Thigh Lift Scars: Vertical vs. Horizontal

But if you must tattoo your scars, I would wait until the scars have fully matured and you and your doctor have decided that no touch-up or revisional surgery is recommended. A year (rarely more) may be necessary for maximum scar softening, settling, and fading (maturation).

Vertical or horizontal incision choice depends on the distribution and degree of skin laxity. No one answer is "correct" for all patients, especially for those who have has massive weight loss and have lots of loose skin to tailor surgically.

The vertical scar is not as bad as the wrinkled saggy skin, so I would disagree with my colleagues who would try to dissuade you from this scar (if you truly need it). The horizontal scar is not a "slam dunk" of scar perfection either, and needs careful technique with someone experienced in proper attachment of the thigh skin to Colles ligament and other support tissues, in order to minimize scar widening and migration down the inner thigh.

                  The
type of incision utilized when performing thigh lift surgery is entirely dependent
upon the patients anatomy and aesthetic goals.  When the deformity is relatively mild a horizontal incision
can be placed in the groin crease.  This incision is nicely hidden in this
location and usually provides a good aesthetic result.

                  When
the deformity is more significant and excess tissue is present in multiple
dimensions a more aggressive procedure is indicated.  This procedure will require excision of excess tissue in
both the vertical and horizontal planes. 
This usually involves extending the transverse incision along the inner
aspect of the thigh to level of the knee.

                  Both
of these incisions remove and tighten excess thigh skin and significantly
improve thigh contour.  They are
associated with high satisfaction rates amongst patients.  Unfortunately both horizontal and
vertical thigh lift incisions can be associated with unattractive scars.  For this reason, meticulous surgical
technique is necessary whenever performing this procedure.  Horizontal incisions can be easily
hidden by clothing along the groin crease, but in many cases there’s no way to
hide the vertical incision.

                  It’s
not unusual for patients to develop skin sag after aggressive liposuction.  Under these circumstances many patients
require some type of thigh lift procedure.  The exact procedure chosen is dependent upon the patient’s
anatomy.  In your case it’s hard to
make a determination without a physical examination or pictures that extend to
the knee level.  In addition,
tattoos can be utilized to hide scarring, but that should be delayed until
wound healing is complete.

                  If
you’re considering thigh lift surgery, consultation with a board certified
plastic surgeon is appropriate. This surgeon should be able to formulate an
appropriate treatment plan that addresses your concerns.  

Different Plastic Surgeons with great experience and results often argue the answer to your question. The most important choice is finding the best surgeon (see below link).                        My choice as to whether a vertical scar is needed is on the basis of my exam and where the most excess skin is located. For example if a roll  of skin high up  on the inside of the thigh then a groin scar incision is  preferred, where as if there is circumferential excess from the knee to the groin then a vertical incision is best in my hands