Honest answer, how painful is a thigh lift compared with butt implants?

Thank you for your question regarding the pain associated with a medial thigh lift combined with a buttock lift. Everyone’s pain level is different.
Your experience and my experience are completely different in perspective of pain. Some people describe a thigh lift as worse than childbirth, and some describe it as not as bad as childbirth. I have had many patients barely take any pain pills after a thigh lift, but most of my patients take pain pills for several weeks after a thigh lift. Therefore, pain level after a thigh lift is completely individually based. In comparison to buttock implants, I would say the pain is different. However, the pain is probably equal in general. As the pain during a thigh lift, I use a pain pump that drips and pain medication for approximately 7 to 10 days. I would suggest you request this from your plastic surgeon. Every plastic surgeon’s regimen is different in terms of ambulation after a thigh lift. My main concern is patients can tear their incisions open by doing too much activity, even walking. Therefore my critique is usually to have patients on bed rest for 48 hours after that I left. After the 48 hours, I have them take approximately ten steps twice a day for two weeks. After two weeks I have them start to do more. After two weeks, activity is patient dependent and some patients can do more, some less, depending on the healing. I hope this helps through all of your fears regarding pain associated with the medial thigh lift as well as the ambulation after the thigh left. Good luck.

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, and International College of Surgery, and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)