Medial & Lateral Thigh Lift

Hello.  I am having a medial and lateral thigh lift w/ lipo done on February 15th.  I am interested in hearing from folks that have gone thru this surgery.  I have been told by my surgeon that this is the most painful surgery so far (I've already had the arms, boobs and LBL done).  This will be my last round of plastics.  The LBL was excruciating and I had buyer's remorse for a good month afterwards.  Of course now I'm loving the result of a flat tummy etc.  But wowza the pain was incredible.

I'm wondering if it's hard to walk around, use the restroom, etc and how long of a recovery I can expect...

I have gone thru a lot of the previous posts, but did not see much on this surgery.  I look forward to hearing your experiences.  Thx

I had the MTL in Oct and yes, by far this was the worst one so far. You'll be glad that it's your last, don't know if I would be ready to go back for more. It was very difficult to walk and use the bathroom especially the first few days. My legs were wrapped up all the way to the top, didn't know how to go to the bathroom without things getting in the way. My mom & the nursed ended up cutting up some plastic bags and wrapping them around the bandages. But just trying to sit on the toilet w/ my thighs was the worst. Everything is so swollen and painful there is nothing that is comfortable.

I was pretty much out of commission for the first week. Went back to work at 10 days post op and things started to get better after that. By 3 weeks out I was ready to start my life again. Actually went out to a club w/ my friend at that time.

Just take it easy the first few  days, stay on the pain meds and follow all your Dr. instructions. It's painful but the results are worth it in the end. Just may take you a few weeks to see it that way.

Sonya

Thx for the input Sonya.  I remember the pain of trying to use the restroom with my LBL.  So I can only imagine what's it's gonna be like with the thigh surgery!  I am wondering if I should buy a toilet seat lift or something that would help me avoid bending too far down?  Does anyone know where I can get something like that?

Three weeks and in the club huh?  Wow, you're good :)  After my LBL I didn't venture out until 6 wks post-op...

I am glad this is my last round.  In fact, the dr planned it this way.  Saved the worst for last.  lol

I did have the toilet seat lift, however I'm short (only 5'3") so it actually made it too high for me. I was actually dangling so it put more pressure on my legs. If you're taller it may be a good thing. My problem was the pressure it put on my thighs. You may be able to try to hold yourself up if you have a counter or ledge next to your toilet. That didn't really work too well for me since I also had a BL/BA at the same time so my chest muscles were sore and arms were kind of useless.

Sonya

Well I'm only 5'2", so I guess the seat lift is out :) 

As far as the pain pump issue goes, I had the pain pump with my LBL and I was never a 4.  I was more like a 7 and I have a huge tolerance for pain....the pump lasted a couple of days if I remember correctly.  Maybe I need you as my doctor if the pain will only be a 4!  :)  That's awesome!

We call every day after surgery until the drains come out, and get a numerical pain score from our patients. (O being no pain, 10 being the worst ever).

Our pain scores with the LBL (using a  pain pump) average 4 out of 10 on the first week, and go down to 2-3 by the end of the second week. 

Our typical Stage 2 procedure (arms and thighs plus revisions to LBL) average 3, with a much quicker drop to 0-1.  Just my experience.

 I am three weeks out from a thigh lift. I had no lipo. He said all I had was skin. The first week was hard getting up and down. Once up I could walk fine. At 5'2" the riser on the toilet made it worse.  I have very little real pain. Its uncomfortable. I could use the bathroom without a lot of problems. I used a walker to help pull myself up, a chair will work also. I had separation at the top of both legs but it was minor and is healing fine. I am able to cross my legs and have sex without problems. Keeping them wrapped helps. I do not think he cut enough away  because the top of my legs rub if not wrapped or in a stage two garment. It really hasn't been as bad as I expected but like I said I had no lipo. Hope you have an easier time than you did with the tummy. That is next for me and I am worried about it. At ten days out my drains came out and I went to the mall and walked for a couple hours.

I had it all done and not to scare you the  thighs were the worst for the first 3 days.
 I used a raised toilet seat and propped my feet up on the lower rails of a walker. I didn't need the walker to walk I needed it to help me get up I leaned on it. I didn't have to m uch of a problem walking around once I got up it was the bending at the knees that was tough, but in the end it was all worth it
good luck
Susan