Body Contouring After Massive Weight Loss

"Having my big thighs constantly rub together was disgusting. I always had a rash on my inner thighs, couldn’t exercises, and couldn’t wear pants. This went away after having a thigh lift." — Desires, age 37

7,486 Americans underwent Thigh Lift or Thighplasty after massive weight loss in 2005. This was a 20% increase from the previous year. Although many candidates for Thigh Lift are those who had lost excessive weight after Bariatric or Gastric Bypass Surgery, there are others who develop inner and/or outer thigh sagging with aging, mild to moderate weight loss, and thigh liposuction.

Thigh Lift is a procedure which is designed to pull up, tighten, and contour sagging thighs. In doing so, it utilizes liposuction as well as excision of excess skin, and superior suspension of the thigh fascia to create smoother, and sleeker thighs. Obviously in those who have lost massive weight, and have folds upon folds of hanging thigh skin, the goal is just to rid themselves of this nuisance and enable them to ambulate freely and to better fit in pants.

Because there is a great variety in the extent of thigh sagging and skin redundancy, a variety of thigh lift procedures have evolved to satisfy different needs.

Flankoplasty or Outer Thigh Lift

Flankoplasty or the Outer Thigh Lift is a modification of an extended tummy tuck which removes excess flank skin and pulls up and tightens the outer thighs. In patients who have cellulite and outer thigh skin looseness this procedure is an ideal choice since it does not place any scars on the thighs, and that it can also be combined with a tummy tuck.

Medial or Inner Thigh Lift (Thighplasty)

A standard Medial or Inner thigh lift usually involves excision of crescent shaped skin wedge from the inner groin, pulling up and anchoring the thigh fascia to the pelvic bone, and contouring the thighs with liposuction. The final scar is very well hidden in the depth of the groin and under a bikini. Because of its limited skin excision the standard medial thigh lift is usually not suited for those who have large roles of excess inner thigh skin as a result of massive weight loss.

Extended Inner Thigh Lift or Thighplasty

The Extended Inner thigh lift combines the standard medial thigh lift with a vertical line of skin excision that runs along the inner thigh, from the groin to the knee. The vertical component of this thigh lift greatly reduces the circumference of the thigh and removes excess skin along the entire length of the thigh. In some cases, this incision is even extend below the knee to remove excess skin of the legs. This is the thigh lift procedure of choice for those with massive weight loss after Bariatric surgery.

Dr. Younai is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with formal training in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, as well as General Surgery at some of the most prestigious university residencies in the United States. As a cosmetic plastic surgeon he has had ample experience in performing post-bariatric body contouring surgeries including tummy tuck, abdominoplasty, Panniculectomy, belt Lipectomy, repair of ventral hernia, body lift, thigh lift, Brachioplasty, upper body lift, breast reduction, and breast lift.

At the California Center for Plastic Surgery Dr. Younai will review your treatment options for massive weight loss body contouring, including pros and cons of each procedure, potential risks and complications, recovery course, pre and post operative instructions, and aesthetic outcomes. There are also many before-and-after pictures and high resolution images of Thigh Lift and Thighplasty procedures available in our photo gallery.

Dr. Younai receives patients from the Northern as well as the Southern California region. Some of these cities include Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Hollywood, Burbank, Pasadena, Glendale, Valencia, Palmdale, Fresno, and Oxnard.

"I wish I could wear nice skirts again. I hate my sagging thighs and the folds around my knees." — Amanda, age 45

Dr. Younai performs his surgeries at the Regency Surgery Center which is certified by Medicare, Blue Cross, AAAHC, and AAAASF. This state-of-the-art surgical facility is specially equipped and staffed to care for patients with massive weight loss. This outpatient surgery center is located in Encino, and near Sherman Oaks, Calabasas, Woodland Hills, Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, and Northridge.