Thigh lift in Zug

The goal of a thigh lift is to remove excess skin along with the underlying fatty tissue in order to give the legs the desired shape. Before scheduling your procedure, we will start with a personal consultation at my clinic, so that you can explain exactly what is bothering you and what changes you would like to see. I will then explain the medical options available to you, tailoring your treatment plan to your specific needs. Besides describing the thigh lift process in detail, I will explain the necessary before- and after-care as well as any potential risks of the operation. After your consultation, you can take as much time as you need to decide whether to proceed with treatment. 

In order to prevent wound healing issues, you should limit your use of blood thinners (in consultation with your prescribing physician) and avoid nicotine in the week leading up to your operation. No further preparation is generally necessary.

Some people have a genetic predisposition to “saddlebags,” which are stubborn fat deposits on the thighs that do not respond to diet or exercise. Liposuction can be an effective way of correcting them.

When contouring your thighs, I will remove the excess skin by making incisions near your groin, keeping them within the natural folds of your skin as much as possible to conceal any eventual scarring. If desired, I can also reduce any localized buildup of fatty tissue using liposuction, which involves guiding a fine cannula into the fat and suctioning it out. Strategically placed sutures in the deeper layers of tissue help support the thighs’ new shape. The procedure normally takes between two and three hours, and is done under general anesthesia. If necessary, I will also place a surgical drain to help direct blood and wound secretions away from the healing tissue.

Once harvested, fat can be used in a variety of procedures. Here at my clinic, I often combine removing saddlebags with breast contouring: after specially preparing the fat cells harvested from the thighs, I use them for autologous breast augmentation. This method yields particularly natural-looking results.

Other uses for autologous fat:

• Wrinkle treatment (face, neck, cleavage, hands, etc.)
• Contouring and adding volume
• Improving skin quality
• Lifting effects (e.g., cheeks, brows)
• Genital surgery (vaginal rejuvenation, labia plumping)
• Buttock augmentation / contouring

Thigh lifts are usually done on an in-patient or day-patient basis. Your mobility will be restricted immediately after the operation, so we advise at least two days of bed rest. Any surgical drains can be removed the following day, or after two days at the latest. Patients wear special compression stockings or bandages for the first two weeks after the procedure to facilitate healing and protect the treated area. The sutures can be removed after 10-14 days (unless absorbable stitches were used, in which case no removal is necessary). Patients can usually return to work after three to four weeks, depending on the precise nature of their work, but should avoid sports for around six weeks. 

Most of the time, the surgical scar will run horizontally along the inside of the thigh; more extensive procedures may require longer incisions, which in some cases could leave scars that are visible when patients wear summer clothing. These scars usually fade within the year, such that they are barely visible to the naked eye.

After the procedure, you may experience redness, swelling, or bruising on your legs. More serious complications such as bleeding, wound healing issues, infections, and lymphatic blockage around the scar are possible, but rare; the latter can be treated using manual lymphatic drainage if necessary. In the unlikely event that the scar on your inner thigh remains noticeable, we can schedule a follow-up scar correction procedure if desired. 

Contouring the thighs involves tightening the skin and underlying tissue, but this has no effect on overall skin tone, which means that loose skin could theoretically redevelop. In our experience, the procedure yields satisfying, long-lasting results without requiring subsequent “touch-ups.” Patients can help maintain these good results by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and getting regular exercise.

I would be glad to sit down with you one-on-one and discuss how a thigh lift can help give you beautiful legs and toned thighs. As an experienced plastic surgeon, I can help you feel great in your own skin again. Call or email to schedule your non-binding consultation.