Revision Surgery

Thigh Lift

Thigh lift procedures probably have the highest complication rates among cosmetic procedures. Wound healing complications are common due to the high tension and the proximity to the perineal region where soiling of the wound is common. With these facts in mind, revision thigh lift procedures can have similarly higher complication rates which we can minimize by close attention to detail and wonderful rapport with our patients to inform them on their role in preparing for and later recovering from the procedures.

1. Poor Scars
   Imagine the entire weight of your body pulling the wound apart with every step you take! Poor scars are quite common in thigh lift procedures due to the high tensions on the wound. To correct the scarring while minimizing the chance of another poor scar, the tissue around the excised scar will have to be released to provide a tension-free closure. Your wound is then closed in 4 layers using special sutures to be sure the wound repair is as strong as possible.

2. Widened Labia
   After a medial thigh lift procedure, the tension on the scar can pull the scar down towards the feet. As the scar migrates down, it tends to spread the vulva and labia. As techniques of inner thigh lifts have been refined, the risk of widened labia has decreased. Once this problem occurs, revision of the inner thigh lift is necessary and the key to minimizing the risk for recurrent migration or movement of the scar and labia is meticulous closure of the wounds. During your revision, the skin edges are sutured to the key ligament in the groin in order to anchor the wound to the groin crease. In this manner, migration of the scar is minimized as is any risk for widening of the labia.

3. Residual Loose Skin
   In this day and age of aggressive and unnatural plastic surgery, a conservative approach towards a thigh lift is actually commendable. One of the reasons for persistent loose skin at the thighs after a thigh list procedure is this conservative approach. Revision of the results are simple and involve excising more skin followed b meticulous closure as mentioned before.

   The second cause for residual loose skin is further weight loss. It’s best to have a body contouring procedure only after your weight has stabilized. Some people, however, do go on to lose more weight either through exercise or diet after their thigh lift procedures. In these patients, a revision would again involve excising more skin and closing the wound in multiple layers.

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