Tired of wearing jeans and maxi skirts in the summertime? Or maybe you recently hit your goal weight, but the loose skin on your thighs keeps you from fully embracing your new figure. A thigh lift (or thighplasty) removes the extra skin and fat, leaving you looking sleeker, smoother, and more in shape.
But what about thigh lift scars? Are you just swapping one insecurity for another?
Like most patients, you want your transformation to be as inconspicuous as possible. That’s why Dr. Cat Plastic Surgery specializes in contouring your thighs so seamlessly that there are hardly any signs of surgical intervention.
The key? Exceptional skill, proper aftercare, and Dr. Cat’s exclusive scar minimization techniques. That’s precisely what we’re here to discuss today.
Understanding the Different Thigh Lift Scars
Before diving into scar management after surgery, we have to understand the placement and reasoning for different thigh lift incisions.
There are different types of thighplasty procedures. The extent of your thigh lift scars depends greatly on which you receive:
Medial (inner) thigh lift
This is Dr. Cat’s most commonly performed type of thigh lift. In this case, Dr. Cat removes a triangular portion of tissue from the inner thigh (groin to buttock crease to upper leg). This allows her to elevate the skin on your thigh for a tighter, smoother look.
This incision is discretely hidden behind the midline, making it virtually invisible from the front and the back.
Lateral (outer) thigh lift
A lateral thigh lift focuses on the outer thighs and is usually performed with other surgeries (like a tummy tuck or BBL). This is because these incisions can extend, allowing for seamless integration of other procedures.
Incisions for lateral thigh lifts are located near the upper edge of your buttocks, extending down into the hips.
Crescent (mini) thigh lift
In this type of thigh lift, Dr. Cat only removes a thin, crescent-shaped portion of upper inner thigh skin and fat.
These incisions are practically invisible since they follow the natural crease of your inner groin.
Spiral (full) thigh lift
This type of thigh lift targets both the outer and inner thighs and even the knees (sometimes).
For this thigh lift, incisions can run from the groin to the knee along the side of the thigh. However, they can also run from the groin up to the crease of the buttocks, curving back towards the hips.
No matter what type of thigh lift you receive, one crucial aspect makes all the difference in how your scars look: aftercare.
Thighplasty Recovery: Paving the Way to Discreet Results
Dr. Cat’s gentle, meticulous technique allows for a thighplasty recovery that’s both swift and comfortable.
Immediately post-op, you’ll spend your first night recovering in Dr. Cat’s aftercare facility. You may feel some tightness, tenderness, and swelling but no pain. The next day, you’ll be picked up and brought back to her office for your very first post-op check-in.
For the first one to two weeks, rest is essential. You’ll have to walk carefully to ensure healing and lock in your gorgeous thighplasty results. You’ll also wear a custom-fitted compression garment to support your thighs for at least six to eight weeks post-op.
Any rigorous workouts must wait at least six weeks to a month. Don’t worry—you’ll show off your new legs at the gym in no time.
About two weeks post-op, Dr. Cat incorporates her post-operative scar treatment.
Dr. Cat’s Approach to Surgical Scar Care
In addition to a pain-free recovery, most of Dr. Cat’s patients never need laser scar therapy. This is thanks to her comprehensive scar minimization techniques.
It all starts with your thighplasty itself, in which Dr. Cat works through incredibly thin incisions. Once your procedure is done, she closes them in multiple layers for optimal security, and a barely-there scar.
Two weeks after surgery, she begins integrating silicone sheets for scars. These strips keep your surgical site clean, protected, and hydrated. They also help to promote faster healing.
Next, Dr. Cat transitions patients to a scar gel until fully healed. She monitors your scar with every follow-up appointment, adjusting your surgical scar care as needed.
In just one year, your thigh lift scars are almost completely gone. Daisy-dukes, anyone?
That said, there are other factors that could shift this timeline. Let’s talk about how to get ahead of these.
Tips for Maximizing the Scar Healing Process
Dr. Cat’s gentle approach and scar minimization techniques lay the groundwork for seamless results. The rest, however, is entirely up to you.
To ensure your thigh lift scars fade into obscurity, here are some tips you’ll want to put into practice:
Shield your incisions from too much sun
Some people think tanning helps scars blend into their complexion better. However, Dr. Cat warns the opposite is true, emphasizing that fresh scars are highly vulnerable to UV radiation. It’s best to keep your scars out of the sun for at least six to twelve months to prevent them from becoming more pronounced.
Avoid smoking and vaping until fully healed
One of Dr. Cat’s pre-operative instructions for thighplasty (and any procedure) is to quit smoking or vaping for an extended timeframe before and after surgery. This is because nicotine drastically hinders healing and, therefore, the scar-healing process. Beyond aesthetics, it can distort your immune system and leave the door open for complications during/after surgery. No, thanks!
Stay consistent with post-operative scar treatment
Listen, we get it—the thought of applying silicone sheets for scars, then a gel, avoiding sunlight, periodic follow-ups for a year—it’s a lot. But patience and consistency are pivotal when it comes to surgical scar care. Our advice? Don’t book your surgery unless you’re fully ready to commit.
Maintain a healthy diet and drink plenty of water
The food you eat also plays a big part in your recovery. Stick to lean proteins, antioxidant-rich fruits, nutritious veggies, leafy greens, and healthy fats. Drinking plenty of water also supports healing and less noticeable scars.
Review your medications with your surgeon
Speaking of what you put in your body, certain medications can also alter the healing process. Talk to your doctor about any medications you’re currently taking. This can help determine whether you need to pause or change them to lower your risk of compromised healing and scarring.
Balance your expectations and practice patience
Having safe plastic surgery means understanding each phase that comes with recovery. Everyone’s body is different; some heal faster, and others heal slower. Be patient with yourself, be kind to your body, and remember it’ll all be worth it in time.
Dr. Cat Plastic Surgery: Love Yourself with Every Stride
There’s only one definitive way to guarantee barely-there thigh lift scars, and that’s choosing the right surgeon. With a track record of stunning, scar-free outcomes, there’s no better choice than Dr. Cat.
We know how life-changing a thigh lift is, granting you the freedom to wear the clothes you’ve always wanted and live a life that’s even more fulfilling. As for your newfound self-love and confidence? It’s one heck of a bonus.
Enough with the doubts—it’s time to fall back in love with your legs.
