Can you have thigh lift surgery with a large varicose vein that runs down the thigh? (Photo)

Question

I have scheduled a thigh lift consultation for Feb. So I will absolutely ask my surgeon then if it can be done however I want some insight before I go as Feb seems a long way off at the moment. I have a large bobbly vein and I want to know whether this has to be treated before surgery, can be treated during a thigh lift... or can be done afterwards. Thank you.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi, thank you for your question regarding whether you can have a thigh lift, thigh reduction surgery with a “large”, varicose vein running down your inner thigh. From your pictures, you have a distinct varicose vein running down the medial aspect or inner aspect of the upper left knee. Almost all my patients after weight loss have varicose veins. In over 50% of thigh reduction that I perform, I remove varicose veins or branches of the great saphenous vein. An experienced plastic surgeon will know how to handle these veins at the same time as the medial thigh lift. However, in the US, reconstructive plastic surgeons should feel very comfortable removing the varicose vein at the same time as the thigh reduction In my opinion, there is no point in having two surgeries to treat the thigh skin and fat and the thigh vein. However, if your plastic surgeon is not comfortable removing your thigh varicose vein, I would have a vascular surgeon remove the thigh vein first. If your plastic surgeon is not comfortable in removing your varicose vein, I would suggest you have the thigh vein removed before the thigh reduction because if you are planning to have the vein removed after the thigh reduction, the placement and resection of the thigh skin will be very limited due to the position of this vein. That means your plastic surgeon will be limited on the amount of skin and fat that can be excised due the position of this vein. If you have the vein removed first, then the plastic surgeon can remove as much as they wish. However, in my opinion I would remove the vein at the same time as the thigh reduction. I hope I have answered your question if you can have a thigh reduction with a large varicose vein in the thigh.  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 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.)

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Hello, thank you for your question. You may need an ultrasound study of your deep veins before surgery, but the superficial veins themselves will not get in the way of your thigh lift. I recommend you to schedule a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon.

Can you have thigh lift surgery with a large varicose vein that runs down the thigh? (Photo)

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Can you have thigh lift surgery with a large varicose vein that runs down the thigh? (Photo)

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Everything you need to know about Thigh Lift

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