Can you offer any guidance on how to repair a medial thigh lift that has gone wrong? (Photo)

Question

I had a disastrous medial thigh lift two years ago with devastating consequences. I'm suffering two major issues due to excess skin removal including a tight web of skin running across my mons pubis. My labia majora is now attached to my inner thighs, my vagina is pulled permanently open, causing extreme dryness & ongoing discomfort. I've ceased hobbies & daily activities as the discomfort is too unbearable. Intimacy is severely compromised due to pain & anxiety. Skin grafting is not an option for various reasons. Can anyone please help as this is ruining my life. Thank you.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your questions regarding suboptimal results after a medial thigh lift. Though you did not state it, I presume you had a crescent thigh lift or a thigh lift where the incision is placed high in the groin. The crescent thigh lift surgery is known to have a high complication rate. This high complication rate is due to the inner thigh anatomy and difficulty performing the inner thigh surgery. If your plastic surgeon is not experienced, too much tissue can easily be removed. From your description, it appears that the inner thigh was not anchored correctly to the pelvic periosteum or the, at least, fascia of the inner thigh.  In addition, it sounds like too much skin was removed. Since too much tissue was removed, the solution is to return the tissue to the area. This could be done with a skin graft or a soft tissue flap. With a soft tissue flap, muscle is taken from the inner thigh and rotated into the groin. This pedicled rotation flap may have attached skin or require a graft on top. Another option is the insertion of tissue expanders which create new skin. After the tissue expanders have been removed, the newly generated skin can be mobilized into position. Another modality is a Z-plasty of existing contractures.  However, this would be only limited benefit.  If you truly want this area treated, you need to come to a realization that you will probably need a skin graft.  I specialize in thigh lifts.  I hope that I have answered your questions regarding the thigh reduction.  If you have any more questions regarding the thigh lift, thigh reduction, vertical thigh lift, medial thigh lift, spiral thigh lift, crescent thigh lift, or thigh lipo, please contact my office.   Please seek an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon with significant experience performing thigh lifts. Do your research.  Make sure your chosen plastic surgeon has performed at least 100 thigh lifts.  Make sure they have the before and after pictures to prove it.  Carefully examine their before and after pictures and check their reviews on RealSelf.   Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. (“Verified” Plastic Surgeon, President of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons, Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, International College of Surgery, and American Board of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, and ​member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)

Nick Masri, MD, FACS · Answer

So sorry to hear about your disastrous thigh lift, MarjorieProops.
I’m not sure why skin grafting isn’t an option, but based on your photo, I think skin grafting can really make a difference in your condition.
Anyway, the best thing to do is to consult a reputable and board-certified plastic surgeon and get yourself checked out.
Good luck!

Leana Teston, MBBS(Hons), FRACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. I am sorry that you have had to go through a complication like this. 
It appears that too much skin has been removed, resulting in the pulling of the remaining skin. I am not sure why skin grafting is not an option for you, as this may well be required. Multiple flaps may help with z-plasties. Tissue expansion on the inner thighs could be a possibility, although it would certainly be difficult to put up with while expansion is proceeding, and depending on the thickness of your skin in that area, it is possible that the tissue expanders may work their way through the scar. The expansion would have to be done very slowly. This is the only way that does not involve taking skin from somewhere else, whether it be a skin graft or a skin flap. 
You definitely need to have something done to improve the quality of your life, so I hope this answer helps. 
Regards,
Dr Leana Teston

Peter Fisher, MD (retired) · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. So sorry about your complications. I know you said no to skin grafting but that may be your only solution. Multiple Z plasties may work (that is redirecting the the scar and incision lines). Definitely need multiple opinions preferably from a teaching hospital with a big Plastics program. All the best.Peter Fisher M.D

Can you offer any guidance on how to repair a medial thigh lift that has gone wrong? (Photo)

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Answer: Medial thigh lift complications

Answer: Medial thigh lift complications

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Can you offer any guidance on how to repair a medial thigh lift that has gone wrong? (Photo)

Answers (4)

Answer: Medial thigh lift complications

Answer: Medial thigh lift complications

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Everything you need to know about Thigh Lift

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