POSTED UNDER Thigh Lift REVIEWS
So Far Disappointed with the Thigh Lift /thighplasty - Charlotte, NC
ORIGINAL POST
I'm only 5 days post op from my thigh lift and...
$8,300
I'm only 5 days post op from my thigh lift and brachioplasty. This is phase 2 of my total body lift after 140lb weightloss from gastric bypass surgery and healthier lifestyle and exercise over 8 years. My original surgeon and I came up with a surgical plan. Unfortunately, after my circumferential tummy tuck and first brachioplasty he left the practice. So I met with another surgeon within the practice to come up with another surgical plan.
This surgeon decided a crescent thigh lift along with liposuction on the outer thighs would give me the results that I was seeking. I know there is still quite a bit of swelling since I'm only 5 days post op, but I'm still seeing large saddlebags/ pockets of fat on the thighs and even the inner thighs still seem to have lax skin. I may be wrong, but if these areas are loose with all the swelling won't it be worse when the swelling goes down?. The other thing that's bothering me is the incisions. They are below the groin area so I'm thinking they will drop below any kind of bikini lines. I have a follow up appointment in a couple days so I will be expressing my concerns then. However, if anyone has any suggestions of the questions I should be asking, then please let me know! Also please let me know if I'm over reacting and this is pretty normal results. I've attached photos so you can see my concerns. Thanks all! I'm just really upset and disappointed over this phase of my surgery right now!
This surgeon decided a crescent thigh lift along with liposuction on the outer thighs would give me the results that I was seeking. I know there is still quite a bit of swelling since I'm only 5 days post op, but I'm still seeing large saddlebags/ pockets of fat on the thighs and even the inner thighs still seem to have lax skin. I may be wrong, but if these areas are loose with all the swelling won't it be worse when the swelling goes down?. The other thing that's bothering me is the incisions. They are below the groin area so I'm thinking they will drop below any kind of bikini lines. I have a follow up appointment in a couple days so I will be expressing my concerns then. However, if anyone has any suggestions of the questions I should be asking, then please let me know! Also please let me know if I'm over reacting and this is pretty normal results. I've attached photos so you can see my concerns. Thanks all! I'm just really upset and disappointed over this phase of my surgery right now!
UPDATED FROM sherri0121
6 days post
Labia distortion after thigh lift
How much due diligence does one due? One may know the questions to ask, but how do you know the answers you are getting is the correct answers. I felt like I asked the correct questions and saw the pics that I needed to see the results I was seeking. I'm just sick with the thought that I know have a distorted labia. I now have a vagina that looks like a triangle if I spread my legs just slightly. I have no labia it just goes smooth into my leg. Unfortunately, in the pics the surgeon shows it doesn't show a persons' labia. I wish people would also post the disappointing results from their surgeons or at least do an update after an amount healing time. I'm just sick to my stomach and I had to explain my disappointment to my husband which was quite embarrassing to admit. Though he was quite supportive.
Replies (14)
October 27, 2015
It makes me very sad to hear your story. In the wrong hands, labial spreading is a common complication of a thigh lift. These are difficult operations and ideally should only be performed by specialists in post massive weight loss plastics. In my case I live in Atlanta and believe it or not, there was no one there I was comfortable with. If you need a 2nd opinion PLEASE reach out to my plastic surgeon Dr. Fisher in San Antonio who does specialize in these procedures and is the most approachable surgeon I've ever met.
October 28, 2015
During my appointment with the PS today, he and his nurse (she's been with him for 10 years) insist that all is normal with me and that things will relax as the swelling goes down and they are certain that I will be pleased with the results. I just have to be patient. I'm still skeptical. I told the nurse she can call me a lier in six months if they are correct.
October 28, 2015
I had a thighplasty with a plastic surgeon in Atlanta and one of my first questions to her was " how does she handle labia spreading during the surgery"?. I had already done my research and knew the correct answer but I wanted to see if she knew the correct answer answer before I allowed her to touch me for my surgery. And she was spot on with her answer. And my surgery went off without a hitch. As for your questions, I really don't think you will see much change after the swelling goes down in the thigh areas but your tummy looks awesome. I'm so sorry you are having disappointing results. It sucks to spend all that money and pain and not be pleased with the outcome. I'm not trying to be mean, just honest. Keep us posted.
October 30, 2015
I am, too! I've been researching and haven't found the correct answer, so, Nipper - please share! I'm also in Atlanta and would like the name of your surgeon.
January 3, 2016
Hi ladies- I am copying and posting some information from a conversation I read. The Dr had said the following
" Since most of us doing thigh lifts have switched to predominately a vertical excision (up and down the middle thigh) of most of the tissue rather then more horizontal oriented one, I just don't see people have problems with that. The issue is that the classic thigh lift hidden in the groin supported all the weight of the lower thigh skin. To offset that, you have to hitch the skin to the firm tissue on the pubic bone. If those sutures don't hold, you get a lot of pull down and out on the groin incision which displaces the labia laterally."
That still seemed a bit wordy to me. SO I asked my Dr and he further explained that the confusion comes in the L-shaped incision for a thigh lift and just the groin incision. If a PS tries to just use a groin incision for pulling up all the skin down the inner thigh, you run the risk of this type of complication. It becomes more of a problem as skin heals and tightens. Just be really sure to discuss this FULLY with your PS and ask him/her specifically about the type of incision they will be doing. Know what type of areas you are needing skin removed from. If you only need a bit of lift near the knees, one type may be needed. If you have lots of bulge inner thigh near vagina, you need another, and if you have it down the upper thigh and near vagina you need both. Some women just do not want the massive scars a thigh lift leaves, so they attempt a groin only incision that can be best hidden. Doing that can be risky...again depending on what needs to be done.
That is what I found out. I can also share that your vagina and pubic area will absolutely look different following a thigh lift. But remember, it has been crowded with skin, often you are completely shaved in that area, and there will be lots of swelling around the vaginal area. If you do end up with labial spreading....it is indeed a costly, painful, emotionally draining procedure to endure. Best to avoid that risk by seeing a Dr specializing in massive weight loss surgeries.
Hope this helps. Also think about messaging a community manager here. They typically can find info we miss or refer you to better sources.
https://www.realself.com/question/thigh-lift-scar-vertical-horizontal
" Since most of us doing thigh lifts have switched to predominately a vertical excision (up and down the middle thigh) of most of the tissue rather then more horizontal oriented one, I just don't see people have problems with that. The issue is that the classic thigh lift hidden in the groin supported all the weight of the lower thigh skin. To offset that, you have to hitch the skin to the firm tissue on the pubic bone. If those sutures don't hold, you get a lot of pull down and out on the groin incision which displaces the labia laterally."
That still seemed a bit wordy to me. SO I asked my Dr and he further explained that the confusion comes in the L-shaped incision for a thigh lift and just the groin incision. If a PS tries to just use a groin incision for pulling up all the skin down the inner thigh, you run the risk of this type of complication. It becomes more of a problem as skin heals and tightens. Just be really sure to discuss this FULLY with your PS and ask him/her specifically about the type of incision they will be doing. Know what type of areas you are needing skin removed from. If you only need a bit of lift near the knees, one type may be needed. If you have lots of bulge inner thigh near vagina, you need another, and if you have it down the upper thigh and near vagina you need both. Some women just do not want the massive scars a thigh lift leaves, so they attempt a groin only incision that can be best hidden. Doing that can be risky...again depending on what needs to be done.
That is what I found out. I can also share that your vagina and pubic area will absolutely look different following a thigh lift. But remember, it has been crowded with skin, often you are completely shaved in that area, and there will be lots of swelling around the vaginal area. If you do end up with labial spreading....it is indeed a costly, painful, emotionally draining procedure to endure. Best to avoid that risk by seeing a Dr specializing in massive weight loss surgeries.
Hope this helps. Also think about messaging a community manager here. They typically can find info we miss or refer you to better sources.
https://www.realself.com/question/thigh-lift-scar-vertical-horizontal
October 29, 2015
Hang in there. I can hear how disappointed and hopeless you feel right now. Know that you're right in the window that post-surgery when mood tanks and everything seems absolutely the worst possible outcome. You don't know yet how things will turn out-- Keep your compression on, and try to distract yourself with doing small things every day toward recovering. It's not your fault for not knowing all the questions you could have asked. You had a super result from that office before, and there was no reason to suspect otherwise for this surgery. Sometimes people ask all the right questions and things still go bad. Best case: Things will turn out okay. Worst case: You'll need a revision. Everything is solveable and you will be happy eventually. Take care.
October 31, 2015
She attaches the underlying tissues to and around the pubic bone . That's the best way I can explain it without going into things really technically. Research some of medical articles on the internet that talk about this. Read , read, read.
November 4, 2015
I will say 2 weeks out and it does seem as I was panicking in the beginning. The labia has started to look somewhat normal. I think I was just overreacting which I'm sure is quite common.
November 5, 2015
The same happened to me, I am 4 weeks post op and I have gone back to normal but I know the initial shock when you first have it done as I felt it deformed me. My PS asured me everything would be OK as I was so swollen and he stitched me in the groin to prevent and labia distortion. Our body's will take about six months before me see our best results. Good luck.
January 3, 2016
Hi ladies- I am copying and posting some information from a conversation I read. The Dr had said the following
" Since most of us doing thigh lifts have switched to predominately a vertical excision (up and down the middle thigh) of most of the tissue rather then more horizontal oriented one, I just don't see people have problems with that. The issue is that the classic thigh lift hidden in the groin supported all the weight of the lower thigh skin. To offset that, you have to hitch the skin to the firm tissue on the pubic bone. If those sutures don't hold, you get a lot of pull down and out on the groin incision which displaces the labia laterally."
That still seemed a bit wordy to me. SO I asked my Dr and he further explained that the confusion comes in the L-shaped incision for a thigh lift and just the groin incision. If a PS tries to just use a groin incision for pulling up all the skin down the inner thigh, you run the risk of this type of complication. It becomes more of a problem as skin heals and tightens. Just be really sure to discuss this FULLY with your PS and ask him/her specifically about the type of incision they will be doing. Know what type of areas you are needing skin removed from. If you only need a bit of lift near the knees, one type may be needed. If you have lots of bulge inner thigh near vagina, you need another, and if you have it down the upper thigh and near vagina you need both. Some women just do not want the massive scars a thigh lift leaves, so they attempt a groin only incision that can be best hidden. Doing that can be risky...again depending on what needs to be done.
That is what I found out. I can also share that your vagina and pubic area will absolutely look different following a thigh lift. But remember, it has been crowded with skin, often you are completely shaved in that area, and there will be lots of swelling around the vaginal area. If you do end up with labial spreading....it is indeed a costly, painful, emotionally draining procedure to endure. Best to avoid that risk by seeing a Dr specializing in massive weight loss surgeries.
Hope this helps. Also think about messaging a community manager here. They typically can find info we miss or refer you to better sources.
" Since most of us doing thigh lifts have switched to predominately a vertical excision (up and down the middle thigh) of most of the tissue rather then more horizontal oriented one, I just don't see people have problems with that. The issue is that the classic thigh lift hidden in the groin supported all the weight of the lower thigh skin. To offset that, you have to hitch the skin to the firm tissue on the pubic bone. If those sutures don't hold, you get a lot of pull down and out on the groin incision which displaces the labia laterally."
That still seemed a bit wordy to me. SO I asked my Dr and he further explained that the confusion comes in the L-shaped incision for a thigh lift and just the groin incision. If a PS tries to just use a groin incision for pulling up all the skin down the inner thigh, you run the risk of this type of complication. It becomes more of a problem as skin heals and tightens. Just be really sure to discuss this FULLY with your PS and ask him/her specifically about the type of incision they will be doing. Know what type of areas you are needing skin removed from. If you only need a bit of lift near the knees, one type may be needed. If you have lots of bulge inner thigh near vagina, you need another, and if you have it down the upper thigh and near vagina you need both. Some women just do not want the massive scars a thigh lift leaves, so they attempt a groin only incision that can be best hidden. Doing that can be risky...again depending on what needs to be done.
That is what I found out. I can also share that your vagina and pubic area will absolutely look different following a thigh lift. But remember, it has been crowded with skin, often you are completely shaved in that area, and there will be lots of swelling around the vaginal area. If you do end up with labial spreading....it is indeed a costly, painful, emotionally draining procedure to endure. Best to avoid that risk by seeing a Dr specializing in massive weight loss surgeries.
Hope this helps. Also think about messaging a community manager here. They typically can find info we miss or refer you to better sources.
UPDATED FROM sherri0121
9 months post
Not happy with the crescent thigh lift. Having the vertical thigh lift done with a different surgeon.
I'm still not happy with the crescent thigh lift. The scars are at least an inch below the groin crease. Though it has flattened it is close to 1/4" wide. I will not be having the same plastic surgeon doing the vertical thigh lift. At this point, I do not trust his work. He may be a skilled, American Board certified plastic surgeon, but I don't think he has enough experience with thigh lifts. Since I'm consulting with a couple other surgeons I am looking at an additional $10-$20k over the revision costs (along with additional procedures). However, I only have one more shot with this. There is just enough vertical laxity that both surgeons believe they will be able to hide the incisions.
I feel the crescent thigh lift was a waste of time & money. If you are trying to achieve a smaller circumference in your thighs, then lipo and a crescent lift is NOT a good choice. I wish I didn't let my surgeon talk me into the crescent lift.
I've had consults with two other surgeons and I haven't made my final decision yet. I plan to go back one more time to each of them and have them mark me up just as they would do the morning of surgery to get a better understanding of what exactly would be done. Actually, I would make this suggestion to anyone having any procedures done- to have surgeons mark you up as they would do the morning of the surgery! It definitely makes for a better visual and understanding of exactly what will be done especially since I have learned if it's not on the quote it may not get done during surgery.
I feel the crescent thigh lift was a waste of time & money. If you are trying to achieve a smaller circumference in your thighs, then lipo and a crescent lift is NOT a good choice. I wish I didn't let my surgeon talk me into the crescent lift.
I've had consults with two other surgeons and I haven't made my final decision yet. I plan to go back one more time to each of them and have them mark me up just as they would do the morning of surgery to get a better understanding of what exactly would be done. Actually, I would make this suggestion to anyone having any procedures done- to have surgeons mark you up as they would do the morning of the surgery! It definitely makes for a better visual and understanding of exactly what will be done especially since I have learned if it's not on the quote it may not get done during surgery.
Replies (1)
July 31, 2016
This is exactly what happened to me...I went to one surgeon for a long thigh lift which i needed so badly but the surgeon decided to do an inner one instead and refused to do any liposuction since i was over 50, (I had no idea that was his standard) anyway whole surgery was a big waste of time and money, so not only did I have to go have liposuction, I also had to go have a very long thigh lift both with a different surgeon, and both turning out very nicely. If you haven't done so yet, please consult with Dr. Peter Fisher, it is well worth the trip to San Antonio, as he is known as the very best when it comes to these types of surgeries...I just wish I had gone to see him when I first started all of this.... (Dr. Fisher will have you send photos and then do a phone consult with you, there was no high-pressure sales pitch, in fact, one must work hard to get an opening...Lol) I came from out of state as do the majority of his patients. They help you arraign housing at a Homewood suites which is a full-service stay...all very easy.
Replies (6)
You are welcome to contact me anytime and I will post photos.
Take care and like you I have more surgery to go.
Margaret