Thighplasty healing...how long did it take, what is it like?

I've read that thighplasty is one of the most difficult.. if not *the* most  difficult  of reconstructive surgeries to heal from. 

I have approximately 15 pounds of skin and uneven fat deposits on my thighs - I carried the majority of my weight in my lower body.

Can someone tell me what the healing process is like..no rosy pictures, please - I want the good, bad and the ugly.

I'm preparing for surgery within the next two months. Pre-op visits to final two surgeons next week, before I pick the one wh will do the surgery. 

Insurance issues have been the bugaboo... and put me a year behind schedule in having the work done!

 

I spoke with my surgeon about a thigh lift being complex. He told me that it is not complex of you have a lot of experience in them, which he does. He told me that about 25% of the time there is something... Dang I cannot recall if it was wound opening or what??? I will have to ask him.

how do you know there is 15 lbs of excess fat and skin in your thighs? I am curious about mine.

That's what both my PCP and plastic surgeon are estimating.  My weight has been pretty stable for the past three years.

I have read that tthigh skin, especially the inner thigh, where the big incision is is the hardest to heal because the skin there is so thin...but I'm betting that a lot of that will be gone on me!

I have heard it is the hardest surgery and considering how I've healed on all my surgeries I gave my concerns for myself...and yet I see the jelly blubber between my legs that if my HMO covers the cost I'm all for it in spite of my known risks.
The ps I consulted also told me that it would be in two stages- lipo with up to a liter each leg inner thigh; and six months later removal of the excess skin.
I've seen your insurance struggles and hope your situation will be resolved soon do you can forge forward with your life without the skin issues. Blessings for a smooth surgery healing and recovery!
Mikimi in Israel

Ahh.. I see you're having a staged surgery, too!

I did happen to find a PS card the other day that I must have picked up on my last surgeon visit (I'm part of a longitudinal study of hers - 5 year follow), and I found a surgeon in the same city who *does* take my insurance!  So...I'm having a consult with the local surgeon on the 31st...then going to see the other surgeon next month on the 6th.  I'm gathering the medical documentation of the celulitis infections for medical necessity, to have  all t's crossed and i's dotted.

I really find it so weird that not one time while I was SMO did I have a cellulitis attack...but now get them frequently since I've lost weight.  My dermo says obesity is one of the main risk factors for cellulitis..so why didn't I get it when I was SMO?

Who knows!!!!

Well, I will let you know....I have already been through a LBL and am scheduled for a thighplasty on Aug 2. I have my final consultant Tuesday so I will find out if lipo is part of the plan but my spidey senses say it won't be be because my thighs are not that bad. But I could be wrong. Lipo was the most painful part of the LBL for me(surgeon lipo'd my flanks).

Send me a friend request and I can keep in touch with you.

Good luck with the surgery.  BTW I like the quote in your siggie "We live in a society where it's more socially acceptable to be a junkie than it is to be overweight."

Hi,

I saw your post about the Aug. 2nd thighplasty. How are you felling & healing?

Thank you so much for asking!  I appreciate it.  Here is a recap of my experience.  I also posted pics.  I will add more pics tomorrow after I have the gauze removed but damn, I have some gorgeous gams :)

http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/chachacha/blog/2013/08/06/thigh-lift---lipo-experience-/

how much is your surgery? i'm having mine done in a couple weeks i too have alot of skin i'm curious how much mines going to weigh