What is Thigh Lift?
Surgeons at Heartland Plastic and Hand Surgery of Cape Girardeau use a combination
of two procedures when performing a thigh lift: liposuction to eliminate extra fat,
and surgery to remove extra skin. At Heartland Plastic and Hand Surgery of Cape
Girardeau, a thigh lift procedure is done under general anesthesia.
The surgical procedure consists of a number of steps. Usually, a cut is made on
the upper leg, next to the groin. The cut normally wraps around to the rear of the
thigh. With the incision made, the surgeon removes the extra skin, stretches the
area and stitches the skin back together.
The amount of tissue that has to be removed directly impacts how large the incision
will be. The cut will wrap around the entire leg if the thigh needs to be lifted
on all sides.
Are there Thigh Lift before and after pictures for me to look at?
During your consultation with our surgeons you will be able to browse through a
number of before and after pictures of patients who successfully underwent a thigh
lift. These pictures will give you a chance to visualize what this procedure may
do for you.
What is the average cost of a thigh lift? Is there a charge for the consultation?
There are actually different types of thigh lifts; lateral thigh lift (outer thigh),
limited incision medial thigh lift (inner thigh) and direct incision medial thigh
lift (inner thigh). At Heartland Plastic and Hand Surgery of Cape Girardeau, the
average cost of a lateral thigh lift is $5000-$5200 (effective June 1, 2009), a
limited incision medial thigh lift cost between $4300-$4500 (effective June 1, 2009),
and a direct incision thigh lift is priced at between $6600-$7100 (effective June
1, 2009). This includes operating room cost and anesthesia services. There is an
$85 charge for the initial consultation. The consultation charge is deducted from
the price of the procedure if you decide to schedule your procedure within 6 months.
After 6 months, a new consultation may be scheduled to review any changes in your
medical history.
What is the difference between a limited incision medial thigh lift and a direct
incision medial thigh lift?
The difference between these procedures is that scarring and final results are dissimilar.
A limited incision medial thigh lift uses an incision that runs through the groin
area with moderate amount of skin removal. Patients with severe looseness to their
inner thigh might benefit from a direct incision thigh lift. This thigh lift consists
of an incision in the groin, as well as a vertical incision that directly removes
skin from the inner thigh. The incision connects to the groin incision and extends
vertically to the knee. Although this is a much longer incision, it does allow for
the removal of a greater amount of skin.
Do I have to stop smoking before a thigh lift procedure?
At Heartland Plastic and Hand Surgery of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, we would like
for the patient to stop smoking 1 month before surgery and 1 month after surgery.
Nicotine in cigarettes decreases the blood supply to the skin and blood supply is
a very important factor to the healing process. We hope patients can decrease their
exposure to not only first hand, but also to second hand smoke.
Is financing available for a thigh lift? And will insurance cover any of my fees?
Several types of payments are accepted at Heartland Plastic and Hand Surgery of
Cape Girardeau, Missouri. They are cash, credit cards (Visa, Master Card, Discover
and American Express), money order, cashier checks and financing with an outside
agency of your choice. Our Cape Girardeau thigh lifts are not covered by commercial
insurance and will need to be paid in full before the surgery is performed. Financing
arrangements must be made in advance with your financing company.
Is hospitalization required?
We usually recommend doing the surgery in stages to allow patients to go home the
same day, decrease the length of operating time and lower the risks for the patient.
Is there a better time of year to have the surgery performed?
You should make it a time when you can allow yourself enough time to heal. After
a thigh lift surgery you will have difficulty walking for several weeks. You also
have to make adjustments at your place of work due to pain, swelling and being on
pain medication. On average, patients take 3-4 weeks off work. If you have a physically
demanding job, you may need to take off between 4 to 6 weeks.
Before and after a thigh lift
To reduce bruising and the risk of hematoma, you must stop taking blood thinners
and vitamin E at least one week before and after surgery. If you are on prescription
blood thinners, you may need to get medical clearance from your family doctor as
well as get instructions on how to stop these medications. We also want all herbal
medication and diet pills (prescription and over-the-counter) stopped at least two
weeks before surgery and one week following surgery.
At Heartland Plastic and Hand Surgery of Cape Girardeau, Missouri we requiring the
patient to be in overall good health before the surgery can be performed. If there
are questions regarding your health, medical clearance from your family doctor may
be required.
I’d like to learn more. What should I do next?
At Heartland Plastic and Hand Surgery in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, David Deisher,
MD and J. Stewart Humphrey, MD are board certified by The American Board of Plastic
Surgery. They offer plastic and hand surgery to patients across Missouri including
Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Sikeston Missouri. Your next step is to contact the
Heartland Plastic and Hand Surgery office today to schedule your initial thigh Lift
Surgery consultation! Think of all the questions and concerns you are still are
unsure about so your surgeon can address them. Call us today. Do this for yourself!
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