• Anesthesia:
    General
  • Duration:
    2 to 3.5 hours
  • Pain level:
    5/10
  • Recovery time:
    10 to 15 days
  • Resuming physical activities:
    4 to 6 weeks

In certain circumstances, liposuction alone is insufficient to address the excess fat and skin accumulated around the thigh region. A thigh lift procedure removes excess skin and fat and lifts the upper thigh area to restore a slimmer more defined thigh contour.

Whether you’re looking to get rid of excess skin due to significant weight loss or simply desire a more shapely toned appearance, a thigh lift can make a huge difference in how you look and feel.

Patients who are good candidates for this procedure

  • Are at a stable and healthy weight
  • Have no significant medical problems
  • Non-smokers
  • Not on blood thinners
  • Have “pinchable” skin/fat in the thigh region

Patients who are poor candidates for this procedure

  • Obese (want or need to lose weight)
  • Smoker
  • Have serious medical problems
  • On blood thinners

Are you a good candidate?

Our Self-Evaluation Quiz can help you decide if a thigh lift is the right procedure for you.

Techniques for Thigh Lift

There are several different kinds of thigh lifts. Depending on the amount of skin to remove, Dr. Perry Gdalevitch will make an incision to access the underlying tissues of the thigh.

These incisions may run:

  1. vertically along the inner thigh;
  2. horizontally on the upper thigh/ groin;
  3. in a T-shape that involves both types of incisions.

Dr. Gdalevitch will then tighten the underlying tissue, remove excess skin, and reshape as well as tighten the remaining skin. A thigh lift often combines liposuction to improve thigh contour and remove excess fat.

Your results

You can expect to need rest for at least one week. In some cases, patients may need to take up to three weeks off from work. Patients will also need to avoid any heavy lifting, vigorous exercises, and strenuous activity for the first 3-4 weeks after surgery.

A thigh lift will help you obtain a more defined upper leg appearance and will accomplish the following:

  1. Removal of excessive skin and stretch marks
  2. Tightening of the thigh skin after significant weight loss
  3. Create a slimmer, contoured upper leg appearance
  4. Increase self-confidence that comes with more contoured thighs

The end result is a tighter, more sculpted thigh.

Thigh lift presentation

Discover the procedure through live surgeries

Consent for Thigh lift

Pre op instructions for Thigh lift

At Phi Plastic Surgery, we believe that a beautiful body can take many shapes and sizes. The Phi philosophy centers on respecting your body's proportions and helping you let your inner beauty shine.

We offer our patients the best, most advanced techniques to help them achieve their aesthetic goals.

Pre-op & post-op instructions

These pre-surgical and post-surgical instructions are provided as essential services for you. Please follow the instructions carefully to ensure optimum results. If there are instructions that need to be clarified, please feel free to contact our office as soon as possible. If some instructions are not followed, your surgery could be delayed if deemed necessary by your surgeon.

Pre-op INSTRUCTIONS

ONE MONTH before your surgery

  • Stop using contraceptive pills or hormone therapy.
  • A pre-operative visit (if necessary) approximately one month before your surgery will be scheduled to review your goals and provide you with additional information regarding your surgery.

THREE WEEKS before your surgery

  • Stop all consumption of collagen
  • Complete your preoperative tests. Be sure to complete all prescribed pre-operative tests (ECG blood tests, etc.). If all medical results and clearances of your tests are not received on time, your surgery may be delayed.
  • Prepare your surgery date: Plan to ensure a stress-free experience. Arrange your work leave and special assistance to help you with ride home. Prepare your return by organizing meals, delivery, babysitting, etc. Make sure you have someone scheduled to accompany you home after your surgery. Someone should also be on-call to help you during the first 24 hours after your surgery.

TWO WEEKS before your surgery

  • Stop the consumption of anti-inflammatory drugs.
  • A preoperative visit (if necessary), approximately two weeks before your surgery, will be scheduled to review your goals and provide you with additional information regarding your surgery.

SEVEN DAYS before your surgery

  • Stop taking any supplements or medications from the list below. These products can increase the risk of bleeding and other complications. Stop consuming any non-prescribed supplements including Omega 3-6, nutricap, ouch, echinacea, glucosamine, fat burners, St. John’s wort etc. Aspirin, medicines containing aspirin or any anticoagulants such as arixtra pf, clopidogrel, plavix, coumadin, dalteparin, edoxaban, eliquis, apixaban, enoxaparin, fragmin pfsyringe, lepirudin, padaxa, dabigatran etexilate, xarelto, rivaroxaban.
  • Confirm your surgical support plan: This includes your transportation and post-surgical care, including an adult family member or a friend on-call for your support, 24 hours after your surgery.
  • Purchase any prescription provided by Dr. Gdalevitch (If applicable) and revise your pre-surgical instructions.

The day BEFORE your surgery

Prepare a bag. It should include:

  • All necessary papers
  • Your identification (RAMQ card)
  • Prescription Drugs
  • Glasses if necessary
  • Confirm the person who will assist you for the first 24 hours after surgery.
  • Take a shower. Use a non-perfumed soap. Wash your hair. Do not put cream or lotions. Do not put deodorants, hair products, perfumes, or makeup.
  • Remove any nail varnish (even if transparent) from your hands and feet, including shellac, resin, gel or acrylic. All this reduces the risk of post-surgical infections and nails are monitored for blood circulation.
  • Do not eat anything or drink any dark liquids for 8 hours before your surgery. Do not drink any light liquids 6 hours before your surgery. Anything you eat can cause cancellation of your surgery and increase the risks associated with surgery and anaesthesia. This includes sweets, mints, chewing gum, tea or coffee. You can take a very small amount of water after brushing your teeth or taking medication.
  • Relax. Enjoy a good night’s sleep and avoid stress.

YOUR SURGERY DAY

  • Do not drink or eat the day of your surgery
  • Do not train before surgery
  • Please bring your medications which have been prescribed to you in a bag as above.
  • Please bring your compression socks if they have been prescribed to you.
  • Do not wear any make-up, jewellery, contact lenses, hairpin or piercings: during surgery, an electric cautery is used, any piercing or jewellery can cause burns.
  • Wear light and comfortable clothing. Wear a top that opens forward. Do not wear a sweater, turtleneck or tight clothing. You can wear a skirt, but pants and a jogging jacket are ideal. Flat shoes should be worn that are easy to put on and remove (no heels). A lip balm is recommended.

post-op instructions

When you get home

You can expect to have some pain in the thighs and groin area.

To help you rest comfortably, follow these instructions:

  1. Take extra-strength Tylenol every 4 hours
  2. Take an anti-nausea medication such as Gravol 30 minutes before taking your prescribed pain medication
  3. Take your pain medication as prescribed
  4. Take your antibiotics as prescribed
  5. Avoid walking or spreading your legs
  6. Wear your surgical garment

Contact us immediately if you experience any of the following:

  • Pain that is not controlled by the pain medication
  • Numbness in your feet
  • A fever of greater than 38.5
  • Severe nausea or vomiting
  • Hallucinations or incoherent behaviour
  • Pain or swelling of one calf
  • Excessive bleeding through your dressing
  • Incapable of urinating

The day after surgery

  • Your pain will start to dissipate after 48 hours
  • Avoid staying in bed all day, but rest
  • Avoid strenuous activities or walking too much

Healing and follow up

  • Your thighs will not be fully healed for 4-8 weeks
  • Exercise is not permitted until 4 weeks after surgery
  • You should be resting for at least 1 week after surgery and gradually regain daily activities after that with the exception of strenuous leg activities or exercise
  • You will have follow up appointment 1-2 weeks after surgery, then at 1 month and at 2 months.

If you want to eliminate loose, sagging skin around the thighs to achieve your ideal figure, then a thigh lift at Phi Plastic Surgery can help.

Book a consultation with Dr. Perry Gdalevitch to discuss your goals.

View most frequently asked questions

What is a thigh lift?

Thigh lift surgery is a procedure that reshapes the thighs by reducing excess skin and, in some cases, fat, resulting in smoother skin along with better-proportioned contours of the thighs and lower body.

How much excess skin can a thigh lift remove?

The amount of excess skin removed varies from person to person. The goal is to achieve a contoured and toned-looking thigh. The trade-off for skin removal is the thigh lift scar which can be semi-hidden inside the thighs and will fade over time.

Do I need a thigh lift or liposuction?

Thigh lift surgery is recommended for people with sagging skin. Liposuction is often a part of the thigh lift procedure. Liposuction is recommended for people who are looking to lose stubborn fat in the targeted area but do not have a lot of sagging skin. Liposuction can also make saggy skin worse for post-weight loss patients.

Will I need anesthesia?

Yes, thigh lift surgery requires anesthesia. The procedure can be done under general anesthesia or with a combination of local (or regional) anesthesia and sedation for patients who require shorter procedures. 

Can a thigh lift help sagging skin around the knees?

A thigh lift is best at addressing loose skin in the upper thigh area, most often in the inner thigh area. Because of the distance from the upper thigh to the knee, the benefits of sagging skin around the knee are more minimal. If sagging skin around your knees is a concern, Dr. Perry can make other suggestions to get you the results you’re looking for.

How much does the procedure cost?

Thigh Lift

$10,000 - $12,000

For a more beautiful and proportional you!

φ Phi is the Greek symbol that indicates the golden ratio, a ratio that is synonymous with beauty.

Dr. Perry Gdalevitch offers a unique approach that involves applying the principles of perfect proportions (phi) to help you achieve your aesthetic and reconstructive goals.

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