Thigh lift in Melbourne

Inner-thigh skin after weight loss

Loose skin along the inner thighs can cause rubbing, recurrent irritation, discomfort with movement or difficulty with clothing. It is common after significant weight loss, although the extent and pattern vary. A thigh lift removes excess skin and, when appropriate, some fat; it cannot change the underlying shape of the legs or make all skin laxity disappear.

The central question in my assessment is where the loose skin lies . If the problem is mainly high on the inner thigh, a groin-based or oblique scar may be enough. If looseness continues a long way down the leg, a vertical scar may provide better correction, at the cost of a longer visible scar. I aim for the least extensive scar that adequately treats the problem, rather than an inadequate operation chosen only to keep the scar short.

Planning alongside other operations

My involvement with the bariatric team means I consider thigh surgery in the context of your weight loss and other areas of skin excess. If nutrition or weight stability needs attention, we can coordinate that preparation with the relevant clinicians before deciding on surgery.

After weight loss, the abdomen, hips and thighs often change together. We discuss what troubles you most and whether work on the abdomen could change how the upper thigh looks. Operations can sometimes be combined, but staging is useful when wound tension, mobility, operating time or the overall recovery would make a single operation harder to tolerate.

Recovery and risks

Surgery is performed under general anaesthesia. The groin and inner thigh are active, moisture-prone areas, and walking, sitting and toileting place demands on the wounds. You should expect swelling, discomfort, dressings and activity restrictions, with follow-up focused on wound healing. Time away from work depends on the extent of surgery and your job. Scars are permanent and may become visible with particular clothing.

Risks include bleeding, infection, wound separation or delayed healing, fluid collection, leg swelling, asymmetry, contour irregularity, altered sensation, conspicuous or displaced scars, blood clots and the need for further surgery. Skin quality and gravity can lead to recurrent laxity over time. At consultation, we will consider whether the likely improvement is worth those scars and risks for you.

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