Inner Thigh Lift Safety? How often do blood clots and scars spreading occur and how can they be effectively avoided?

Question

Greetings, I am considering an inner thigh lift (female, mid-50's) due to weight loss. I am concerned about some of the thing I read about possibility of 1) blood clots and 2) scars spreading or widening. How often do these occur and how can they be effectively avoided?

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your questions regarding the safety of inner thigh lift and how often do blood clots occur during a thigh lift or thigh reduction. In general, inner thigh lift surgery is safe if you're medically healthy. It is important for you to follow all your plastic surgeon’s post-operative instructions for optimal post-operative healing.  There is an increased chance of blood clots with any surgical procedure and the medial thigh lift is no exception. The incidence of blood clots associated with the thigh lift depends upon associated factors including your personal history, your family history, age, and length of procedures. 
After a thigh lift or thigh reduction, I place all of my patients on two weeks of Lovenox to minimize the chances of blood clots. Also, in the first several days after surgery, I use sequential compression devices on the calves. The spread of the thigh lift scar is dependent on your plastic surgeon’s technique, your nutrition, your post-operative activity, as well as your post-operative care of the thigh lift scars. You should not place tension on the incision by excessive exercising or walking.  Decreased activity minimizes the spread of the thigh lift scars.  Post-operatively, I would also suggest once your thigh incisions have healed that you apply silicone cream and silicone strips to the thigh scar for approximately six months or more for optimal thigh lift scar healing. It is extremely important that your plastic surgeon has performed hundreds of thigh lifts before considering them to be your thigh lift plastic surgeon.  In general, usually, the benefits of a thigh lift or thigh reduction, far outweigh the risks.    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, 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

Complications could include wound separation and delayed wound healing, fluid collection, infection, and bleeding. Swelling right after the procedure can be solved by wearing a compression garment. Scarring will diminish over a year but scar treatments ( Silicone sheets, Mederma, and Biocorneum) can be applied. Excess fluid accumulation can be handled with drains. Blood clots and bleeding are common after the surgery and subside within 3-5 days. ( If your medical history warrants, blood thinners may be prescribed to decrease the likelihood of a clot.) Complications like pain, discomfort and numbness can be dealt with through ice packs and medication. Following the pre- and post-operative protocols of your board certified plastic surgeon can minimize complications and facilitate healing.

Siamak Agha, MD, PhD, FACS · Answer

Congratulations on your weight loss! In my practice, we follow a specific protocol to prevent blood clot formation. This includes a combination of appropriate medical clearance before surgery, positioning during surgery, and walking and heparin injections after surgery.Scar widening can occur from different things. To ensure proper healing, I perform a three layer closure. Patients are thoroughly educated on what to do pre and post-operatively in order to have adequate healing. We also monitor you and your incisions frequently to be sure they are healing properly. Be sure you consult with a board certified plastic surgeon who has experience with thigh surgeries and/or weight loss patients. On average, we perform between 30 to 50 thigh procedures per year as oppose to 2-3 that most surgeons perform. Please view our body lift gallery where most patients have had an inner thigh lift, our pioneered Spiral Thigh Lift procedure ,or thigh reduction surgery in addition to their body lift. Best of luck!
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