Questions to ask during a Thigh Lift consultation

If I have learned anything from my recent thigh lift and lipo experience, I have learned that knowledge is power, and that managing expectations with the surgeon is very important for a Thighplasty. I thought I would share the list of questions I used during my consultation in the event it will help you during a similar consultation with your surgeon. I highly recommend you spell out what objective you are trying to achieve for the surgery as this opens up the dialogue with the surgeon. For those who have had this surgery, please feel free to add comments! That is the beauty of the OH community

My Objective
Eliminate saggy and wrinkly skin on inside of thighs AND eliminate cellulite on back of thighs. I want to be able to wear skin-tight capris and not see any lumpiness in my skin.

My Questions
I want to make sure my expectations aren't too high for this surgery. I don't want to go through such an invasive surgery to realize a modest improvement. What do you define as modest improvement?

What type of thigh lift will help me to achieve the best results? medial? Outer? Inner?

How tight will my thighs realistically be pulled?

Can the scar line be strategically placed on the inside of the thigh so it cannot be seen from the front or the back when looking at me head-on? (This was really important to me)

What would be the length and shape of inner thigh scar...straight line down inside of thigh or angled across front of thigh? How far down inside of leg would the scar go? Is it reasonable to assume that if the scar goes all the way down the inside of my leg to the inside of my knee that even my "knee skin" will be tightened, or is there a limited area that can only be tightened with a scar that long?

Will the groin scar definitely be along the leg crease or is there a chance it could be below the leg crease? what determines that? Where would this scar be in relation to my LBL scar?

Will you need to reshape my butt in order to get an ideal contour or "seamless integration" of new thighs with my butt?

Will the incision and tightening along the groin create a misshapen mons area?

Are you planning on doing Lipo at the same time?

How many Drains will I have? When will they be removed?

Are you planning to use Surgical glue or stitches/staples?

When will my Post-op Follow up appointments be?

Do you recommend I wear a compression garment? If yes, when should I start wearing it and how long should I wear it?

When can I shower? bathe? get in a pool?

What is the waiting period before exercising again? Any chance I can start upper body weights sooner? Need clarification on types of exercise I can do. Running, weight lifting, yoga, etc. What about heavy weight lifting...Crossfit and squatting, lunges, etc.

What will I need to do to prevent the incision from splitting open? What is the best "posture and form" to minimize tension to the area? Are pants or skirts better?

Will I need to keep my legs elevated or reduce the amount of sitting time? How frequently should I get up and walk around?

Is it reasonable to assume that if I healed well with my LBL scar that I will heal equally as well with an inner thigh lift?

Thank you for paying it forward 

so i was wondering how do you feel about your thigh lift? i'm having mine done on the 26th of this month. i lost over 200 lbs i have alot of skin on my legs and back my legs when i wear sweats my legs still look fat cause of the excess skin , there not going to do lipo there just going to cut all the excess skin and fat out then pull it tight, i can't wait, i got i great price on my thigh lift 6900. and how much did all your skin weigh?  thanks

I am recuperating very well actually.  I would say 5 days out I turned a corner.  I am still having some leg soreness and swelling and I pace myself as to how much I do in a given day.  I am glad I did it.  I do not have inner thigh wrinkly skin anymore.  As for the cellulite on the back of my thighs, he said he could improve the appearance of it, not remove it.  The danger of overdoing lipo on the back if the thighs is, if done too aggressively, disrupts the crease between the buttocks and thigh.  Drooping as would be the result.  I wanted no part if that do we agreed on a more conservative approach back there.  

My thighs really were not that bad to begin with (you can see my photos in my profile).  I have lost 140 lbs but I am blessed with a proportionate frame, so I didn't have one particular area that was bad.  I don't think the surgeon removed more than 2 lbs. of skin.  I also had lipo done simultaneously.  

By the way, is the $6900 you were quoted inclusive of the surgeon's fee, OR, anesthesia and hospitalization or is that just the surgeon's fee?

no you didn't have much excess if i was in your shoes i probably wouldn't have done it . but i have alot of excess skin especially that back of my legs thats why there not going to do lipo and just cut it off, yes the 6900 is the total price 1000 goes to the surgen around 2000 goes to the anast. 2500 or so goes for the operating room, i'm having it done at stanford clinic in palo alto ca

Wow! That is a great price. Mine cost way more than that.

Even my surgeon said my legs weren't that bad. But what bothers one person may not bother another, right? For me, because I am so active and work out pretty aggressively, I want my body to reflect my efforts. It became so disheartening to work out and know in the back of my mind that my body fat percentage was declining but that I still had loose skin "hiding" my muscle definition.

Good luck and let me know how your procedure goes!

Can you tell me what the patient positioning was for the thigh lift? To me it looks like they use spreader bars and the patients is spread eagle for the procedure. Also, did you have to be spread eagle when yr surgeon did the markings for the thigh lift?

they want me on my stomach during surgery

I know that my surgeon doesn't turn patients on their stomachs for any surgery. I have just learned that some surgeons use stirrups for the operation.

Spreader bars or stirrups... I am freaking out.