for the incisions.. that wasn't the problem. Though you cannot spread your legs for 3 weeks, though my doctor preferred I didn't for 6 weeks. So I think it was mainly uncomfortable, sore to sit because of the lipo. Because of the compression garment and taking antibotics it caused me to have thrush as it takes away all the good bacteria down there. That was unpleasant as it was on the back of my legs under my bum cheeks, and because at first they said i could urinate in the garment because it it crutchless, well....that didn't work, so my garment was a bit wet and didn't breathe, and well you know not pleasant to sit in after that, but i only had one garment. So I took it back off until the thrush cleared up...probably for about 3 days, it started to heal and then it was better and has been ever since.... If you have a crutchless compression garment, do not believe them when they say you can wee in it....utterly ridiculous!!!!! lol

All the best, i am so happy for you. Can't wait to hear how you go. Please keep me posted :-)

Hi Tiffany How are you doing? Is everything going well for you?