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It’s Miami, which means shorts, skirts, and swimsuits. But, it can be difficult to enjoy the warm weather if you’re constantly concerned about the appearance of your thighs. Sagging skin, irregular contour, and wrinkles on the thighs can make you self-conscious, hiding in pants and long dresses even on the warmest days.

It may seem impossible to tone up the thighs, especially if you have excess skin that doesn’t respond to diet or exercise. But, there is another option: the thigh lift. A thigh lift is a common surgical procedure that can help improve the appearance of the thighs, making you confident to wear your favorite summer clothes again!

Dr. Silvia Rotemberg is a board certified plastic surgeon who always stands by her mantra: “Look Good, Feel Good.” If you are ready to look good and feel good about your thighs, contact her Florida office today and request a consultation.

About Thigh Lifts

A thigh lift, also known as thighplasty, focuses on the appearance and contour of the upper legs. This area becomes increasingly resistant to diet and exercise techniques with age, leading to the appearance of fat deposits, cellulite, and excess skin. A thigh lift helps remove excess skin that can’t be addressed with exercise and tightens the skin for improved tone and contour.

Dr. Silvia Rotemberg believes that no two surgeries are exactly alike and a thigh lift is no exception. Please read below to learn more about the general techniques utilized in a thigh lift and then contact our office in Miami, FL to request a consultation. During the consultation, Dr. Silvia Rotemberg will customize a procedure plan for the patient to help meet his or her goals.

Good Candidates

Men and women who have excess skin on their thighs that gives them the appearance that they are “sagging” may be good candidates for a thigh lift. However, in order to ensure safety during the procedure and a positive result, there are certain criteria that the patient must meet prior to undergoing surgery.

Firstly, patients should have excess skin on their thighs that is negatively impacting their appearance. Thighplasty is not designed for patients who have excess fat on their thighs and it is not an alternative to healthy diet and exercise. Dr. Silvia Rotemberg may additionally be able to perform liposuction to help remove stubborn fat deposits from the thighs, but this is considered a supplementary procedure. For these reasons, patients should be at a healthy and stable weight. Patients who have excess skin on their thighs as a result of weight loss are often good candidates. However, they should be committed to maintaining their weight loss through eating healthy and leading an active lifestyle.

Secondly, patients should be in good general health. They should inform Dr. Silvia Rotemberg of any chronic conditions they have at the time of the consultation. They should not smoke or drink heavily, as smoking and drinking can negatively affect their recovery. Furthermore, patients should be in good mental health. It is important to keep in mind that cosmetic surgery is not only physically taxing, but it can be emotionally taxing as well. Patients should also have realistic expectations for the surgery.

In order to ultimately determine one’s candidacy for a thigh lift, it is important to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Silvia Rotemberg. Contact her office today to request a consultation.

Consultation

The consultation is the basis for the rest of the surgical process. It is not only a time for the doctor to assess one’s candidacy, but also the time to inform the patient about the details of the process so that they can ultimately decide whether or not thighplasty is right for them. Here is a sampling of what to expect during a thigh lift consultation:

  • Discuss the details of the procedure, so that the patient understands what the surgeon will be doing during the surgery
  • Go over options that the patient will have, such as what thigh lift technique is best for them
  • Discuss why the patient is interested in a thigh lift and their desired results
  • Perform a physical examination to determine if they would benefit from a thigh lift
  • Recommend additional or alternative treatments that may help the patient better achieve their desired results
  • Photograph the thighs to be used as “before” photographs and for further evaluation
  • Discuss the patient’s medical history and evaluate the patient’s medical records
  • Explain the surgical risks
  • Explain how to minimize these risks and how to recover from surgery
  • Use the doctor’s expertise to answer any questions the patients may have

    • At the end of the consultation, Dr. Silvia Rotemberg will also be able to provide a quote for the cost of the procedure. At this time, the patient will also have the opportunity to schedule their surgery date.

    Thigh Lift Techniques

    In general, thigh lifts are performed on an outpatient basis with general anesthesia. Depending on the patient’s areas of concern and desired results, Dr. Silvia Rotemberg will utilize one or more of the following thigh lift techniques.

    Inner Thigh Lift

    As the name suggests, an inner thigh lift focuses on excess skin on the inside of the thigh. For this technique, Dr. Silvia Rotemberg will make an incision where the thigh meets the pubic area. This incision allows the doctor to access the areas of concern, while also utilizing a discreet incision. Any resulting scarring can be easily covered up with a swimsuit or underwear. A wedge of skin and tissue will be removed and the remaining skin will be tightened for improved contour.

    Outer Thigh Lift

    An outer thigh lift, opposite to the aforementioned technique, focuses on excess skin on the outside of the thigh. It is also sometimes called a bilateral thigh lift. For this technique, Dr. Silvia Rotemberg will make an incision at the outside top of the leg, wrapping around the groin and the buttocks. She makes this incision so that it is easily covered by most swimsuits and underwear. Similar to the inner thigh lift, a wedge of skin and tissue will be removed and the remaining skin will be tightened to remove contour. This technique also allows the doctor to easily address both the front and the back of the outer thigh. Outer thigh lift technique is most commonly performed on patients who have lost a significant amount of weight.

    Vertical Thigh Lift

    A vertical thigh lift, sometimes also called a medial thigh lift, focuses on the inner thigh. This technique utilizes the same incision as an inner thigh lift, plus a secondary incision that runs vertically down the inner thigh. This gives the doctor greater access not only to the skin of the inner thigh but also the tissue and fat in this area. It is a good technique for patients who are concerned about the shape of their thighs but have been unsuccessful at toning them through diet and exercise alone.

    Mini Thigh Lift

    A mini thigh lift is a modification of the inner thigh lift that is designed for patients with only mild excess skin on their inner thighs. This procedure requires a shorter incision than the inner thigh lift and, typically, a shorter recovery time.

    Dr. Silvia Rotemberg will use her expertise to recommend the best technique for the patient at the time of the consultation.

    Recovery

    It is very important to follow Dr. Silvia Rotemberg’s instructions for a successful post-operative recovery. Failing to do so or trying to rush the recovery period may negatively impact the outcome of the procedure.

    When the patient wakes up from surgery, they will be bandaged and may have drains in place to prevent the accumulation of excess fluid. The patient will not be able to drive themselves home following surgery, so we ask that they make prior arrangements for another responsible adult to pick them up afterward and drive them home. If the patient lives alone, they should also have a responsible adult spend the first night with them after surgery to assist them with anything they may require.

    The nurses will provide the patient with more details on how to ensure a full recovery. For example, they will provide instructions on how to sit and sleep to promote comfort. They will also provide information on any side effects to watch for and what to do if the patient notices any of these side effects. Side effects such as bruising and swelling are to be expected for the first few weeks following surgery. Discomfort can be controlled with prescription or over-the-counter medication.

    Patients will be able to return to work approximately 2-3 weeks after surgery, depending on the technique or techniques utilized. However, they should continue wearing their compression garment for up to a month all hours of the day, with the exception of when showering. Exercise and heavy lifting can be resumed after approximately 6-8 weeks.

    The results from the procedure will be immediately visible once bruising and swelling has subsided. However, results will continue to improve for up to one year.

    The resulting scars from the incisions will continue to fade. In order to improve the appearance of scars, patients should be sure to moisturize and wear sunscreen when outside.

    Dr. Silvia Rotemberg’s thigh lift patients have seen successful results and are real-life examples of that when you look good, you feel good. Contact the office of Dr. Silvia Rotemberg in Miami, FL today to request a consultation and get started!