No medical comorbidities - what's the reasoning for having to stay overnight for a thigh lift & some lipo?

Thank you for your question regarding the need for an overnight stay after a thigh lift with some liposuction.

A thigh lift, even without significant medical comorbidities and with minimal liposuction, is not a minor procedure. This surgery involves extensive tissue manipulation, including the removal of excess skin and fat, and the repositioning of remaining tissues. Due to the nature of the procedure, there is a significant risk of postoperative complications, such as bleeding, fluid accumulation (seromas), and infection, which can be more effectively managed in a controlled hospital environment.

Staying overnight allows for close monitoring of your vital signs, the surgical site, and your overall recovery process. Immediate access to medical care in the event of a complication is a key reason for this recommendation. Additionally, after a thigh lift, mobility can be significantly restricted, making it challenging to walk, use the bathroom, or perform other basic functions without assistance. An overnight stay ensures you receive the necessary support, including pain management and help with mobility.

You may be encouraged to get up and move around with assistance to reduce the risk of blood clots, but you won’t be confined to bed with a urinary catheter unless absolutely necessary. The goal is to help you start a safe and smooth recovery while minimizing risks.

In summary, thigh lift surgery is a significant procedure that requires diligent aftercare. The overnight stay is a precautionary measure to ensure your safety and to address any issues that may arise during the critical initial hours of your recovery.

Sincerely,

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FASMBS, FICS

Thank you for your inquiry! Some physicians will have certain cases stay overnight just for close monitoring. We would love to meet with you to discuss your options. Schedule a consultation with a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon to help you reach your goals.

There is certainly no right or wrong answer to admission vs. outpatient surgery. Once of the largest concerns with any surgery, but in particular thigh lifts, is deep vein thrombosis. Overnight admission will allow you the opportunity to ambulate with a nurse and receive sequential compression devices the night following your procedure in order to decrease your risk of DVT. Many surgeons prefer this to outpatient therapy as it can be difficult to walk following the procedure and immobility increases your risk of DVT.

You will need to discuss this with your surgeon. An overnight stay is needed if surgery extends beyond a certain time period, usually at least 6 hours, but could be 5. Every surgeon operates at a different speed. Also, your facility will require an overnight based on its accreditation (some are 5 hours, some are 6, and some are longer). If your surgery is over 4 hours, you will need a catheter. Some may be removed in recovery and some catheters are kept overnight. Ask your surgeon how long he/she estimates your procedure.

This question is best answered by your surgeon who is most familiar with the details of your surgery and your medical history. Typically the procedures as you described them could be performed on an outpatient basis, but your surgeon may choose to be more conservative. It may so you can be offered better pain control or have closer observation for any concerns. You should be able to get out of bed to walk around but will likely need assistance to do so (which would be true if you were in the hospital or at home).

These are all questions. You should have your provider address since they are specific to your provider.
Perhaps outpatient surgery is an option.
If your provider recommends you spend the night then ask them why.
Hopefully you had a thorough in person consultation at which time all of these things were discussed and explained.
If not, then I suggest you schedule one.
It’s also not a bad idea to get multiple consultations before selecting a provider.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD