Question:
Inner Thigh Lift

I'm a few days away from having what I consider to be my final reconstructive surgery, an inner thigh lift. I'm 6 months post op LBL and 3 months post-op breast lift and arm lift. If you've had an inner thigh lift, I would so appreciate your feedback on post-op pain, discomfort and how uncomfortable you were considering the delicate panty line area incision. The PS will have a vertical incision down my inner thigh about 8". Any helpful hints? Vicki (264/149)    — Vicki S. (posted on June 26, 2004)

June 26, 2004
Hi, I am sorry I dont have an answer to your question... but I wanted to drop you a note to tell you how absolutly beautiful you look! :)
   — Pattyrau

June 26, 2004
I didn't exactly have an inner thigh lift, but I am three weeks post op on my second thigh surgery. The first surgery took care of the extra skin hanging off the backs of my thighs and this most recent surgery took care of the excess skin on the fronts of my thighs. My incisions are on the fronts of my thighs because I had so much extra skin an incision on the inner thigh would not have been enough. I can say that the pain has not been that bad really. There was a bit of discomfort in the beginning and I can definitely say that soft cushions and loose fitting pants have been my savior. It is well worth it though. It's great having those folds of skin gone. Good luck on your surgery!!! Traci (430/135)
   — Traci H.

June 27, 2004
As part of extensive varicose vein surgery (the entire saphenous vein was removed), I was going to be cut along the inner leg from my ankle to my groin. My surgeon offered to remove the excess skin that was my one source of vain discomfort. The incisional discomfort was actually relatively minor. However, as I was closed with suture strips, there was some discomfort with two spots as they skin blistered under the suture strip; these two points burned, but the pain was controlled with a small medicated patch. I was walking around the night of surgery and was able to return to work in a few days after each operation (my left leg was done about 3 weeks after my right). And, although I hate to admit it, I liked the feel of the support hose. Good luck with your surgery.
   — SteveColarossi

June 27, 2004
I had my inner thigh lift 6 weeks ago Wednesday. My incision in only around the top of my thigh where the leg meets the groin. The incision is about half way around the top of each leg. The PS removed 4 inches of skin from each leg. I could see a difference IMMEDIATELY after surgery. He told me this would be the worst of all of my surgeries (full abdominoplasty, lipo on upper arms, modified brachioplasty) but I didn't think this was too bad. The one thing I would advise you to get is a seat extender for the toilet as it makes getting up and down MUCH easier and doesn't tug at the stiches. I would say the pain level is about a 4 on a scale of 1 to 10. Once they remove the drainage tubes, things feel a LOT better!!
   — Patty H.

June 28, 2004
I am schedule for a major thigh lift, lots of skin removal with a vertical incision from knee to groin on Nov 10th. I know a woman who had the same surgery with the same doc and she said the pain was horrible for about a week because of the skin being so tight. However, pain meds were dispensed and keep her reasonably controlled. <p>I just had 4 liters of fat lipo'd out of my upper legs (mainly above the knees) in preparation for the skin removal. Because I had so much fat and skin volume in this area even after the skin removal I would have had quite a bit of fat laden areas causing bagging at the knees etc. Since I was already having another PS procedure we decided it made sense to go ahead and clean up as much as we could in order to end up with the best long term result. I still won't have model legs but they will be in proportion to the rest of my body that has already had the skin removed. I won't look like a power lifter anymore. The pain from the lipo was out of this world. I'm not trying to scare the crap out of you but be truthful. When I went to move my legs right after surgery I could not believe how painful they were. It was all from the swelling. I am 3 weeks PO from that surgery today and I can honestly say it's not too bad anymore. I still have swelling in the 6-8" right above my knees but it gets better all the time. Once all the swelling goes down my legs will actually look like turkey necks until the leg surgery. So way worse than before surgery, but I knew this and was willing to accept it for in order to get the best end result. My surgeon would not even consider removing the skin till at least 4 months after the lipo. I had to schedule it for 5 months as I'm getting married the end of Oct. I have all along dreaded the pain from the leg skin removal but I am thinking that it probably won't be as bad as it has been after this lipo. In reality there will be much less trauma going on. I do expect a lot of pain from the tight skin as that is what I experienced after my LBL. Most of my severe pain was from tight skin. Even if I have swelling now I feel it right away and it's uncomfortable. But the bottom line is if he doesn't make it nice and tight then he hasn't done his job to provide the best result. I am anticipating being off work for 3 weeks and then going back part time. I figure I will be having my legs elevated a ton. The bottom line is no matter how much it hurts right after surgery each week gets better and better. It is all work it in the long run. The idea someone gave about the toilet seat extender is a great one. I can just imagine how having to bend the legs with the tight incisions will be in trying to sit on a low toilet seat. I think I'll be getting one of those also. Long legs are great except in this case as it's just that much further down to the seat. <p>Hang in there! You will be fine with whatever comes your way. You've been through it all and are at the finish line!
   — zoedogcbr

June 28, 2004
I had an inner thigh lift/thigh plasty a year ago and I admit it was the most uncomfortable surgery I had pain-wise. Also the only ps I had where there were complications (seroma's and infection). The worse was there was no way to lay on your incisions. I had a butt lift at the same time and the excess skin taken off my butt made laying uncomfortable. Still it was worth it and I will do it again. Pain meds helped some, but I just kept thinking this is the worse and in a few days things will get better.
   — Lisa N M.

June 28, 2004
I'll be having an inner thigh lift in Novemeber. My body lift is in 2 weeks. My friend said she bought boxers to wear after the inner thigh lift so she wouldn't have anything rubbing the suture lines. Good luck
   — dianne E.

June 29, 2004
I bought a pair of men's basketball type shorts (silky and long to the knee) before the lipo I had done figuring my legs would not fit into any pants, which I was right. The swelling was so massive that they barely sit into the baggy shorts. My fiance says I look like Rocky in them. LOL I came out of surgery with my compression garment on so I didn't have any problems of incisions rubbing but the shorts is a good idea. But make sure they are long enough because they will ride up when you sit. I'm assuming I'll be in my compression suit again after the leg skin removal but suspect I will need to take it in some in the legs before surgery to assure it will be tight enough after surgery. Especially in the thighs as it's loose there now. They wouldn't be able to put me in a smaller one as I would not be able to breathe.
   — zoedogcbr