Thigh Lift - What to Know and Tips for Recovery

I am only 7 days post op, but already I see things that are great. For instance, I can see through my legs. Finally daylight...ah that sounded creepy. I posted another review about the panniculectomy I had with it.
I am friggin sore. It hurts to walk because the incisions naturally go down you inner thigh to knee and up through your groin area. Now that my friends, that hurts. The combination surgical tape and glue makes your legs stick to eachother and where the edge of you underwear goes, rubs right against the surgical site.
And my surgery was paid for by insurance. Rare I am told. But I took pictures of skin infrction sores and boils that constantly plagues me. Even the huge black heads that form because the pores get clogged in the layers of loose skin. I went to a dermatologist to get the higher end speciality stamp of necessity. I made copies of pharmacy printouts for every time I had filled antbiotic or ointment, lotions etc. Even my urologist helped by stating skin removal will ease pressure of my bladder and therefore stopping medication for leakage,
So this is how it went. Got to hospital, crazy nervous. My surgery time was changed 3 times while waiting in the hallway cold. But it finally happened and it was amazing. I waiske up and the thighs is what I felt first. Wrapped up in ace bandage compressions and 2 lovely drains hanging out. I am posing pictures of the drains. I will do some of incisions later.
Oh, and listen, get yourself a walker before and a grabber. It makes life so much easier. Because sitting on the toliet is a problem . You pull and tug on those areas to sit, to shift weight. Yup...get ready.
But I promise you, when you look down and realize all the chaffing is going to be gone...its wonderful.
I will come back to post more later....feel free to ask questions.

A thigh lift is truly a major procedure to go through. Tummy Tucks get the most conversation on level of pain. But let me tell you, comparing it to my panniculectomy, thigh lift pain blasts it out of the water.

There are some things I really wish someone had warned me about. Or explained I needed to consider. But in case you are wondering, if it was worth it? Yes, for me it is. And if you have lost a great deal of weight, you will really appreciate what this can do for you once recovered. It truly changes the type of clothing you can wear and how you feel in them.

What you need to be aware off and know:
1. Hurts like hell, no way to sugar coat it.
2. Swells like water balloons on steroids
3. Pulsates and throbs through the compression wraps with every heart beat
4. Thighs rub and stick to each other because of the closure materials used.
5. Will require way more attention than expected. Buy some extra compression supplies.
6. Drains may stay in longer than anticipated.
7. Clothing choices are very restricted during initial recovery and until incisions close.
8. You will need many additional band aid supplies for each phase of healing.
9. Thighs need to be cushioned well when you rest and elevate them.
10. A raised toilet can really help in the 1st few days. Trying to sit and have your thighs expand once seated is a bit of a shock at first.
11. Makes sleeping really hard
12. Plan where you will actually sit or rest. For example, don't sit in the recliner most likely to be bumped into.
13. Use a walker to get up and sit down for first few days
14. Respect the power of poo.

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My surgeon's assistant shared during a more casual conversation she had a friend who went through a thigh lift and wished she had not done it simply in regards to the pain. I must admit. When she shared that almost cancelled my procedure. Boy am I ever glad I stuck to what I needed and wanted. But there is truth in the pain being a bit of a shock. I really didn't get what was possible for thigh pain. There really is not much to compare it too, common enough for explanation.

The swelling is expected. We all have sprained and ankle and been a bit surprised how much an ankle can swell. The thigh swelling is like that but worse. And you need to understand the swelling will go all the way down your leg. So elevation is very important. There is this magical balance between the need to walk and need to elevate. Your surgeon should guide you, but I found I had to elevate after brief periods of walking. And just like a sprained ankle, it will be much worse in the evening. Its counterintuitive but drinking more fluids helps drain them off. Don't get crazy, but do pay attention. The water will help your bowels too.

I was not sure what was happening at first. But when I felt my veins pulsate I go concerned. You will feel it at points and that just means either your compression bandages are on too tight, or you have swelled up quite a bit and need to take action. Stop and rest, elevate, or whatever may be going on. It most likely is going to be tied to something you are actually doing. I went crazy eating Bugles on afternoon. Stupid move. My thighs abruptly scolded me. After some fluids for a few hours things were normal, but I did not eat anything so salty again. Just listen to your body.

This is the biggest issue I had. Each PS will use different methods for closure of incisions. Mine seemed to have an identity crisis, or left closure to a intern or something. Because I got all types. Stitches followed by staples, followed by mesh stuck with surgical glue. Check out the photos for yourself. The photos were taken at 7 days post op. What a mess. But the problem was related to the glue. It was still very sticky and the incisions that were not covered by compression bandages stuck together constantly. It took alot of product testing to figure out what to use to stop it and be comfortable. The ABD pads given to me were so bulky. The gauze needed lots of tape, the wrong band aids would stick to the mesh and pull it...it was really frustrated. I also found the incision under the compression needed some protective passing too. I finally settled on some non-stick pads. I lined them up along the length of incision, especially the one close to the crotch area and used cloth tape to attach them. It worked the best. I added some ABD pads in the crotch for a few days and then just used non-stick pads. I think this whole issue will change if you do not have the same closure product used after surgery. But if you end up in the sticky situation I did. Try the pads out and avoid paper or plastic tape. Pick up some cloth tape at a drug store.

The healing process is intensive. I found myself feeling like my thighs were taking much more attention than expected. If you are having a thigh lift by itself, this may not strike you as significantly. But since I also had a panniculectomy at the same time. I had to tend to both areas. Having 4 drains is a lot of work. But a real irritation was the compression bandages you are sent home with will quickly loose there tension and stretch out. My stretched out and were very soiled by various forms of goo and glue. Replacing them was not as simple as expected. So many types just slide down or were not long or wide enough I got frustrated. I did by some standard ace bandages that could be thrown out once soiled and the sports ones to go over those. Doing this prevented the bandages from sliding down constantly. I also noticed that some of the back support products were nearly identical to sports thigh ones. I uploaded some photos to give you an idea.

I am at day 10 and all 4 of my drains are in. My left leg is still putting out over 100ccs a day. It is the most painful of all my drains. Everyone will be different and some may even have there's out by day 10. 2 weeks is the average according to my surgeon for his patients. My right leg is down to 40ccs a day. My panniculectomy drains are on a different schedule and will probably come out first. Just be prepared to have it take a bit longer than expected. You use your legs alot.

Constipation is a real bummer anytime general anesthesia is used. Pain meds cause constipation fast. I did not have any constipation at all. I had success by taking a Mirlax solution (1 capful in only 4-5 ounces of fluid) with each does of pain medication. Once my stools were soft and easy to move I used less solutions. I found some of my friends tried to use a stool softener each day became miserable fast. So try that out and avoid the extra pain. I tease my sons who have GI conditions, to respect the power of poo. It rules our lives when its bad.

Many of the things listed above are self explanatory but feel free to drop a note or question. If I can answer I will. I will keep posting as my journey continues and load photos for people to see. I am excited for each of you that chooses this surgery. I also hope some who are on the fences can get a better view. Please understand this is my experience and there are many others that may be quite different. I can only speak of mine. I do think some challenges are universal. But hopefully this helps. If you are already pretty skinny and just want a firmer look. Check with your PS. Big scars like these are definitely not ones easily covered up. So know your expectations.

Speedy recovery!

I am 11 days post-op today. Day 10 started off fine. But ended with some concern. Some incisions are closing just fine. But the one on my left thigh is angry looking today and areas of it have come open. I have staples poking out at many places, but only my left leg is painful. That drain has gone from an output of 60cc to 140cc. Clearly something is wrong.

I am waiting to hear back from PS office. But I am guessing I am in for a painful clean up and possible restitch. I am not sure what will happen with the drain. It is miserable.
Guess I will update here when Dr tells me what the plan is.