Question:
How long can I expect to be off from work with a TT and thigh lift?

I had my arms and breats (lift with implants) done and I took a week off from work. I have a desk job. How long should I expect to be off? Also have had 2 C-sections with NO problems. Thanks for your help and advice. I'm nervous. Amy    — Amy P. (posted on January 26, 2005)

January 26, 2005
If you are talking a medial thigh lift (inner thighs) you will definitely be off longer. That surgery typically has healing issues with it and swelling that you need to be off your feet quite a bit during the day. The lateral thighs won't be as bad. A lot will depend on how much you have done. I was off 2-1/2 weeks with my LBL and then went back part time slowly increasing from 4 hours to 6 and then 8 hours over the next 3 weeks. I was off about 2 weeks after my upper body lift and 2 weeks after my medial thigh lift. Most people are off about 4 weeks after a medial thigh lift but for some bizarre reason it was the easiest recovery of all 3 PS's I had in 2004. I would plan on 2 weeks. It's hard to know for sure but just because all other recoveries went quick doesn't mean you won't have some issues this time. I had to deal with drains for 8 weeks after my LBL. I was at the docs office about one a week. So you will need flexibility to come and go if you go back to work soon after surgery. I also found that when I was part time after all three surgeries that sometimes I would work for about 3 hours, go home and sleep for 2 hours and then come back. That worked really well for me. Fortunately I live 1-1/2 miles from work. Having that flexibility did make it possible to come back sooner.
   — zoedogcbr

January 26, 2005
I guess it depends if it's your inner or outer thighs you are having lifted. If your doing both the tt and inner thighs together, expect to be off about 2 to 3 weeks. I wouldn't recommend having them done together though as that is a LOT of pulling and not good surgeries to combine together. I had mine done separately. I was off for 2 weeks with my tt and a week with my inner thighs.
   — Patty H.

January 26, 2005
I had a tummy tuck and inner thigh lift done on January 4th and I am still off from work--going on week 4. I am glad I did them together, but I had a LOT of pain. My stomach is numb, so that incision is not so bad--but my thigh muscles are very sore. I was in the hospital for 3 nights--had to stay an extra night b/c of pain. I could probably have gone back to work on Monday, but I am still on pain meds which are making me very tired. This surgery was much worse than my gastric bypass (which I flew thru), but it does depend on your body--its very individual. I have fibromyalgia which flared after my surgery and made me worse. Feel free to email me with questions. I had a hard time finding feedback from anyone who had both a TT and thighplasty done together. Overall, I am very happy with my results, my surgeon, and my decision to do them together. Just expect a lot of swelling.
   — Jodie C.

January 26, 2005
Like the other posters commented, it is an individual situation. I went back to work 2 weeks after my LBL, which included outer thighs and abdominoplasty. I felt fine and was able to function all day long without difficulty. I just completed the inner thigh lift and breast lift with implants not quite two weeks ago. I was ready to return to work today but didn't want to drive in the rain after just having had surgery. My doctor cleared me for 1 to 2 weeks leave so I am using both weeks. Good luck to you.
   — [Deactivated Member]